The Summer Youth Theater at the Lawrence Arts Center is off to see the wizard starting this week.

Performances of The Royal Shakespeare version of “The Wizard of Oz” start 7 p.m. Thursday at the Arts Center. The classic musical based in part on the MGM film also has performances at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for all shows are $9.50 for adults and $6.50 for students and seniors.

The Summer Youth Theatre gives young students a chance to learn by doing, learning from professionals in the theater business.