Dallas ISD and Dallas County Theater Students attend THE WIZ
Posted on September 12th, 2025
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Music Hall at Fair Park
Broadway Dallas and Dallas Independent School District
expand annual district-wide STEAM education program
to reach more schools with more performances
featuring touring Broadway musical
THE WIZ
Dallas ISD and Dallas County theater students and teachers participate in bespoke in-classroom STEAM-based curriculum and attend two dedicated performances of THE WIZ during its Dallas engagement
Presented by The Moody Foundation
with additional support from The Eugene McDermott Foundation, The Chi Omega Christmas Market, Fichtenbaum Charitable Trust, Texas Counter Fitters, H-E-B, Theodore and Buehla Beasley Foundation, Harold Simmons Foundation, Texas Commission on the Arts
and the Dallas Education Foundation
Dallas, TX (September 12, 2025) – Broadway Dallas, Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD), The Moody Foundation, and a consortium of generous underwriters announce the continuation and expansion of the annual district-wide STEAM education program themed around Broadway musicals. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Music Hall in October of 2025, the program has been expanded to two performances for the Dallas engagement of THE WIZ, supported by corresponding STEAM-based curriculum. Originally launched in partnership with Dallas ISD, this impactful initiative will now include students and educators from across Dallas County, building on the strong foundation established by Dallas ISD leadership and their commitment to arts education.
Over the course of multiple weeks, theatre students and teachers from 40 Dallas ISD High Schools and 19 Dallas County schools will participate in specially created curriculum that relates to the production. As part of the lesson plan, all participating students and teachers will attend a dedicated performance of THE WIZ at the Music Hall at Fair Park where the show is playing September 9-21, 2025.
The program was borne of a growing partnership between Broadway Dallas and Dallas ISD, which strives to provide students with access to “the spirit of Broadway” through a wide array of programs and initiatives. This program has previously centered around the national tours of HAMILTON, AIN’T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS, BEETLEJUICE, and HADESTOWN.
The curriculum was developed to prepare students for college and 21st-century careers with an 8-class bespoke curriculum centered around costume and wig design, and includes the supplies needed to execute the project. THE WIZ-inspired curriculum integrates cultural responsivity, technical theatre, and STEM concepts to bring the magic of Broadway directly into the classroom while helping students with core-curriculum support.
Photos by Kelly Alexander Photography
“Live theater has a unique way of inspiring creativity and confidence,” said Ken Novice, president and CEO of Broadway Dallas. “Through this program, we’re not just introducing students to the world of theater, we’re helping them uncover new possibilities for their futures by exploring how their talents can open new doors and lead to opportunities they may have never imagined.”
As we celebrate the Music Hall’s 100th anniversary, Dallas ISD is incredibly proud to expand our vital partnership with Broadway Dallas, bringing the immersive power of THE WIZ and a unique STEAM curriculum focused on costume and wig design to thousands of students across Dallas County,” says LeVonue Brewster, M.Ed., Dallas ISD Executive Director of Academic Enrichment Services. “This integrated approach to arts and STEM education is essential for empowering our students with critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills. Our data shows that it significantly inspires them toward future STEAM and arts careers. By providing these profound experiences, we are not just introducing them to live theater; we are illuminating pathways and affirming that their stories, talents, and futures belong on every stage, in every field.”
The Moody Foundation, a supporter of this program since its inception, is its Presenting Sponsor this year, joined by corporate, foundation, and individual donors supporting Broadway Dallas Education: On Stage, In Classrooms and Throughout the Community.
“The Moody Foundation is proud to sponsor the DISD Days during the 100th Anniversary of the Music Hall at Fair Park,” says Francie Moody-Dahlberg, trustee of the Moody Foundation. “Broadway Dallas’ signature education program brings the magic of live theater into classrooms, and we believe experiences like THE WIZ inspire creativity and opportunity for every child.”
In celebration of National Arts Education Week, September 14-20, 2025, Broadway Dallas proudly presents this program as a cornerstone of the organization’s various arts education initiatives that deliver the spirit of Broadway to all corners of the community through the magic that only live theater can deliver.
About THE WIZ
This groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway—from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and 70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world.
