Susibeth Elisarraras takes a deep breath before she describes what it's like to get a play off the ground in just three weeks.

"It's like having a long birth," she said, laughing. "The pain, the agony, but the reward is absolutely worth it."

The Edinburg school district's Fine Arts department is holding its first summer theater workshop.

Nineteen students from the district's three high schools are coming together for the first time on stage this weekend to perform The Wiz, a musical version of The Wizard of Oz in what has become the district's most expensive performance to date.

Elisarraras said the three-day production is costing $20,000.

This is the first time the fine arts department joined in the district's summer gifted and talented camps.

She said the department's new director was looking for more opportunities to take the district's theater talent to the public. She said The Wiz will appeal to both adults and children.

Elisarraras said the play was put together from choosing a script to opening night in just three weeks.

"It's hectic, it's busy, but you are creating a world," she said.

Students have been rehearsing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

A recent practice shows the crew is a little rough around the edges, but has made tremendous strides in the short time they've worked on the script.

The four students playing the lead roles bring an unexpected, sophisticated air of comedy to the performance and know how to breathe life into their characters as soon as they are introduced on stage.

Ayssette Muñoz, 17, from Edinburg High School, plays Dorothy; Kurt Cruz, 16, from Edinburg High School, plays the Scarecrow; David Zapata, 16, from Edinburg High School, plays the Tin Man; and Milo Salinas, 17, from J. Economedes High School, plays the Lion.

The students will perform the show at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday in the Fine Arts Auditorium at the University of Texas-Pan American.

Tickets are only sold at the door, which opens 45 minutes before performances. Adults are $3 and children older than 5 years old are $1.

All proceeds to go to begin a fine arts scholarship fund for the district.

Jackie Leatherman covers Hidalgo County government and general assignments at The Monitor. She can be reached at (956)
683-4424.