NATCHITOCHES – For the last few weeks, two-a-days have had a different meaning for Damian Morris.

The freshman from Ruston is a member of the Northwestern State University football team and has the part of the Cowardly Lion in Northwestern Theatre and Dance's production of The Wiz, which runs Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium.
 
Tickets are $15 and $12 for senior citizens and non-Northwestern State students. NSU and Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts students are admitted free with a current student I.D. For ticket information, call (318) 357-4483.
 
The play is a musical retelling of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the context of African-American culture. Dorothy, the little girl from Robeline, is blown by a tornado into Munchkinland in the Land of Oz. While on the Yellow Brick Road, she meets the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Cowardly Lion.
 
Dorothy defeats the evil witch and goes to see the powerful wizard who
turns out to be a phony. However, he is able to convince Dorothy that she can do
anything she wants if she just believes in herself. The Broadway production won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. A film adaptation was released in 1978.
 
Music and lyrics are by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown. Barry Stoneking is the director.
 
“People do laugh a bit when I tell them the part I have,” said Morris, a 6-2, 250 pound offensive lineman who was a walk on at NSU. “I tell them about the play and they want to come see it. All my buddies on the offensive line will be there. I can't wait to get out there.”
 
This will be Morris' first time to act. At Ruston High School, he was in the choir and performed solos, but he's never had to learn lines and develop a character.
 
“Being in the play has been a learning experience for me,” he said. “Everyone in the cast has been doing plays for years, even the other freshmen. But they have always been helpful and have answered my questions.”
 
Morris has seen the theatrical version of The Wiz several times.
 
“I wanted to be in this play because I saw Michael Jackson play the Scarecrow, but once I read the script, I knew I was more like the Lion that any other character,” he said. “The Lion has a soft heart and he's a mama's boy, but he is a smoother talker than I am.”
 
Morris enjoyed Ted Ross' performance as the Lion in the movie, but he isn't letting it influence him.
 
“I am trying to be my own Lion,” said Morris. “I don't want to be playing someone else. It's like the moves we use in football. There is a certain way of doing things, and then at some point, you have your way. Then the coach or the director will let you know if you are doing it correctly.”
 
The Demons football schedule set up perfectly for Morris as the team has an open date this week, allowing him to play football and act.
 
“It has been hectic. I am on the go all day,” said Morris. “In the morning, I go to class. From 2 until 6, I am a football player. After that, it's on to rehearsal when I am an actor and focus on my lines and playing a character. When rehearsal is over, I do my homework, go to bed and start over.
 
“I can't wait for the performances to start. I am acting because I love it and want to entertain people. I get a lot of enjoyment from making other people feel good.”