Students from San Antonio, Texas ‘ease on down the road’ to see ‘The Wiz’

Earlier this year, The Wiz came to life on the Majestic Theatre stage in San Antonio, offering students from IDEA Carver and Harry H. Rogers College Prep Middle School an unforgettable Broadway experience. Thanks to the theatre’s Creative Learning initiative, 120 sixth-grade students, many experiencing live theatre for the first time, were invited to venture over the rainbow, in this reimagined, soul-infused adaptation of The Wizard of Oz.

The program was designed to ensure access for students from communities where over 80% qualify for free school meals. Supported by the Majestic Theatre’s Creative Learning Director, Alex Snell, the initiative went beyond the performance itself. Students participated in a post-show Q&A with the cast of The Wiz, where they asked thoughtful questions about storytelling, performance, and perseverance. They also took part in a Theatre Careers Talk, gaining insight into the many paths that bring a Broadway production to life, from lighting and sound to stage management and design.

For the students, the experience was nothing short of inspiring and they related to many of the characters.

‘A character in the play that I relate to would be Dorothy. In the beginning she expresses to her Aunt about how she feels as if she does not belong,” one student shared.

Another described the wonder of the production:

‘It was amazing and so were the lights. The singing was beautiful, and it showed me just how amazing the theatre can be. This show makes me want to bring my entire family out so they can experience the same things that I did.’

The story’s message of courage and self-belief deeply resonated with the audience:

‘I related to the main characters, because just like them I’m chasing a dream. It inspired me to keep going. Even though they didn’t accomplish their dreams via the means they hoped for, they were able to accomplish them in the end through perseverance.’

For these San Antonio students, The Wiz was more than a musical, it was a celebration of imagination, resilience, and the power of seeing yourself reflected on stage. Through partnerships like this, the Majestic Theatre continues to open doors to the arts for young people across the city.

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