PENDLETON — Put away the ruby red slippers because this Dorothy has ruby red pointe shoes.

Pendleton Ballet Theatre presents “The Wizard of Oz” this month at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton.

“‘The Wizard of Oz’ is probably one of the most beloved stories, full of humor and love and hope,” PBT Director Julie Sneden Carlson said. “It’s heartwarming in every way, and it’s a great chance for our audience to see so many dancers in roles that are not just tutus and tiaras.”

Although the format may be different, the ballet of the Wizard of Oz follows a story and characters most people will recognize. The story, for example, still stars Dorothy (Alli Sauer), a girl from Kansas who suddenly finds herself in the Land of Oz.

“I am playing Dorothy, and I’m really excited,” Sauer said, all smiles. “It’s a very happy show, very uplifting, the characters are really kooky and fun, and I think people will just really enjoy watching it.”

On her travels through Oz, Dorothy is tormented by the Wicked Witch (Samantha Mahaffy) and befriended by her new friends the Scarecrow (Cori Jo Lindsay), Tin Man (Tirion Speakman) and the Cowardly Lion (Kallie Campbell).

This is Mahaffy’s third time playing the Wicked Witch in PBT’s “Wizard of Oz.”

“I really enjoy getting to play a character that is completely opposite of me and wicked,” she said. “It’s fun getting to play it a third time because I feel like I get to add on to everything from years past.”

When trying to channel her wicked energy, Mahaffy said she likes to play internal dialogue.

“When I’m going up to Dorothy, I’m thinking, ‘I want her shoes, those are my shoes,’ and things like that. I draw a lot of inspiration from movies, wicked characters I enjoy,” Mahaffy said. “I also feel like she is wronged in this show. I mean, Dorothy drops a house on her sister, and then she’s portrayed as the bad guy. I think it’s a good perspective to think about why the wicked witch is so upset.”

Supporting the Wicked Witch is the Flying Monkey King, played by Dagny Speakman.

“It’s a very creepy character that loves antagonizing everyone, except for Her Wickedness,” Speakman said. “It’s a very fun role to play because you get to be a bit of a jerk. I think of naturally creepy things like slow movement that pulsates and sudden, sharp movements.”

One of the people Speakman antagonizes is the Scarecrow, played by Cori Jo Lindsay.

“It’s a lot of fun because usually I get to do the more elegant roles, but this time I get to be more floppy and act a lot. It’s a lot different than what I’ve done in the past, and that’s been fun to explore,” she said.

When PBT last performed “The Wizard of Oz” in 2018, Lindsay played many small roles — a beautician, a crow, a poppy — but is now playing one of the principal parts. Dagny Speakman played a munchkin in that performance alongside his younger sister, Tirion. In 2024, Tirion Speakman has a solo and pointe work as the Tin Man.

Although some of the dancing is difficult, Tirion Speakman said she really enjoys the Tin Man’s character.

“I love how the character is very loving and can be really kind,” she said. “My character kind of protects Dorothy.”

Rounding out Dorothy’s four friends is the Cowardly Lion, Kallie Campbell.

“I really like this character because it’s allowed me to broaden my acting skills,” Campbell said.

The four friends said people who attend the ballet should watch for some of their interactions with each other, especially while they are in the background. They also recommended people come see the show in order to see “The Wizard of Oz” in a new way.

“I think people should come see this ballet because when people think ‘Wizard of Oz,’ they think of the movie or the play, they don’t usually think ballet,” Campbell said.

The Wizard of Oz shows begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 23, and Friday, May 24, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 25. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

Ticket presales will be available from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at the PBT Studio, 427 S. Main St. Ticket sales are cash or check only. Unless a show sells out, tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

“Anything PBT does is incredible,” Mahaffy said. “Come see the show, it’s fantastic.”