Line ‘n Cue’s production of the Wizard Of Oz is the result of dedicated students and staff

By Kelsey Dwire

March 3, 2024

Line ‘n Cue, the drama club at Colonie High School, is performing The Wizard Of Oz March 14 through the 16, 2024. There will be flying characters and dedicated actors performing. 

 Colonie hired a company from Kentucky to install the flying apparatus and train the club on how to use it over the course of three days. The new technology will be used to enhance the quality of the performance.

“We will be flying monkeys, the witch, we’re flying Miss. Gulch, we’re flying Dorothy, and we’re flying the wizard,” explained Susan Vatalaro, the producer and director of Line ‘n Cue.

The drama club has never had actors fly before, and this creative decision was made by the Line ‘n Cue’s production team.

Colonie student, Dylan Rafferty, said he would like to attend the Wizard Of Oz because it is a classic and he liked the play they put on last year, The Addams Family. 

“Flying adds a more movie-like effect to the production and makes it more realistic,” Rafferty said. 

A lot more moving parts go into producing a play than creative choices like flying. Senior Ceci Perry is a featured dancer and assistant choreographer for Christine Meglino, an English teacher at Colonie. Perry has taken over all the choreographing responsibilities since Meglino has left on maternity leave. The club learned a lot of the choreography early on because she was expecting. Perry has taken on her responsibilities as a choreographer and is thriving in her role according to Vatalaro. 

“It’s a lot of her time, looking at videos, seeing other versions, but really being creative and coming up with her own moves,” Vatalaro said. 

The dedication required by all parties involved in the play and the love for performing is what drives Perry.

“My favorite part is that I’ve been dancing all my life, so I love performing musicals even though I’m not a singer, I love being involved in the community and family-feel of Line ‘n Cue,” said Perry.

The entire process of developing the play begins before the school year even starts.

“It starts in the summer, when we think about which show we want to perform and we apply for the rights,” said Vatalaro.

Many factors go into Vatalaro’s decision for the play each year. 

“A lot of the time it depends on the talent we know we already have,” said Vatalaro.

But the roles are not only limited to girl and boy castings because Vatalaro states that there are many people playing crossroles.

After the auditions begin in September for each role, participating in the play requires a lot of commitment. The practices, starting in November, are typically Monday through Thursday, 3pm to 5pm with Saturday rehearsals from 9am to 1pm. Then, two weeks before the show dates, rehearsals are 5pm to 9pm Monday through Friday including Saturdays. 

“I love our time from 3 to 5 in the afternoon for rehearsals; it goes so fast because we’re having such a good time,” said Vatalaro.

The drama club means everything to Vatalaro. It is another family for her and admires how it can be a place for students to feel like they fit in and can be together.

“To me, the drama club is just a safe, interesting place,” said Vatalaro.

Perry also agrees with the drama club being like a second family. She finds it to be a valuable community to be a part of. 

“It’s very rewarding to put together a show and work so hard for many weeks to then be able to show it to the community and school,” Perry said.

The entire Colonie community, including parents, students, teachers, the art department, English department, and faculty from the office all come together to make this production possible for people to enjoy.