VIDEO: 'Wizard of Oz' Cast Becomes Pen Pals With Johnston Fourth-Graders

One group of students got a special sneak peek of the production of this week.

Eric Shepard's students teamed up with district fourth-grade students to create the Theater Pals Program.

High school cast members spent time visiting fourth-grade classrooms across the district to read to students.

In return, the students provided the first audience for the musical on Wednesday afternoon.

"After seeing the show, the kids (fourth-graders) get to write a letter to anyone in the cast they want to," Shepard said. "It creates a pen pal situation."

The cast members will then write a letter back to their admirers.

The program aims to encourage reading and writing.

"It's neat to see them get excited about them," Shepard said.

Emma Henry, a senior who plays Dorothy, said it was fun to see the kids interested in the musical.

"It's really nice to have an audience, it gets us really energetic," she said.

Tickets go on sale today for The Wizard of Oz performance at Johnston High School.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the JHS Accounting Office from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Tickets will also be available 30 minutes prior to each show.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 21 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 22.