REMINDERS FROM THE FRIDAY 11/14 BLOG POST:
📣 Updated Callback Schedule & Dismissal Times
Tuesday, November 18
3:30 PM – 7:30 PM*
NEW INFORMATION----->At 3:05 pm, students will be dismissed from the study hall and escorted to the Lower School, where they will have the opportunity to snack, change clothes, have their callback numbers pinned on, and warm up for callbacks. At 3:30, callback material will officially begin!
CREW MAY COME FOR ANY DURATION OF TIME ON TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY!
Callbacks: Round 2 & Final Callback Considerations
Due to the number of performers we still need to see for a wide range of roles,* we are extending 11/18 Tuesday’s callback to a 7:30 PM dismissal window, with some students staying later depending on role combinations we need to see. THIS HAPPENS IN REAL TIME
- The first wave of auditioners will likely dismiss around 6:00 PM.
- We will dismiss auditioners in real time as soon as we have seen everything we need from each student. WE CANNOT GUESS AT WHEN YOUR CHILD WILL BE DONE
- Auditioners should have their cell phones with them at callbacks so they can notify their rides when they are finished. They will need to check them in with Mrs. Simpson in the morning at MS and then retrieve them at the end of the MS day before taking the bus to LS.
- Students may remain in the arts wing or theatre while waiting for a ride once they have been dismissed. They may stay as late as 7:30 pm.
- Pick-up will be at the carpool lobby doors—the first set of double doors under the Cone A/B awnings.
Important: It is essential to the casting process that all auditioners attend Callback Round 2.
We will examine actors and singers in various combinations—pairs, trios, and full-group scenarios—to help us best place each student.
📅 Wednesday, November 19 – Final Callback
- Exact times: 3:40 PM – ~7:30 PM
- Not every auditioner will be needed for the full duration.
- We will communicate on Tuesday evening which students are needed on Wednesday, and for how long.
📘 Callback Material
Please review the material carefully and begin preparing. In the meantime, please review the lengthy and important callback post from earlier this week again. Everything you need to know about how to deliver a successful callback and create characters through face and body is in that post! 😊 CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THAT POST!
🍎 Food & Snack Guidelines
To ensure a smooth callback:
- Please do NOT drop off food during callbacks.
- If a parent needs to drop off dinner, all food drop-offs must happen between 3:00 and 4:00 PM at the LS front desk/Mrs. Janice's desk.
- There is no one at the front desk after 4:00 PM to open the door or receive deliveries.
- Delivery services are not allowed due to security protocols.
- Students should pack snacks and a light dinner if they are not receiving a drop-off before 4:00 PM.
Thank you for helping us keep the evenings running safely and efficiently!
📝 Reminders for All Families
- Please submit your Callback Interest Form ASAP if you have not already.
- Please turn in your conflict calendar by next Tuesday if you have not already.
- Casting decisions are made based on each child's conflict calendar. We must have one on file for each student.
- All parents and students must sign up for REMIND so you never miss urgent updates or changes. You can sign up for Remind on the left side of the blog or click HERE.
- Please read every blog post in full. All musical communications are housed on the Shrek Jr. Blog Homepage.
Thank you all for your flexibility, support, and enthusiasm. We are thrilled to continue this process with such an extraordinary group of young performers. Next week is going to be amazing!
Warmly,
Ms. Kendrick
'📘 Callback Material
Below is the exact material we will be working with during Callback Round 2.
✅ We will continue working with this material on 11/18 and 11/19.
EVERYONE will JOIN US on 11/18. you will be told on 11/18 if you need to come back on 11/19.
🟢 Scenes & Songs by Character/Group
we will NOT be performing the entire scenes oR songs from the MATERIAL BELOW, but it is important to be familiar with the full material
.
We will be performing 30-SECOND TO 2-minute portions of songs and scenes.
(Hint, Hint….you should click on these sides below and practice some of them BEFORE YOUR AUDITION!)
Shrek + Storytellers
- Pages 1–8
- Song: Big Bright Beautiful WorlD
Mama Ogre & Papa Ogre- Solo sections from Big Bright Beautiful World
Farquaad and Gingy Scene
Farquaad
- Song: What's Up Duloc Pt 2. (Please know Farquaad's solos)
All Three Fionas (Young, Teen, Adult)
- Full long version of I Know It’s Today- this is located in several places on the blog to the right of this post! Please look under the song, dance, & script tab.
