The Wiz is an enduring piece of musical theatre, which has stood the test of time with its message of believing in oneself and themes of Black joy.  At the center of this narrative are the four friends, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion.  Together, these iconic characters journey through Oz to find the things they think they need most. 

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The Wiz, as directed by Ansley Valentine at Kent State University, took on an Afrofuturist concept, reinvisioning Oz as an Afrofuturist realm for Dorothy to visit.  The aesthetics of Afrofuturism were blended with the creations of the Black Arts movement of the 1960s and 1970s and the Harlem Renaissance to create the visual landscape of Oz.

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This piece of work highlights Abbie's love for heightened character costumes, especially those for humans playing animals.  The Lion's costume (shown above) is one of Abbie's all-time favorite creations.