Blending of Academics, Art & Service Musical Theatre Class Presents The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition

Bro. Jack Ventura, SM, Director of Mission Integration and Ministry Lead for the Marianist Family Encounter Project at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory, FL, sends us this update.

The Marianist Encounters Project responds to the commitment of the Global Compact on Education and the action areas of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform with the gift of our Marianist Charism for the world and considering the Characteristics of Marianist Education. 

On Thursday, April 18, 2024, our Musical Theater class, an academic course offered at CMCP, performed the musical The Wizard of Oz. This production was unique because it was entirely student-directed, designed, and choreographed. It was also their final exam. 

What made this performance special was that it allowed students who had never participated in theatre or Mainstage (our Drama club) productions to have the opportunity in this course to experience theatre during the school day. This unique performance connected academics and art. 

In merging our students’ understanding of the Characteristics of Marianist Education and the goals of the Marianist Encounter Project, especially the commitments to the Global Compact on Education and their commitment to service, the musical theatre class presented the show to 200 students from Nativity Catholic School, our neighboring parish grammar school. Our students understand their commitment to theatre and empowering others through Family Spirit, reaching out to the larger community in a spirit of service, and listening to the voices of children and teenagers as a manifestation of two of the goals of the Marianists.