Generations of Magic: Shantel and Charlotte’s Journey in The Wizard of Oz

For Shantel Hendrickson and her 11-year-old daughter, Charlotte, The Wizard of Oz isn’t just a stage production. It’s a thread that weaves together their family’s history, connecting past, present, and future.

Shantel grew up in a home where The Wizard of Oz was more than a movie—it was an annual event. Her mom Jean loved it dearly, likely inheriting that love from her mom and Shantel’s grandmother, Dorothy (NOT the Witch’s Dorothy). Grandma Dorothy collected so much Oz memorabilia, including coffee mugs showcasing the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. Jean, in turn, infused Shantel’s childhood with the magic of Oz, sewing Dorothy costumes for Halloween and watching the movie together every year when it aired on TV.

Shantel wasn’t always into theatre though. In fact, she only stepped onto a stage for the first time last year in a production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Charlotte, on the other hand, has done four GREAT summer camps in the last three years, including Finding Nemo KIDS and 101 Dalmatians KIDS. When Charlotte started doing theatre camps and school plays, something clicked for Shantel.

 “I always wanted to try,” Shantel shared. “So I thought, why not do it together?” 

Being cast together in The Wizard of Oz is a dream come true for both of them. “It’s so fun because we get to spend time together in a new way,” Shantel said. Married with two children, she spent years juggling work, church commitments, and her children’s activities. The pandemic turned life upside down, prompting her to leave work and embrace homeschooling her kids. Though she loved being with her children, Shantel sometimes found herself yearning for a sense of identity outside motherhood.

Rehearsing and performing together has given Shantel and Charlotte a chance to see each other in a whole new light.

For Charlotte, it’s exciting to see her mom not just as “Mom,” but as a vibrant individual embracing her own dreams.

“It’s fun to see her work hard,” Charlotte said. “It’s fun watching her show everyone she’s more than just a mom. She’s really good at this.” For Shantel, seeing Charlotte shine on stage is a proud mom moment. “She’s doing so well,” Shantel said. “Her dance moves are amazing, and she’s making friends and growing more confident.”

Shantel is new to reading music, so learning songs took extra effort. “At first, I felt like I couldn’t do it,” she said. “But I practiced in my closet—just me, my notes, and a lot of determination.” “It’s hard,” Shantel admitted, “but we can do it. Practice builds confidence.” Charlotte faced challenges too. “The dances can be tricky,” she said. But she stuck with it and, like her mom, found that practice made everything click. While they won’t share any scenes on stage, they’re excited to be part of the same show.

“Charlotte even knows my lines!”

For Shantel, stepping into Oz feels like stepping into a shared family legacy. The stories she’d heard about her grandmother’s love for The Wizard of Oz took on new meaning as she and Charlotte prepared to perform in the show. “It’s so relatable,” Shantel said. “Dorothy’s journey is about realizing that everything you need is already within you. It’s a lesson my mom taught me and one I hope Charlotte carries forward.” Charlotte chimed in, her young voice filled with the wisdom of someone who’d grown up with Oz’s magic: “It’s about finding color in a black-and-white world.”

See Shantel, Charlotte and the rest of the cast before The Wizard of Oz closes December 8!