Red Bank Regional Summer Academy Journeys to Oz

With its theater being renovated, Red Bank Regional turned to the Count Basie Theatre to help host its annual summer show. Under the lights on the area’s most iconic and historic stage, middle school students participating in the Summer Academy for the Performing Arts presented their production of Wizard of Oz to a packed house Thursday night.

Selling gift basket raffle tickets prior to the show, Red Bank Regional’s Visual and Performing Arts Fundraising Committee Chair Melinda Wagner-Rosen said the program, now in its 11^th year, provides an outlet for students entering grades sixth through nine in the district.

Not only did students perform on stage, many also assisted in designing, constructing, and painting the set. In the lobby of the Basie, students also presented paintings, sculptures, and other visual arts.

“The program is designed to introduce middle school students from the greater Red Bank area to the visual and performing arts,” she said. “Not every child wants to be on stage, that’s why there’s something for everyone.”

RBR Theatre Teacher and play director Joe Russo said the students work hard to put on the play. The five-week program is broken up into separate parts, including several weeks of art instruction and finally weeks dedicated to practicing and putting on a play. Performers have just two weeks to learn their parts and get ready for their performance.

“The kids are great and it’s great to work with them,” he said. “So many kids over the years have come through this program and then gone on to participate in the high school (visual and performing arts) program.”