The Center for Black Excellence & Culture and the Children’s Theater of Madison are collaborating to host The Wiz Experience, which will be three sessions of learning about the music, dances and production of The Wiz, the 1978 film starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Richard Pryor.
This experience is specifically designed for Black children in Madison from ages 10-14 who are interested in learning more about Black theater and music. Attendance at all three sessions is not mandatory and anyone interested is encouraged to apply. Sessions will be held at Fountain of Life Church from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The program is free and lunch will be provided to participants. Space is still available for children interested in sessions on Saturday, July 15 and 22. Sign up for The Wiz Experience if using the organization’s registration form.
Dana Pellebon serves as the director of theatrical programming for the Center and has been working for almost two years exploring ways to build a network for Black actors in Madison. She works with the Center to help provide spaces for Black artists to create and do work in the community.
“There has been a dearth of Black art that has happened in Madison for decades,” Pellebon said. “This collaboration is an example of the stuff that they’re going to see coming out of the Center for Black Excellence and Culture, where we are engaging the community and engaging Black artists specifically around work that speaks to the community.”
Laura McMillan serves as the education manager for the Children’s Theater of Madison. She is excited to be working on this production because she knows that many people haven’t heard of the film before. McMillan is eager to bring this experience to the community and help expose Black children to more art like this.
“What they’re signing up for is like a little bit of history on The Wiz,” she said. “They’ll get to hear some of the music from The Wiz and then we get to dive right in and get to play some theater games and get them loose and excited about it. Then we go right into learning some songs and dances from The Wiz.” 
McMillan added that on July 22, participants will get to meet the director and music director of the upcoming CTM production, The Wiz, and have the opportunity to audition for them that day. The production is set to be in October.
Jamal Howard is currently working as the director of The Wiz and has been in theater since an early age. He saw The Wiz as a musical growing up in the Bay area. He is looking forward to working with participants who are interested in learning more about theater, The Wiz, and auditions.
“I’m really excited to see some young talent,” he said. “Just being able to get people who normally wouldn’t come through the door to come in and get to know them.”
“I’m really excited for the message of the show to be given to the entire community of Madison, and especially our young people,” Howard said. “Courage is such a strong theme throughout the show, and this production and the experience will help people have courage.
“By that, I mean telling your story truthfully, out loud with pride, and facing obstacles and allowing people to creatively face the world. I am excited about all of that. I’m in early design meetings right now and it’s very exciting.”
For more information about The Wiz Experience, contact: [email protected].
