Meet Mikayla Miller, Director of Family Theatre's 'Wizard of Oz'

Mikayla Miller is a Columbus State University College of the Arts student who's already building her resume as a director. A member of the class of 2025, Miller has been in theatre since she was a young child. This week, she'll open the latest production she's directed: The Wizard of Oz at Family Theatre.

Read on to learn about Miller's connection with Family Theatre, and what she hopes audiences will take away from The Wizard of Oz when they see it this month.

Q: How did you get involved with Family Theater?

A: My journey with Family Theatre began in 2013 when I joined the production of The House at Pooh Corner at just ten years old. From the start, I felt an incredible connection to the community. Over the years, I’ve grown with the theatre, not only being offered opportunities most people only dream of but also meeting some of the most important people in my life—including my fiancé. Words can’t fully express how much Family Theatre has given me. It’s truly my home.

Q: Have you directed other shows for Family Theatre before?

A: This will mark my third time directing with Family Theatre. In December 2022, I had the privilege of bringing A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas to life, capturing the essence of Laura Ingalls’ story. This past summer, I took on an even bigger challenge—writing and directing my first original production, The Trail's End: The Story of Bonnie and Clyde, which premiered during our One Act Festival. Building that world from scratch was an incredible experience, and I’m grateful to have not only written and directed it but also played Bonnie Parker alongside some of the most talented people in our theatre. It all felt surreal.

Q: What is your favorite thing about this production?

A:  What I love most about this production is its timeless message. Our production tells the true story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, straight from L. Frank Baum's original book. It's one that has been passed down through generations, continuing to captivate hearts and minds. On the surface, it may seem like a tale about a young girl swept away to a magical world of colorful characters, but at its core, it's so much more. Dorothy’s journey with her friends through Oz is really about discovering the strength within themselves—something that can resonate with all of us. This production is meant to inspire you to embrace your path, no matter how challenging, and to realize that sometimes, everything you need is already within you.

Q: What would you like for audience members to know before they see the show?

A: Get ready to be amazed! This is truly a groundbreaking production for Family Theatre. Our incredible cast and crew, made up of talented people from our own community, will blow you away with their performances. We're also introducing some exciting new elements that will make this production more magical than ever—things we’ve never done before! I can’t reveal all our secrets just yet, so you’ll have to come and see for yourself. We open on October 18th and run through November 3rd. Purchase your tickets at familytheatre.org, and we hope you’ll join us on our journey down the Yellow Brick Road!

If You Go:

What: The Wizard of Oz

When: October 18-November 3

Where: Family Theatre

Get tickets here.