Oz, a 15 minute oral interpretation of drama presentation (OID), shows how well the Superior High School speech team works together. The team meets for practice three time a week. Right now with all the student activities, that is a commitment.

During IOD performances, members hold a script. They use gestures and vocal changes to distinguish characters. Performances can be up to 15 minutes in length. Teams perform in front of judges twice. If they place, they then perform a third time during finals.

Oz is a spin-off with a twist on the orginal story. It has a deeper meaning than the book version. Beth, played by Jayden Simmons, was in an automobile accident. To deal with her grief she is sucked into the story where the characters teach her lessons on coping. It is a 15 minute production that offers the audience both highs and lows.

Five students take on several roles for the performance. Besides Jayden Simmons, Luka Benjamin plays the Wizard of Oz, the mayor of Oz, a guide and a munchkin. The lion and another guide are played by Tia Hunter. Lacey Langer portrays the scarecrow and the witch. Cassidy Frey plays the Tin Man and a guide.

Two other students play an important role for the presentation. Cassidy Benjamin and Jackson Kuhlman are on standby in case someone is sick or gone. Their job is to step in to the missing person's roles. And that happened at a meet when Cassidy Frey was taken ill before a performance. Never fear, Jackson Kuhlman filled the spot. He found out he was filling in five minutes before show time for the first judge.

Jackson said he had watched the group perform a time or two. He also read through the script. The first performance was a little rough but the second performance went much better. Well enough that the group made it to finals and won first place!

Cassidy Benjamin has had to fill in three times this year also. She learned all of the parts played by Tia and Lacey since there were a few planned absences for other school events. Cassidy said sometimes the job of filling in can be a little nerve-racking. However, she is comfortable with the members and filling in the character roles making it enjoyable for her.

Jayden and Lacey said they enjoy presenting OID because the group blends together as a team. Members are friends and have bonded this year. Judges have also noticed. On several of their evaluations, judges have commented the team works well together.

The Superior Speech Team will host Spotlight on Speech at 6:30 p.m., Saturday. It will be their last performance before district speech contest on March 16. All of the speech events will be presented to the audience with one exception, Jackson Kuhlman, who will be in Ireland. Refreshments will be served.