DELHI — There’s no place like home—especially when home is the Delaware Academy (DA) stage, where students are putting their own spin on The Wizard of Oz for the school’s 2025 theatrical production. The modernized version of the beloved classic will take center stage on Friday, March 7, at 7 p.m., followed by performances on Saturday, March 8, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m.
The production, a reimagining of the 1939 film starring Judy Garland, retains the heart of L. Frank Baum’s story but allows the student actors to infuse their own personalities and style into the legendary characters. From a fashionable Cowardly Lion to a Tin Man with newfound self-awareness, the Delaware Academy cast is breathing fresh life into the Land of Oz.
A Tin Man with a Heart After All
For sophomore Eveline Ainsworth, who plays the Tin Man, the role is about more than just an oil can and a metallic costume. “He’s just a dude without a heart,” she says, then pauses. “Well, I think he has a heart—he just doesn’t realize it.”
Ainsworth, a seasoned DA drama club member with past roles in Babes in Arms and Charlie Brown, has embraced the role’s nuances. “It’s all about figuring out how to act like a human being,” she says with a laugh, crediting the show’s collaborative energy for helping her develop the character. Her performance of “If I Only Had a Heart” will be a moment to watch.
Outside drama club, Ainsworth is an avid writer, a horseback rider, and a dedicated musician who participates in NYSSMA [New York State School Music Association, an organization that hosts an annual music festival for students in New York state] competitions.
A Wizard with a Grand Ego
Meanwhile, Lucian Bogen, a 10th grade student, has taken on the role of the mysterious and booming Wizard of Oz. “You really have to channel that big, deep energy,” he explains. “You have to believe you’re better than everyone else.”
Bogen, who has prior acting experience at the West Kortright Center, relishes the challenge of creating a character whose voice dominates even when his presence is hidden behind the curtain. “I look at everyone and think, ‘How could they possibly be in the same production as me?’” he quips, slipping seamlessly into character.
When not commanding the Emerald City, Bogen enjoys photography and plays tennis, balancing his artistic and athletic interests.
A Cowardly Lion with a Bold Sense of Style
Ninth-grade student Alanna Dones is putting a stylish spin on the Cowardly Lion. “We’re making him more fashionable—all gold, all the time,” she says. He’s still scared, but he’s got flair, with Dones love of fashion.
Unlike the bumbling lion of the original film, Dones’ version will be more vocally powerful. “Usually, he’s a silly character when he sings, but I actually sing,” Dones said, previewing her role.
A multi-sport athlete, Dones plays volleyball and softball and is considering competing track this spring.
A Scarecrow Who Owns the Stage
For Keiran Synan, a junior, playing the Scarecrow is a dream. “I’ve always wanted to be the scarecrow,” Synan said. Synan has performed in a previous production of the Wizard of Oz, and the scarecrow’s nature is appealing. “He’s [the scarecrow] just so much fun,” Synan said. The role?: “It’s just throwing yourself to the floor and you get to be very silly and light hearted the whole time,” Synan said.
Synan, an experienced performer, brings a vibrant, high-energy approach to the character. “I like to put on a show. I’m big actor and bring that out in my theatrical side,” Synan revealed.
Beyond the stage, Synan is involved in Delaware Academy’s creative writing club, yearbook, and photography club, as well as orchestra, chorus, and NYSSMA.
A Wickedly Good Time
Junior Wilbur Conrow takes on the role of the Wicked Witch of the West, embracing the challenge of playing a villain. “I’m a very optimistic person, so trying to be super evil has been really fun,” Conrow said with a wicked grin.
But is the Wicked Witch truly evil? “She just wants Dorothy to leave,” he said. “She’s misunderstood.”
While Conrow’s character doesn’t sing or dance, Conrow has developed a signature stage presence. “I don’t fly on a broom or a bike, but I strut everywhere I walk—with confidence.”
Conrow is also active in tennis, serves as president of the yearbook club, and participates in creative writing club and student senate.
There’s No Place Like Home
As Glinda, the good witch, Paisley Smith, a sophomore, brings warmth, grace, and a sense of magic to the stage. Her performance captures Glinda’s kind-hearted and wise nature, guiding Dorothy with a gentle but confident presence. She delivers her lines with a soothing yet authoritative voice, making Glinda both enchanting and reassuring. Through her performance, she embodies the essence of goodness and optimism, creating a striking contrast to the Almira Gulch Wicked Witch. Her portrayal helps bring the story’s themes of kindness and guidance to life, making Glinda a memorable and beloved presence in the production. Glinda guides Dorothy home with the iconic words: ‘Click your heels three times and repeat to yourself—there’s no place like home.’ As Dorothy follows Glinda’s instruction, Smith said, she slowly exits the stage, leaving through the ‘goodbye door’ in a moment of quiet finality. The message resonates with Smith on a personal level, she said. Family is my top priority—above all else, she said. “People often ask if I plan to leave the state for college, and while I may, this will always be home. After all, there’s no place like home.”
Supporting Roles
In The Wizard of Oz, supporting roles add depth and energy to the production, with students taking on multiple characters to bring the story to life. Keenan Jaklitsch, a freshman, plays both a “Winky” and a “Tough Kid.” While initially hoping for the role of Scarecrow, Jaklitsch embraced the ensemble parts, finding joy in marching alongside friends in the Winky costume. Seventh-grader students Josie Kelly and Lilianna Biggs, along with eighth-grade student Maddison Naples, make up the “Lullaby League,” a lively and expressive group that adds emotion and energy to the production. Naples also takes on the role of Nikko, the Wicked Witch’s main henchman, - a flying monkey in the original production - channeling a mischievous and mean-spirited character. With diverse roles, students bring a mix of fear, excitement, and fun to the stage. They encourage audiences to attend, promising a playful and contemporary take on the beloved classic.
Backstage
Miles Holland, a sixth-grade member of the stage crew, plays a crucial role in bringing The Wizard of Oz to life.
“The crew moves things around, makes the magic happen, and transports characters to different places,” he explained. While he loves theater and has acted for two years, sixth graders aren’t allowed to be in the cast, so joining the crew was the best way to be involved.
His favorite part of the set is how colorful and lively it is, but the job isn’t without challenges — moving heavy props quickly and precisely without breaking anything is no small feat. Still, he emphasizes that every person, on stage and behind the scenes, is essential to making the show a success.
Where’s Dorothy?
The lead role of Dorothy Gale is played by sophomore Briannah Pringle. The production will be Pringle’s third musical at Delaware Academy. While other student actors were being interviewed for the show’s preview by The Reporter, Dorothy was dodging plastic apples along the Yellow Brick Road while in the angry apple orchard, angling for an oil can to limber-up the Tin Man’s rusty joints.
A Show for the Ages
With its dynamic cast and contemporary touches, Delaware Academy’s Wizard of Oz promises to be an entertaining blend of nostalgia and innovation. The students have not only studied the classic film but are determined to leave their own mark on this enduring tale.
“I love seeing how everything comes together,” Bogen says. “It’s scary, but fun. Nerves make it exciting.”
For these student actors, there truly is no place like the stage—and this Wizard of Oz is bound to be one for the books.
