Hawaii

From trash to theatrical treasure: UH students bring Oz to life

University of Hawaii News·Oct 22, 2026 · 4:44 PM CT
Read the original at University of Hawaii News
Readthrough summary

Students at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are turning everyday trash into costumes and puppets for The Wizard of Oz, running Oct. 23–31 at Kennedy Theatre.

Director and MFA candidate Jack Romans set the classic in a world inspired by a landfill. Plastic jugs, old VHS tapes, balloons and cutlery become costumes and props.

Costume design professor Maile Speetjens said it has been rewarding to watch students problem-solve with unconventional materials so the costumes are wearable and durable. Alumna and puppet designer Jill Jackson built the Cowardly Lion with a head of plastic water jugs and toenails from hangers, and gave Toto a skeleton of plastic pipes and bolts.

Summary written by Readthrough from the original article. The full story, with photos and any updates, is at University of Hawaii News.

Read the original at University of Hawaii News

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