Washington-Wilkes students participating in the Briarwood Academy one-act play, The Wizard of Oz, included (from left, first row) Saul Smith, Chase Walker, Adam Hardy, (back row) Lizzie Keen, Sherrer Long, Emily Henderson, and Briarwood choral director Kari Callaway. Six Washington-Wilkes students participated in the Briarwood Academy production of The Wizard of Oz in GISA Region Region 1A one-act play competition last week at East Georgia College in Swainsboro.

The 25 members of the Briarwood high school chorus, under the direction of choral director Kari Callaway, also of Wilkes County, received an "Excellent" rating from all three judges for their presentation of the folk classic, The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum.

"I was so proud of their performance," Callaway said. "They worked hard on the play and on the props, and they did a great job. Plus, they had a lot of fun.

"The audience really laughed, and that was gratifying for us," she added. "It means we're really a success."

Callaway was assisted in directing the production by Libby Foster of the Washington Little Theater Company. The Little Theater also provided costumes for the production.

Cast members included Adam Hardy as the Cowardly Lion, Chase Walker as the Wizard, and Emily Henderson as a Talking Tree. Sherrer Long and Lizzie Keen were among the singers who provided some narration for the play. Saul Smith handled the stage, sound, and lights for the production.