Students help developmentally disabled adults follow the yellow brick road in 'Oz' production

Area high school students have chipped in their expertise in theater and their time to help a group of developmentally disabled adults put on a special performance of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" on Saturday at the Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School auditorium.

Taylor and Chris Marsyla, brothers and students at Cape Girardeau Central High School, and Taylor Palmer, a student at Notre Dame Regional High School, are helping the production in various ways, said Meagan Edmonds, director of the play and cultural arts coordinator for the Association for persons with Intellectual Disabilities.

The students are part of a new group called Sharing Helping Inspiring New Experiences, which provides volunteers for programs sponsored by AID in conjunction with VIP Industries.

Chris Marsyla has composed an original music score for the play, and Taylor Marsyla will play the Tin Man. Palmer will be one of four Dorothy actors. A student from Southeast Missouri State University, Matthew Pirtle, and a graduate of Notre Dame, Megan Glastetter, are also helping the production.

Edmonds said the group, which includes the SHINE volunteers in a cast and crew of around 70 people, have been rehearsing two nights a week since June.

Edmonds said she does not think that getting ready for the play would have run as smoothly without the help of the volunteers.

"If these young men and women are any example of the type of individuals our locals school systems are helping to shape, then we are in fine company and should all feel blessed," she said.

Showtime is 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $2 and can be purchased at any VIP Industries location.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627