Malachi Wooten returned to the drama department this year and is cast in the row of the Lion in this weekend’s Wizard of Oz.
For Wooten it was, ironically, a summonsing of courage the Lion character so desperately seeks in the now 124-year old L. Frank Baum novel, that led him to seek, and land, one of the leading characters.
As an eighth grader Wooten was involved in the department’s production of Frozen but flatly states “I thought I did really bad.”
Consequently, he did not participate in the productions of the Lion King or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Wooten did return last year for a dual role of a maid and a pirate in the Peter Pan story of Neverland.
“I joined show choir last year and Doug (director Sanders) really wanted me to do something in the play,” said Wooten.
A year later Wooten has flourished, Sanders said.
“Malachi is very gifted. He’s done a really good job of acting,” said Sanders. “He was very shy and wasn’t sure of himself at first so he would be in the plays, so finally when he did it he decided it was fun and he liked it.”
Audiences typically like him too and he says for the song about being the king of the forest, “I think the crowd is going to like it when I sing that song. I’ve got a little something planned.”
Including that vocal number, once the Lion appears with Dorothy he is a mainstay.
“It’s a while before I’m introduced but pretty much every scene after that I’m in it and I’ve got at least a couple lines,” said Wooten.
Creating the costume for the Lion included using an old Bearcat mascot costume as the base with the addition of a wig and some paws, said Wooten.
Besides the drama department Wooten is involved with the advanced band (trumpet), the BETA Club, and show choir, in addition to his six classes, including AP classes, keeping him at school most of the day, atypical for most seniors.
Wooten does not see his senior year production as an end to the stage.
“In the last couple years I’ve been more attracted to acting,” said Wooten. “My plan is to go to college and get an anthropology degree, but while I’m at it I kind of want to join local theaters and see if I can get an agent. I love acting.”
The degree, and therefore theater plan, will take Wooten to the University of Central Arkansas and the Conway area stages.
Wooten is the son of Leroy and Marilyn Wooten. Leroy Wooten is also a theater alumnus for BHS and is credited with helping guide Malachi to the stage.
“My dad did the plays when he was here in high school,” said Wooten. “When we watch movies, or listen to musicals, he sings and acts out the parts and tells me how he would do it and it kind of sparked my interest I wanted to do it myself.”
Wooten’s sister, Zoe, an eighth grader, is also following along with two supporting roles in this year’s production.
In the last few rehearsals before private performances for elementary, junior high and senior high students the cast will be busy fine tuning.
“I think we’ve finished most of our props, but we’re still trying to figure out how we’re going to move them around during the play and keep the time down,” said Wooten.
Public performances of the Wizard of Oz are set for 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults and are available in the high school office or at the door.