Although set in Kansas, The Wizard of Oz has significant ties to Chicago. In this talk, Kelli guides audiences beyond the Emerald City and into real-world locations where Oz took shape. 

Through HD video footage, historic photographs, and expert commentary, participants:

• “Travel” to a Chicago-area park honoring Oz characters

• Stand outside the site where L. Frank Baum wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

• Explore theatrical spaces where Oz first captured American audiences

Designed for curious adult learners, this interactive hour blends literary, stage, and film history with public art and architecture. Attendees leave with a deeper understanding of how a Midwestern city helped launch one of the most enduring stories in American popular culture, and why Oz’s journey from page to stage to screen still matters today.