Having a dog in a live stage show can be tricky. Dogs can be shy or tend to want to do their own thing especially if they haven’t been trained.
But Mary Beth Westbrook, director of Jefferson County High School’s “The Wizard of Oz” is willing to take the chance on a dog who is almost a natural on stage.
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“She’s doing great,” said Westbrook, an Augusta resident and English teacher at the school of her special guest performer, Bella, a 12-year-old miniature Yorkshire terrier who is taking on the role of Toto. “She’s not a trained acting dog or service dog, but she had instant chemistry with our Dorothy. She went right to her when Julie put her down.”
Bella’s owner is Julie Jones, an Augusta resident and English instructor at Augusta Technical College. Jones and Westbrook have been in theater performances together as well as directed one another in shows at different times.
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Although she’s not a trained acting animal, Bella, who has an over-the-top personality was destined to be on stage, according to her owner.
Jones said she got the inspiration for Bella’s name from a Storyland Theatre production, “The Courtship of Senorita Florabella,” where Jones played the role of Florabella.
In 2010, Bella made her stage debut in “You Can’t Take It With You.” She also appeared in a play written by Jones.
In addition to the instant chemistry Bella had with Kara Scarborough who plays Dorothy, she’s done well with the special effects. The smoke and lighting surrounding the Wicked Witch of the West didn’t phase Bella in the least, Jones said.
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So far, Jones said Bella has only had one problem during rehearsals.
Scarborough puts Bella down at one point and tells her to run away.
Bella had other ideas as she nonchalantly meandered off.
“She didn’t follow her blocking,” said Jones.
Westbrook said “The Wizard of Oz” is the third production her students have been in this year.
The students competed in the One Act play competition and won region.
Since the school is in the same region as John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, Westbrook considered it a coup even though Davidson did not compete this year because of the pandemic.
“I have a lot of students who are new to theater,” she said.
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When Westbrook started teaching at Jefferson County High School three years ago, the school didn’t have a drama department. It did 20 years ago, though, she said, and she’s helping to rebuild it.
“The Wizard of Oz” will be performed at 1 p.m. May 22, 3 p.m. May 23 and 7 p.m. May 28 at the school. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for general admission.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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