Theater Project Jr. Presents THE WIZARD OF OZ this Month

Seventeen New Jersey young people will present THE WIZARD OF OZ, this year's presentation by THEATER PROJECT JR. Each summer, the program takes students (ages 8 & up) through an eight-week course that culminates in four performances for friends, family and the community. Along the way, students sing, dance, act, build confidence in themselves, make friends and have a wonderful time. The show will be presented at the Hamilton Stage in Rahway, August 11-13

"The kids are thrilled about performing in such a prestigious environment," says the program's director/producer Mary Iannelli,who has helmed the program for over 10 years. "Doing the show in such a beautiful venue really validates their hard work."

Theater Project Jr has been getting rave reviews from parents and children who return to the program year after year. "Mary challenges each of her kids, and every year they learn and grow as actors. Mary has also created a family atmosphere where the kids all look out for one another and enjoy performing together," says one parent. "I just can't say enough wonderful things about the program."

The young people performing in the show are drawn from Union County and beyond by the program's reputation for providing a happy, supportive setting for budding actors. This year's cast includes:

Berkeley Heights: Sasha Raab

Cranford: Miles Burcher, London A. Hodge, Keira Coakley, Kayla Lugo, Danny Pierce, Ashleigh Poszyler

Elmwood Park: Nicholas Koloski

Gilette: Shaye Bundonis

Iselin: Lily Torri

Mountainside: Toby Pasternak

Piscataway: Emma Cusmano, Alexis Page

Rahway: Sharonda Watkis-Davis

Springfield: Adam Kaunfer

Westfield: Gerard Lang, Kayleigh Pierce

The Hamilton Stage, part of the Union County Performing Arts Center, is located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway. Tickets to the production are available at Hamilton Stage Box Office or at www.TheTheaterProject.org.

The Theater Project, a professional theater company presenting events in Cranford, Maplewood and Union, is celebrating 23 years of bringing productions of the best contemporary plays to New Jersey. Their mission is to enhance the cultural richness of the community by producing new or lesser-known plays on challenging themes, by introducing children to the joys of live theater, and by providing avenues for creative expression for New Jersey's playwrights, actors and directors.

For more information on THEATER PROJECT JR, call 908 809-8865 or visit www.TheTheaterProject.org.