To make a show as ambitious as “The Wizard of Oz,” students assist with every element. The sets, the props, the costumes, and of course, the acting: Central students must be creative and hardworking as they do their part to create a musical. The role of assistant director is one that audiences may not directly see, but their effect will be surely felt. 

Junior Nat Remington will be assistant directing Central’s fall production of “The Wizard of Oz.” He has been involved in the drama department since his freshman year, working as both an actor and member of tech crew for several productions. 

“My favorite has been the musical last year. I played Schwartzy in the ‘25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ and that was incredible,” Remington said.  

As an assistant director, Remington will be working with drama teacher Scott Mead. He will be assisting with blocking, leading warmups for the cast, ensuring everyone is present and has their scripts, and keeping tabs on the rehearsal process. His role includes being a student leader among the cast and assisting anyone who is struggling with line memorization. 

“My brain, whenever I get a script, I just have an image of how it goes in my head, I immediately start to plan it out,” Remington said. 

Remington’s interest in directing dates to his early experiences in drama. He attended a summer production camp at the Rose Theater when he was eight.  

“The director came up to my mom after the show and said, ‘Nat has a little director’s brain.’ I realize now that the entire time, I was suggesting ideas for this scene or how to block it, but I didn’t realize that I was being a director,” Remington said. “Now that I do, I’m like, this is fun!” 

Remington is excited about the upcoming production, and the opportunities that “The Wizard of Oz” provides theatricality. “I’m most excited for the scene where the witch throws the fireball at the scarecrow,” Remington said. “I want to see our set and our props. I want to talk to Mr. Mead and give my ideas, see how we do the special effects that have to happen to create magic.” 

“The Wizard of Oz” will be performed in the Central auditorium on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. 

“There are so many things that make it so fun,” Remington said about the production. “Everybody is so passionate about what they’re doing, and we all want to put on the best show possible. When you get to see it on the stage at the very end, everyone’s doing their little tiny parts and putting it together to make this spectacular incredible show.”