Click your heels three times (and show up this week at Essanee Theater) and you’ll find yourself over the rainbow.

The Iberia Performing Arts League’s new play “The Wizard of Oz” opens Thursday. Leigh Simmons, director of the play, chose “The Wizard of Oz” because “it’s a wonderful show” with lots of parts for kids and good parts for older kids, as well.

Most cast members are between fourth grade and high school, Simmons said.

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There are two Dorothies — Katelyn Stelly, 15, and Jacqueline McCarthy, 13. Both tried out specifically for the role of Dorothy, and both mentioned the other kids in the play as the best thing about it.

“The type of people in the theater business — they’re  not your everyday people,” Stelly said.

Tin Man Thomas Owens, 18, has done plays with NISH, but this is his first with IPAL.

“I’ve got to keep remembering I’m not human,” he said. “I get rusty. It’s a different mindset. Think rust, rust, rust. I’m a softy. Even though I don’t have a heart I’m always crying.”

Martin Smith, 18, auditioned specifically for the lion.

“I’m weird and crazy, so the lion’s just like me,” he said.

Scarecrow Ryan Berard, 15, said he could relate to his character more than any other.

Some of the many other characters are Travis Guillory as the wizard, Marie Claire Dekeyzer, 11, who is a cow in a tornado and an “Ozian”, Katelyn Regard, 11, who plays a baby munchkin, Keri Judice, 12, a chorus member, jitterbug and crow, and Spring Deblanc, 16, a chorus member, manicurist, ghost, munchkin and crow.

“There’s a lot of talent here,” said Deblanc, who is performing with IPAL for the first time. “They keep you on your toes.”

The play runs Thursday through Saturday and June 26-29. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening shows begin at 7 p.m. and Sunday performances are at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 at Delaune’s Pharmacy, Paul’s Flower Shop, Accentrics or at the door.