Fairy Tale Creatures
(Characters: Farquaad, Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Pinocchio, Mama Bear, Baby Bear, Big Bad Wolf, Peter Pan, Ugly Duckling, Gingy)
- Pages 87–90
- Song: Freak Flag
DraGON, Donkey & Knights
- Pages 51–58
- Song: Forever (Dragon)
Fairy Tale Creatures + Captain of the Guards
- Page 10
- Song: Story of My Life
Shrek, Farquaad, Fiona & Bishop
Shrek & Fiona (Duet Scene)
- Song: I Think I’ve Got You Beat
Fiona Solo
Donkey Solo
Shrek
- Song: Big Bright Beautiful World (Reprise)
🎭 Callback Expectations & Reminders
Take direction.
Make bold, specific acting choices. USE YOUR FACIAL EXPRESSIONS & YOUR EYES- THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTaNT ASPECT OF YOUR AUDITION!!!!1
Speak slowly, loudly, and clearly.
Know your who, where, what, and why for every scene or song.
💥 Character Movement & Expression Matter Most
This show is full of big personalities and physical comedy. We are watching closely for:
How you walk, stand, react, gesture, and move
How clearly your face and body show emotion
Whether your movement matches your character’s energy and personality
Do your homework!
- Watch Shrek (movie) or Shrek the Musical (Amazon Prime / YouTube). Notice:
- Donkey’s bounce and endless energy
- Fiona’s shifting posture (princess vs. ogre)
- Shrek’s grounded, heavy stride
- How characters act with their whole bodies and faces — even in silence
- ➡️ This is not a “stand and sing” show. We want full-body acting, expressive faces, and physical storytelling.
👟 Attire for Callbacks
- Hair pulled back and away from the face.
- You may change out of uniforms upon arrival.
- Wear clothing you can move in and that makes a strong, memorable impression.
- No jewelry on wrists or hands.
- Shoes you can move/dance in: sneakers, flats, jazz shoes, character shoes.
- ❌ No Uggs, boots, flip-flops, or Crocs.
🎒 What to Bring
- Water bottle
- Your phone (to contact your ride)
- Script (if you already received one)
- Pencil
- Snack or light dinner
- A great attitude! 😊
REMINDERS!
As a helpful guide to characterization and acting, we again encourage everyone to watch the Original Broadway Cast perform SHREK on stage! It is available on Amazon, or you can find it linked
HERE! This is an AMAZING RESOURCE TO USE TO CREATE CHARACTER-DRIVEN MOVEMENT AND STAGE BUSINESS.
SHREK THE MUSICAL is a highly character-driven show featuring many fairytale creatures we all know and love. Don’t be afraid to throw yourself into the character you’re auditioning for; you can’t go too far! Character voices and dialects are necessary to make casting decisions, so make sure you commit to everything you do during your audition!
When you’re singing, whether it be for your initial audition or callback, the most important thing to keep in mind is that acting the objective (intention) is everything. It’s not about how you sound, it’s about why you’re singing, what you’re singing for, and what you’re trying to accomplish THROUGH the music. When a character breaks into song, it is often due to the actor’s heightened emotional state. Whether it be good or bad, the actor has reached a point where speaking dialogue is no longer an option: the only thing they can do is sing. Keep that in mind when you’re preparing your audition. SHOW THIS THROUGH YOUR FACE & EXPERIENCE! Relax and do your thing!
Character BreakdownPL
PLEASE REVIEW THE CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS THAT WE HAVE ASKED YOU TO FOR 5 WEEKS. THESE ARE ON THE AUDITION BULLETIN BOARD, THE BLOG, THE MTI SITE, AND WE HAVE REVIEWED THEM IN EVERY WORKSHOP & AUDITION/CALLBACK!
Storytellers
Wonderful roles for performers with natural stage presence and big, clear voices. These characters are crucial for establishing the world and advancing the story, so cast some bold, energetic young actors.
Shrek
He may be a big, scary, green ogre to the rest of the world, but as the story reveals, he’s really just a big fellow with a big heart. It is great if Shrek is a solid singer, but most importantly, snag a young man who is an excellent actor with comedic chops.
Fiona
She may appear to be an ideal princess straight from the fairy tale books, but there is more to her than that stereotypical image. She is an audacious young lady with a wonderful sense of humor and – surprisingly – manners akin to those of a teenage boy. Cast a girl who can do it all: act, sing and dance. This is a premiere role for an experienced performer with a lovable spirit.
