07/12/2026
One month ago today, we lost an integral part of The Spirit of Oz family. Roxanne Price was the mother of our founder/owner and she was one of the biggest cheerleaders we've ever had.
Roxanne was our cast's original Wicked Witch of the West in 2005, stepping in last minute when the original actress came up against schedule conflicts. A year later, she jumped into the Lion costume briefly to cover a staffing gap. And about a decade later, she'd return to performance as the Wicked Witch of the East at a special Halloween event.
She far preferred behind-the-scenes and support roles though. She made costumes and props, worked as a handler, and generally brought the Oz spirit to life. She also loved making custom Oz attire for herself like shirts, hats, and decorated shoes. Those who participated in the Chesterton Oz Festival's annual auction might also remember her competitive spirit.
But perhaps the most important role she played was Cast Mom. Our company started when most of the cast was in high school and she would serve as a parent and chaperone on our trips - making sure everyone was fed, stayed hydrated during long events, etc. She was affectionately known to many of "OzMA," a nod to her motherly energy and the queen of the Emerald City.
We hope you are resting over the rainbow, OzMA. The Yellow Brick will always feel empty without you.
What Ray Bolger said of Judy Garland at her funeral seems appropriate here too: "She didn't die of anything. She just plain wore out."
