This April, St. Olaf alum Becca Hart ’14 had the wonderful opportunity to play both Emily Gale — Aunt Em — and Glinda in the Children’s Theatre Company’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
This year is the 75th anniversary of the classic play “The Wizard of Oz.” It’s an amazing show about gaining confidence in one’s self, figuring out that what one reaches for in life can be found within one’s self and, of course, the magic of one’s self and of the world as well.
The two Arts and Entertainment Editors of The Olaf Messenger had the opportunity to see all of this magic unfold at the opening night of the production. The magic witnessed by the audience up on that stage was truly breathtaking. From an LED-powered Glinda bubble that glowed pink to musical numbers that blew my mind away, it’s safe to say audience members were holding onto their seats tight. With the excitement the room was experiencing, we all felt a bit like we were about to be lifted up into the air by a twister all the way to Oz, just like Dorothy.
Just follow the yellow brick road to success: St. Olaf alum Becca Hart ’14 stars in the Children’s Theatre Company’s production of “The Wizard of Oz”
In addition to the magical special effects, there was also a great sense of love and adoration for theater in the air. Hart’s face, in particular, was lit up with this notion that she was doing exactly what she should be doing: theater.
“I would not be doing theater at all if it was not for the professors in the [St. Olaf theater] department,” Hart said in an interview with The Olaf Messenger.
Hart explained that the fact that she was not a theater major added to her ability to be in productions on campus. The knowledge that she could study multiple interests while also being in theater was a big relief for her. This structure at St. Olaf helped her do what the College always strives for: find vocation.
This vocation later became her career with the many different roles she has taken on in her time as a professional actress — from Mary Poppins to even Connie from the Effect. Hart stated in an interview with The Olaf Messenger. “Each performance has helped me to become an even stronger actress, whether from St. Olaf and beyond the hill as well.”.
“It can be so easy in my profession for actors to become conceited and have inflated egos,” Hart said. “But when I get to work with the Children’s Theatre, all I do is feel lucky — lucky that I can help the next generation of art come to life.”
So it seems Ole the Lion didn’t leave Hart behind, only followed her to the wonderful world of Oz, where he showed her how to follow her dreams. If Hart could give any wisdom to her alma mater, she would tell them to follow their dreams, and remember the wonderful things they have within them.