Young Fiona/Teen Fiona
Young Fiona and Teen Fiona are younger versions of Fiona and should have solid singing voices.
Lord Farquaad
A very short man with gargantuan ambition! He is solely interested in gaining as much power as possible. This is a role for a good singer, but most importantly, your very best comedian who isn’t afraid of making bold choices or looking silly.
Donkey
A brash, loud, fast-talking animal with no concept of “quiet time.” Cast an experienced performer who can sing well and has a whole lot of presence and character. Be sure to choose a performer who complements Shrek well as his loyal and ever-faithful sidekick.
Dragon
A breakout role for a young girl with a lot of soul and spunk. She is a ferocious fire-breathing dragon but finds a surprising love in Donkey. Cast a performer who has tremendous presence and a good pop singing voice.
Mama Ogre
Good roles for a dynamic duo that can kick off the show with a lot of energy and presence. Make sure to cast good singers.
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Papa Ogre
Good roles for a dynamic duo that can kick off the show with a lot of energy and presence. Make sure to cast good singers.
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Little Ogre
A role just right for a smaller, younger performer who is new to the stage. He may not have lines but he is very important to the storytelling. Able to have good miming and acting expression.
Pinocchio
The wooden boy who cannot tell a lie without being belied by his growing nose. Pinocchio begins in a sour mood about his second-class status but ends the story as a natural leader among the Fairy Tale Creatures. Cast a young performer with a lot of personality who can sing well.
The Three Little Pigs
Pig 1, Pig 2 And Pig 3. The classic three little pigs with a German twist. It isn’t necessary that they look identical; focus on finding
a fun and dynamic trio.
Ugly Duckling
He may be bitter about his unfortunate appearance, but he does find camaraderie among his fellow fairy tale outcasts. This is a fun comedic role for a new performer.
The Three Bears
Mama Bear, Papa Bear, and Baby Bear. Great cameo roles for young performers who have little performing experience but make a complementary group.
Vocal range top: C4
Vocal range bottom: D3
Wicked Witch
A great role for a young performer destined to be a character actress. She has a big personality, so find a performer who is up to
the task.
Big Bad Wolf
He doesn’t need to be a scary, threatening big-bad-wolf type. At this point, he’s a pretty tame wolf who is reduced to wearing Little Red Riding-hood’s grandmother’s dressing gown. This is a fun role for a newcomer to the stage.
Gender: Any
Gingy
A great cameo role for a young performer who is as earnest as can be. Gingy is based on the Gingerbread Man who runs away like a fugitive from his baking captors. Find a performer with great energy.
Gender: Any
Peter Pan
The boy who never grew up, and he continues to act the part in this story. Cast a boy (or girl, if you want to give a nod to the traditional theater casting) who will have fun physicalizing the character.
Captain Of The Guard
This role is just right for an actor with some inherent strength and authority. He or she doesn’t have to have a lot of stage experience; just be sure to cast somebody who has a big, booming voice and who isn’t scared to put all the Fairy Tale Creatures in their place.
Gender: Any
Knights
The Dragon’s background singers who all tried at some point to save Fiona from her tower but were held hostage by the Dragon. Cast young performers who can sing well and have some soul just like the Dragon.
Dwarf
Farquaad’s comparably short and grumpy father. This is a perfect cameo role for a young performer.
Gender: Male
Ensemble
The Fairy Tale Creatures make up the heart of the show. These characters are taken from the story books but have a bit of a comedic twist. Be sure to cast a diverse group of kids with lots of personality and different strengths. Your performers should be proficient singers but most importantly, great actors.
Other standout ensemble roles include : The Guards, Duloc Performers, Puss in Boots, Rooster, Pied Piper, Rats and the Bishop. Ensemble roles like Birds, Trees, Deer, Woodland Creatures and Fairy Tale Creatures help make up the backbone of the musical.
Gender: Any
We also know that waiting can come with a mix of excitement and nerves. Casting a musical is a detailed and layered process. With so many talented students and an extensive collection of roles to fill, our six casting directors (three internal and three external) are piecing together a puzzle with many moving parts—reviewing hundreds of pages of notes, conflict calendars, vocal ranges, chemistry pairings, and the unique ways each performer approached the material. It takes time to bring all of these variables together in a way that supports the story, works for the production as a whole, and sets the entire cast up for success.
December MS CAST Rehearsals & Events
