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Thursday, February 25, 2010
‘Wicked’ performers instruct local students
Two cast members from the musical “Wicked” were having a terrible influence on 20 impressionable area students Thursday morning, Feb. 25.
Through movement and expression, they were coaching them to project extreme dislike of Elphaba, the new green girl in school. The scene was from an Act 1 in the show.
Erin Wilson and Lindsay Wood led the “master class” organized by Broadway University, a program sponsored by the Victoria Theatre Association that connects performers in touring shows with theater students from the community.
“I’m here because I love ‘Wicked’ and have danced for a long time,” said University of Dayton student Christie Back.
The only male, John Griffin, a junior at Alter High School, said he thought the class “would be good for me to see how professionals work. I am a ballroom dancer and actor. I saw the show just last night.”
Wilson is a singer who grew up in southern California. Wood, who is one of only two female flying monkeys in the “Wicked” national tour that plays Dayton through March 7, is primarily a dancer.
Both agreed that the crucial aspect of the show is acting. “Telling the story is of primary importance,” Wilson said. “In this scene, we want to pulverize that green girl.”
Wilson said she marked her one-year anniversary with the “Wicked” tour this week. Her roles in the show include Galinda’s best friend in college and understudy for the featured role of Madame Morrible. She will be playing that part several times the week of March 1.
Wood is a “swing.” She needs to be ready with little notice to jump into any of eight female parts.
Being a monkey that flies came almost naturally to her.
“I must be fearless, because I shouted, ‘Yea!’ the first time I went up. When I was little, I dreamed of being Tinkerbell.”
While in Dayton for three weeks, cast members stay sharp by working out at area gyms and taking classes at the Dayton Ballet, among other studios.
David Brush, Victoria outreach and education manager, said audience members can attend two post-performance talkbacks with the performers. One will be in the Mathile Theatre of the Schuster Performing Arts Center following the Saturday, Feb. 27, matinee performance. The other will be in the Schuster Center donors lounge after the Thursday, March 4, evening show. Ticket information about “Wicked” is available at (937) 228-3630 or www.ticketcenterstage.com.
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