OXFORD – Marissa Turmenne has been well prepared for her role as the Wicked Witch of the West in the Oxford Elementary School drama club presentation of “The Wizard of Oz.”

Her family had told the sixth-grader that she was a drama queen, and she had plenty of experience at being evil – by yelling at her older brother.

“My favorite part is the melting scene,” Turmenne said.

The challenge: In the play she has to be enemies with Glinda, the good witch, and eventually guide her toward a scalding death. Glinda is played by Maggie Staples, who is Turmenne’s real-life best friend. While reading lines, the girls said it’s hard not to laugh.

Under the leadership of fifth-grade teacher Melissa Guerrette, 57 students in grades four to six are putting on the play. The final production is at 6:30 p.m. March 29 at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in Paris.

This is the first year the school has had a drama club, although Guerrette has worked with her classes in the past to put on plays.

Guerrette said she has had a lot of support from staff, parents and the district for the play, and getting funding.

Getting royalties to produce it was a challenge, Guerrette said. She was able to finally get the script from Tams-Witmark, a professional screenplay company. They warned her against doing the play with a bunch of kids, but she pushed on.

Students will also help with the play by preparing scenery and music, Guerrette said.

In January, the students will take a field trip to watch the Portland Players put on “The Wizard of Oz,” and they will be able to speak with the actors afterward.

Of about 20 girls who tried out, sixth-grader Hannah Lyon got the part of Dorothy, the lead. Lyon said “The Wizard of Oz” is a favorite movie. It’s hard learning all the lines, she said, since she’s in every scene. However she said she likes being a hero to all the Munchkins.

On Tuesday, students practiced the scenes from where Dorothy lands in Munchkinland up until the point where she skips off with Scarecrow. During the scenes Guerrette interrupted with instructions. A chorus of Munchkins sang the classic songs “We Welcome You to Munchkinland,” “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead,” and “Follow the Yellow Brick Road.”

Although Toto at this point is imaginary, Guerrette said she’s not sure how to cast him yet, she’ll either use a stuffed dog or have a child play the role.

During the Scarecrow scene, Guerrette instructed actor Kane Williamson on how to fall in such a way that the audience can see him and that it is in sync with his lines.

After the first song Guerrette told the Munchkins to sing with more emotion. Dorothy is their hero, she told them, so they should be singing the first song enthusiastically.

“I’ve got little Munchkins who are afraid of everything,” she told them.

She praised Turmenne for her expression while reading the classic line: “I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too.”