A look inside: Cabot House
Pay some attention to that cast behind the curtain
When longtime administrator Susan Livingston died last year, she left a legacy of theatrics at Harvard’s Cabot House. For nearly 30 years, Livingston produced an annual spring production that featured students, senior tutors, House masters, and their families.
This year, Cabot seniors Andrew Howe and Ian Merrifield continued her tradition and will produce and direct “The Wizard of Oz.” For many entertainment groups on campus, the stage in the Cabot Junior Common Room has become a popular performance space. On April 20, 21, and April 26-28, this active spot will feature a production that is a tribute to Livingston’s memory
The making of Oz Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
![‘If I Only Had a Brain’](https://content.news.harvard.edu/gazette/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/012582_cabotauditions_012_500.jpg)
‘If I Only Had a Brain’
Seth Pearce ’12 was the first student to audition for Cabot House’s spring production of “The Wizard of Oz.” He sang “If I Only Had A Brain” for producer Andrew Howe ’12 and director Ian Merrifield ’12. The production casts students, tutors, Housemasters, and Housemasters’ children.
![Audition](https://content.news.harvard.edu/gazette/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/012582_cabotauditions_062_500.jpg)
Audition
Merrifield (left) and Howe review the performer.
![Bewitched](https://content.news.harvard.edu/gazette/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/012582_cabotauditions_031_500.jpg)
Bewitched
Julie Zauzmer ’13 told Howe that she couldn’t sing but always wanted to play the Wicked Witch of the West.
![‘I Could Have Danced All Night’](https://content.news.harvard.edu/gazette/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/012582_cabotauditions_053_500.jpg)
‘I Could Have Danced All Night’
Grace O’Neale ’14 crooned “I Could Have Danced All Night.”
![The waiting room](https://content.news.harvard.edu/gazette/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/012582_cabotauditions_079_500.jpg)
The waiting room
Lea Parker ’15 waited nervously for word on her performance.
![Pure entertainment](https://content.news.harvard.edu/gazette/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/012582_cabotauditions_082_500.jpg)
Pure entertainment
Director Ian Merrifield gets a laugh out of an auditioner’s comment.
![The role of a lifetime](https://content.news.harvard.edu/gazette/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/012582_cabotauditions_091-_500.jpg)
The role of a lifetime
Victoria Yeh ’12 arrived from dance class to audition.
![Judgment](https://content.news.harvard.edu/gazette/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/012582_cabotauditions_105_500.jpg)
Judgment
Yeh chewed a nail waiting to hear Merrifield’s opinion of her performance.
![In between calls](https://content.news.harvard.edu/gazette/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/012582_cabotauditions_164_500.jpg)
In between calls
In the three-hour audition span, there was down time. Howe (left) and Merrifield watch “The West Wing” while they wait.
![Exit, stage left](https://content.news.harvard.edu/gazette/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/012582_cabotauditions_122_500.jpg)
Exit, stage left
Jesse Kaplan was the last to sing on the first day of auditions. Next, callbacks and rehearsals!