The principal cast includes Dana Cimone, making her national tour debut, as Dorothy, Alan Mingo Jr., returning to the role he originated on the pre-Broadway tour and played on Broadway as The Wiz, also making their national tour debuts Sheherazade as Glinda and Kyla Jade as Aunt Em/Evillene, D. Jerome (MJ the Musical, Hamilton) as the Tinman, Mykal Kilgore (Motown The Musical, The Book of Mormon tour) as the Lion and Elijah Ahmad Lewis (Ain’t Too Proud, Motown The Musical) as the Scarecrow.
The ensemble features Maati Kheprimeni Angaza, Sai Anthony, Joseph Armon Boyd, Aliyah Caldwell, Lawrence Dandridge, Cyniah Elise, Amitria Fanae’, Kaiyla Gross, Gregory Hamilton, Maya Imani, Jesse Jones, Cal Mitchell, Moriah Perry, Leon Ray, Ephraim Takyi, Josh Walker, Lyn Webber, Kameren Whigham, Mikayla White and Chanse Williams.
Featuring a book by William F. Brown and a Tony Award-winning score by Charlie Smalls (and others), director Schele Williams (The Notebook), award-winning choreographer JaQuel Knight (Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies,” Black is King), additional material by Tony-nominated and Emmy-nominated writer and TV host Amber Ruffin (“The Amber Ruffin Show,” “Late Night With Seth Meyers”), Joseph Joubert (music supervision, orchestrations, & music arrangements), Allen René Louis (vocal arrangements, music arrangements), and Emmy Award®-winning music director and Grammy Award®-winning writer, Adam Blackstone and Terence Vaughn (Dance Music Arrangers) conjure up an Oz unlike anything ever seen before. A dynamite infusion of ballet, jazz, and modern pop bring a whole new groove to easing on down the road.
THE WIZ design team includes scenic design by Academy Award-winning Hannah Beachler (Black Panther, Beyoncé’s Black is King and Lemonade), costume design by Emmy Award-winning and two-time Academy Award-nominated Sharen Davis (Ray, Dreamgirls), lighting design by Barrymore Award-winning Ryan J. O’Gara (Thoughts of a Colored Man), sound design by Jon Weston (Parade), video and projection design by Daniel Brodie (Motown the Musical), wig design by Charles LaPointe (MJ the Musical) and make-up design by Kirk Cambridge-Del Pesche (The Piano Lesson). Casting is by TRC Casting Company.
The production also includes ‘Everybody Rejoice’ music and lyrics by Luther Vandross, as well as the ‘Emerald City Ballet’ with music by Timothy Graphenreed.
Based on L. Frank Baum’s children’s book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, THE WIZ takes one of the world’s most enduring (and enduringly white) American fantasies and transforms it into an all-Black musical extravaganza for the ages.
THE WIZ premiered on Broadway in 1975 and became an instant sensation, going on to win seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Ted Ross), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Dee Dee Bridgewater), Best Choreography (George Faison), and in a Broadway first, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Costume Design (Geoffrey Holder). “Ease on Down the Road” became the show’s break-out single, and “Home” has since become a bona fide classic. That original production ran for four years (first at The Majestic Theatre and later at The Broadway Theatre) – and 1,672 performances – on Broadway. A 1978 film adaptation starred Diana Ross, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Richard Pryor and Lena Horne, and marked Quincy Jones’ first collaboration with Michael Jackson. The most recent Broadway revival played from March to August 2024 at the Marquis Theater in NYC.
About Broadway Dallas
In 2022, Dallas Summer Musicals changed its name to Broadway Dallas. Since 1941, the non-profit Broadway Dallas has presented the Best of Broadway to North Texas audiences. Located in the historic Music Hall at Fair Park, Broadway Dallas promotes excellence in live musical theatre with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through education and community outreach programs, while enriching the cultural landscape of North Texas and the Southwest Region.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Broadway Dallas relies on a variety of funding sources to offer affordable ticket prices, preserve the beautiful historic theatre, educate young audiences and develop impactful community programs.
Broadway Dallas gratefully acknowledges the support of our season sponsors, American Airlines and Texas Instruments, as well as our annual fund donors and corporate partners. For more information about Broadway Dallas, visit our website at BroadwayDallas.org.
About Dallas ISD
The Dallas Independent School District is continually preparing its students for college or a career. The district offers a competitive mix of innovative programs, choice programs and instructional initiatives that support the increased academic achievement and the social and emotional development of its students. To learn more, visit www.dallasisd.org.
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