By: Kayl Margarette Unida  

     For this year’s All-County Musical in Warren County, PA, Warren Players proudly announced that their eighteenth musical production will be, “The Wizard of Oz.” Auditions and sign-ups were held on Monday, December 15, and Tuesday, December 16 at Warren Area High School, where rehearsals are also held on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00 pm, after the cast list was announced.  

     The cast will be meeting more frequently as opening night nears, with production dates being March 14, 15, and 16 of 2026 at the Warren Area High School. As show dates approach, the cast and crew will prepare for the show, and a full rehearsal schedule will be given out at sign-ups, rehearsals or depending on one’s role. 

     This year, they are inviting enthusiastic performers who are in grades two through eight to join the cast as Munchkins, ensemble members, and even featured speaking roles for the show. For these young actors, this is an amazing opportunity to perform in a large-scale musical production complete with a live pit orchestra, professional sets, and rented costumes. For the students in grades two through eighth, no audition is required to participate, but all high school students are expected to formally audition. 

     The production team consists of Jennifer Check as the Director, Jennifer Dilks as the Production Manager, Rob Pearce as the Vocal Director, and Marcia White as the Conductor. When the director, Jen Check, was asked how she decided on this show, she said, “I was looking for a musical that had a large ensemble that could include younger students, and had several good size principal roles to give more high school students an opportunity to have a nice part…With the excitement and popularity of Wicked, I thought this was perfect show to do so that kids could hear and be part of the story that started it, first the musical and then, of course, the movie.” 

     The cast was announced December 17, and rehearsals will start right when students get back from Christmas break, which is January 5. So, if you are a student, don’t miss your chance to be a part of this unforgettable experience, or come support your local theaters and students who decided to take part in this musical.