Toledo, OHIO – A group of students from Toledo School for the Arts is making their mark on the national stage as they prepare for a special appearance on Countdown to the Oscars with Robin Roberts. The students, from the school’s Eighth-Period Musical Theatre and Stage Dance classes, teamed up to create a TikTok-inspired video featuring choreography from the popular Wicked movie musical.
The idea for the project came from Amelia Lefevre, the school’s Musical Theatre teacher, who had repeatedly seen the trending choreography on her TikTok “for you” page. Passionate about musical theatre and stage dance, Lefevre saw an opportunity to blend the students’ love for the craft with the viral dance trend.
“We’re just a bunch of musical theatre and acting and stage dance kids, and we love Wicked, we love all things musical theatre, and we love collaborating,” Lefevre said. Her excitement was matched by Cayden Greenblatt, a student intern in the school’s marketing department, who eagerly embraced the idea.
Greenblatt, alongside his classmates, jumped into action. The students spent hours learning the choreography, coordinating the shoot, and planning camera angles. “It was crazy, it was hectic,” Greenblatt recalled. “We were rehearsing, and then it was like, ‘Okay, it’s go time.’ We got it done in three takes, and it was really fun.”
When school administrators informed the students that their video would be featured on Countdown to the Oscars, the excitement was palpable. “We screamed like little fan girls and boys,” said senior Aubrey Herrera-Hess. Senior Bailey Waldon shared the sentiment, adding, “We saw the email, we were like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s amazing!’”
The students’ hard work and dedication were evident in the final product, which Lefevre praised for its energy and precision. “They really nailed it. Their choreography is great, and their energy is great. For us as teachers, that’s like the best feeling,” Lefevre said.
Greenblatt expressed his pride in the project, noting that it was an honor to see something he helped create broadcast on a national stage. The video was largely student-run, with teachers providing guidance along the way.
As the date approaches for the Countdown to the Oscars with Robin Roberts airing at 8 p.m. on February 28, the students of Toledo School for the Arts can look forward to seeing their hard work showcased to millions of viewers. It’s a moment they’ll never forget as they dance their way to the Oscars.