BRINGING BROADWAY TO INGLEWOOD

The Society Incorporated, Los Angeles Chapter, Brings Broadway to Inglewood: A Community Production of EASE ON DOWN THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD at Wilders Preparatory Academy.

Inglewood, CA – May 16, 2025 – In a bold and heartfelt effort to bring high-quality arts programming to underserved communities, The Society Incorporated, Supporting the Arts – Los Angeles Chapter, will present a community production of EASE ON DOWN THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD at Wilders Preparatory Academy on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

Wilders Preparatory Academy, a Black-owned STEM-focused charter school that has served the Inglewood community since 2003, has long committed itself to academic excellence. Yet like many schools in underserved areas, it operates without federal funding for arts education. Recognizing this gap, The Society is stepping in—offering what is often reserved for elite private schools to the children and families of Inglewood, free of charge called the Tri-Arts Program.

When The Society first introduced the idea of the Tri-Arts program to Wilders families through music, singing, and dance, parents were visibly moved. During the presentation, one parent raised her hand and asked, “I just want to address the elephant in the room that no one is asking… What does it cost?” When the response came “It’s free.” the room erupted in applause.

“This kind of program, featuring music, theater, and professional mentorship, is typically reserved for upper-middle-class neighborhoods,” said a representative from The Society. “But our mission is to bring the arts directly to our community. We are not just putting on a show – we are showing what’s possible.”

The Tri-Arts Program, created by Arthur L. Ross, has taken three different musical properties on the theme of Oz (The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, and Wicked) and has combined them all in one production featuring songs from each show in Solo and Choral Arrangements, a fully choreographed Dance number and Acting scenes including Student Narration making this the perfect compliment to a STEM Curriculum now creating STEAM. This production is powered entirely by volunteer artists, including Teaching Artists that are professional dancers, actors, and singers who have performed in Tale of the Lion King at Disneyland Resort, the new musical 44 The Obama Musical about President Barack Obama, and a renowned world class opera singer. Their time and talent are gifts to the children of Inglewood—a testament to the power of community investment.

“We want students to experience the arts not as a luxury, but as a right,” said Arthur Ross, Production Director. “This is about more than a musical. It’s about visibility, opportunity, and hope.”

Wilders Academy offers scholarships to students who cannot afford tuition and have served as a vital academic anchor in the community for over two decades. With this partnership, The Society helps deepen the school’s impact by filling the void left by a lack of public arts funding.

Event Details:

What: Wicked, presented by The Society Incorporated, Los Angeles Chapter

When: Saturday, May 31, 2025

For media inquiries or to learn how to support the event, don’t hesitate to get in touch with ThelaSocietyinc@gmail.com.

Where: Wilders Preparatory Academy, Inglewood, CA

Admission: Free to the public. Donations are encouraged to support arts programming and student scholarships.

The Society Incorporated – Los Angeles Chapter is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting and sustaining the arts in African American communities. Through mentorship, programming, and outreach, The Society works to ensure that access to cultural enrichment is never dictated by zip code.