BETHEL - NewArts held auditions for its two summer musicals - The Wizard of Oz and a youth version of School of Rock - over the last two weekends.

NewArts Director Michael Unger, Founder Michael Baroody, Music Director Jeffrey Saver, Associate Music Director Brett Boles, and elementary school liaison Maryrose Kristopik were ready as local students entered the audition area at Walnut Hill Community Church on Saturday, March 5.

Previous NewArts productions have been staged at Newtown High School, but due to planned renovations, this summer's musicals will be presented at the Walnut Hill Community Church auditorium, 156 Walnut Hill Road in Bethel.

Walnut Hill Community Church has been "extremely generous," Mr Unger said, about the new partnership. He added that both NewArts and Walnut Hill Community Church are aligned it the effort to contribute to children's emotional growth.

According to Mr Unger, 250 local students auditioned for parts in either of the two musicals. On Saturday alone, 70 students auditioned.

Mr Unger said on Wednesday, March 9, another day of auditions may be held on March 19, and, if that is scheduled, an announcement will be made on the organization's website, newartsct.org.

Dr Baroody explained, between auditions on March 5, the group was not preparing for "shows," but instead they were auditioning students for art performances, meant to inspire the young actors and actresses to overcome problems. The arts, he said, can be a "microcosm of life," and the goal is to transform students to be ready to take on any challenge in their lives.

According to the organization's website, its mission from the start has been to foster emotional growth for the student participants, along with working to building a "home for our multidisciplinary program, centered on a performing arts venue, which will be based in Newtown, with its doors open to benefit people nationwide."

This will be the fourth year NewArts has produced summer musicals, and Mr Unger said he "100 percent" sees the program's mission helping local students.

"It has exceeded our expectations, and we had high expectations," Mr Unger said.

Past NewArts productions were A Rockin' Midsummer Night's Dream, a special localized version of 101 Dalmatians The Musical, Liberty Smith and Disney's The Lion King, Jr, and Seussical, The Musical.

School of Rock, a brand-new musical based on the famous Paramount film written by Mike White, which starred Jack Black, according to the organization, will run August 5-7. The Wizard of Oz will run August 11-14.

The arts, Mr Unger said, is an incredible environment for growth, and the NewArts program offers a positive and supportive environment for students.

"We want to give these kids the tools to respond to every challenge, with power, authority, kindness, and love," said Mr Unger.

Tickets for the productions will go on sale around the start of June, and an announcement will be made on the organization's website when tickets are available for purchase, according to Mr Unger.

More information about the musical productions and the organization is available at newartsct.org.