As well as being Banner Elk's main Scarecrow, Sean is member of the International Wizard of Oz Club ! He keeps busy in school while still be able to maintain this wonderful activity every year. Thanks once again Sean for all your time and great detailed info on this interview, it is so much appreciated! I talk to Sean just about every week and he's a great guy and much fun to be around.   - Aaron Pacentine


1. How did you get interested in "The Wizard of Oz"?
When I was young, it was the 50th anniversary of the movie. My mother had heard through a family friend that it was never to be released on VHS again (Like every time it is re-released), and she rushed to buy it from a Walden Bookstore (Yes...the bookstore did sell the videos, I remember it vividly, ha-ha). Anyways, I watched it for the first time that day and the rest is history---
 

2. Did you read the books when you were little or just really get into the movie, and start collecting some of the different things?

I can honestly say that I have only read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz when I was in kindergarten. In fact, I borrowed it from the school library, and my mom read it to me everyday before school. Other than that, there have been several attempts to read the other Baum novels, however, I have not completed another. I'd have to say I'm more of a movie- collector, even though I collect anything I can find/afford from both the Oz book series and the MGM movie as well as other related materials.
 

3. Every year up in Banner Elk, NC  the “Land of Oz” Park opens up every first weekend of October during the fall.  You are one of the main cast members, and come in as the Scarecrow. Please explain how you got involved with that :)

I had visited the Land of Oz when I was in 7th grade for the first time, and went every year there after. My freshman year of high school, I was asked to write an article on the Land of Oz for the Baum Bugle. I did as much research as I could at the time, and came across the current owner of the park. Her and I developed a friendship which still lasts until today, and she offered me the role about 5 years ago.


4. How did you actually hear about the Oz Park in North Carolina?

I had bought the Wizard of Oz Collector's Treasury and I saw the pictures of the postcards in there...I later attempted to look it up online, but at the time, not a lot of information was flying around the internet regarding the place. I can honestly say that I don't really recall how I ended up finding out about the Autumn At Oz party- more than likely the International Wizard of Oz club website, or one of the others that have the Ozzy events. I told my mom about it, and we planned a trip to visit it.
 

5. When you first walked onto the path to Oz, at the park and saw the house and the yellow brick road, what was running though your mind?

Well, when I first went to the park, it was one of the earliest times they opened it to the public, so it was nothing compared to how it has been repaired now. I don't remember what I was thinking- I was about 11 or 12- but I just remember trying to piece together everything of how the park was when it was open in the 1970's. That, and I didn't like the Dorothy they had on the Yellow Brick Road at the time (Shhhh)
 

 6. Did it in a way all seem ‘really’ real to you? (even though it was all not….)
 

The only thing that seemed "real" to me was that a theme park like that actually existed at some point. I never thought of it as being a real place or anything of the sort. I knew exactly what it was.

 

7. After going though the park the 1st time, what were your thoughts, and or suggestions for the future to better serve the fans, workers, etc?

Well, I was so young, I didn't have any thoughts or suggestions. Basically, the current owners now are taking better care of it than any fan/worker/etc could ever dream of. They are really keeping up with replacing everything, and restoring what has been destroyed. The place is beautiful now. Truly magical- especially in comparison to what it was almost 7 years ago. They've come a long way, and it's just getting better every year.

8. When you got asked to be the Scarecrow and serve there on production, what were your thoughts? Were you personally,  Shocked at the offer?

I wasn't so much shocked as I was excited. I didn't realize the impact I would have on the visitors until I started doing it.
 

9. How many years have you been involved?

As the Scarecrow, Five.

10. Growing up have you been in any local “WIZARD OF OZ” productions?
 

I was the Tin-Man in 8th grade for our middle school. In 9th grade, I was the Scarecrow in my drama class when we did Wizard of Oz. From Sophomore year until I was a junior, we did scenes from the movie for children's hospitals and the Ronald McDonald House's of the area.
 

11. Do you think you plan on working there every year as the Scarecrow, for the next 3 to 4 years? (unless something better comes along, I bet not, this is fun for you, I know)

I plan on being one of Banner Elk's Scarecrow for as long as I possibly can as long as scheduling permits me to. I've had to go around teachers and incorporate it into my class assignments so I am able to go. They never seem to mind, and it combines both of my loves into one thing, so it's more fun for myself as well.

12. You are currently attending a Fine Arts College in New York City, what are your plans when you finish and what’s your classification/year ? 

I am a sophomore at the School of the Visual Arts. I have been confronted by a few acting agents to sign on to their agencies, and, although I have a love for it, I am going to stick with the behind-the-scenes aspects. I just plan on going out, and getting work in the entertainment industry---whether it is film or tv, I don't have a preference.

 

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