Variety kids making a big impact backstage

Mia, who will turn 11 in September, is an outgoing girl who loves anything having to do with the stage. Variety Children’s Theatre is the place for her! Mia is thrilled to serve as assistant to Marty Strohmeyer, assistant director of The Wizard of Oz, showing Oct. 21-23. She is getting to know the workings of musical theatre intimately, as she attends rehearsals to help out in any way possible.

Mia has spina bifida and uses a walker or wheelchair to get around, but that doesn’t slow her down as she moves back and forth between rehearsal studios, follows the script and staging, and keeps notes just like any other director involved with the show. She arrives with a focused, all-business attitude each evening, ready for the work that awaits.

She is one of eight Variety children serving as assistants to the professional directors and designers working with The Wizard of Oz, from producer to sound and lighting designers. They play an integral role in the production, while learning valuable skills they will likely use throughout their lives – whether it's backstage, onstage or separate from musical theatre altogether.

Alex decided to assist Musical Director Greg Schweizer, so he – a budding pianist – could learn from an expert while working on a professional show. After a long struggle with cancer of the bone, which ultimately took his leg, Alex is choosing not to dwell on any limitations and instead celebrate life by determining activities that will make him happy. He decided to teach himself to play the piano.

Equipped with a prosthetic leg provided by Variety, Alex is about to start high school – and he can’t think of a better extra-curricular activity than assisting with Variety Children’s Theatre.

Mia and Alex are both new to Variety Children’s Theatre, but the production crew has some veteran assistants, as well. Zack, Caleb and Mallory are now working on their third show together! Mallory and Zack have been the assistants to Executive Producer Jan Albus and Sound Designer Rusty Wandall, respectively, for all three shows. Caleb assisted Acting Coach Jill Kranzberg for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in 2009, and is now in his second year of backing up Director Lara Teeter.

They learn more each year, and have experienced first-hand how exciting it is to watch a show come together.

For more information about Variety Children’s Theatre and The Wizard of Oz, visit www.varietychildrenstheatre.org.