Thursday, November 6, 2025

MIDDLE SCHOOL CALLBACK INFORMATION!

 







WE ARE SO PROUD OF EACH & EVERY ONE OF YOU!

Thank you for your courage, joy, and professionalism during solo auditions and the workshops!

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow and next Wednesday and having a great time together in Duloc and the Swamp!

Now...

PLEASE READ THIS POST IN FULL TO THE VERY END AND FULLY THINK ABOUT THE ADVICE SECTION TOWARDS THE END OF THE POST!


Greetings all!



Next Wednesday, November 12, 
Everyone will be attending the first callback. 

     

🌟 Shrek Jr. Callbacks — Round 1
📅 Wednesday, November 12 • 3:40–7:00 PM
📍 Lower School (LS) Theatre

✅ Arrival & Sign-In

  • Head straight to the LS after school.

  • If you need to change clothes, please do so immediately upon arrival.

  • Sign in at the call board as soon as you arrive.

  • We will begin promptly at 3:45 PM.

🎤 3:45–4:15 PM — Mic & Prep Block

During this time, we will:

  • Get everyone into microphones

  • Pin callback numbers

  • Review expectations and the callback process

Callbacks begin onstage at 4:20 PM.

🍎 Snacks & Breaks

  • You will have time to eat in rotations, so please bring a snack or light dinner and a water bottle.

🚗 Pick-Up

  • Parent pick-up is at 7:00 PM at the LS Carpool Lobby only.
    (Do not use the main or gym lobby.)

📘 Callback Material

Below is the exact material we will be working with during Callback Round 1.
✅ We will continue working with this material on 11/12 and 11/18 and will be adding additional material on 11/18 and 11/19 as well.) 

🟢 Scenes & Songs by Character/Group

Shrek + Storytellers
Pages 1–8
Song: Big Bright Beautiful World

Mama Ogre & Papa Ogre
Solo sections from Big Bright Beautiful World

Shrek, Captain of the Guards & Donkey
Pages 18–20

Shrek & Donkey
Song: Travel Song

Farquaad and Gingy Scene 
Pages 22-24

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

Fairy Tale Creatures – Group Scene
(Characters: Farquaad, Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Pinocchio, Mama Bear, Baby Bear, Big Bad Wolf, Peter Pan, Ugly Duckling, Gingy)
Pages 87–90
Song: Freak Flag

Donkey & Knights → Dragon Scene
Pages 51–58
Song: Forever (Dragon)

Fairy Tale Creatures + Captain of the Guards
Page 10
Song: Story of My Life

Shrek & Fiona (Duet Scene)
Song: I Think I’ve Got You Beat

Fiona Solo
Song: Morning Person

Donkey Solo
Song: Make a Move

Shrek
Song: Big Bright Beautiful World (Reprise)

🎭 Callback Expectations & Reminders

  • Take direction.

  • Make bold, specific acting choices.

  • 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! 😊

🏀 Basketball Conflicts

If you have a conflict on any callback dates due to basketball, please speak with Ms. Kendrick.
➡️ To be considered for a lead or primary supporting role, you must attend all callback dates.

🔁 Next Steps

  • All students auditioning will attend the Callback Round 1 on November 12.

  • You will be notified by Thursday, November 13, if you are needed for the second callback on Tuesday, November 18.

  • Not every actor will be required to stay the whole time for 11/18 and/or 11/19.





ALL AUDITIONERS, PLEASE FILL OUT
THIS CALLBACK INTEREST FORM
before 8:00 pm on MONDAY, 11/10.









PREPARATION LINK




PLEASE READ THE LINKS BELOW BEFORE THE CALLBACK!!! These links have been on the right side of the blog for weeks, so you should be very familiar with them! :) 


SHREK DIGITAL SCRIPT (please note this is not exactly our script, please refer to your hard copy of your script if you have registered!) 

SONG ANALYSIS & SINGING IN CHARACTER

PLEASE NOTE:
You must be registered with your form and activity fee to receive your full SHREK script and access to the complete guide, including vocals and instrumental tracks.




A comprehensive list of links under 'Cast Actor Resources' on the blog is available to help you create the best audition and performance possible.  Use these resources to bring out the theatrical and acting sides of your musical theatre performance. 

Don't just focus on singing - acting is the heart of musical theatre.
Image result for act well your part theatre folk

MUST-READ ADVICE
    Image result for audition tips students
  • Being prompt and listening to directions is a vital aspect of auditioning.

  • Use your best theatre etiquette.

  • Don't worry if you make a mistake; own it and act like you meant to do it. We will never know if you made a mistake or were nervous if you own the stage and "fake it 'til you make it!"

  • Opportunity favors the prepared mind!

  • PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE!!! We expect fully rehearsed, prepared, and dazzling audition selections. Your audition should be BETTER than an actual show performance. 

  • So practice, practice, practice. HAVE FUN! BE BOLD AND CONFIDENT! Be open-minded. Take Creative Risks; these are iconic characters! BE LOUD AND PROUD! Show us your presence and style!

  • Use your full voice and energy. Do not hold back. This is YOUR chance!

  • Be prepared to demonstrate that you can follow directions.

  • Don't get stuck on reading for one part/role. Every part/role is impressive, and we will place you where you will shine the most and be the star you are! 

  • Don't ask for feedback during the callback. Feedback comes from acting classes, lessons, workshops, and training, not auditions. Work with a coach/teacher/director/family member/person before your audition and ask them for feedback. Come prepared with the material ready to give your best performance, and don’t expect to get anything but a “Thank you” at the end. If you get more, that is great! The casting directors are looking for an actor who best embodies the character from head to toe during auditions for the parts they are casting. It is not the casting directors' job to give feedback to all the actors at callbacks. The actor's job is to come in prepared with all the emotion ready to give the best performance.

  • Have fun at the audition! We want you to do well. :) 

WHAT ARE CALLBACKS?
    Image result for audition meme theatre kids

  • They are NOT a list of people who have been cast in the roles for which they are call-backed. Callbacks are to see things we didn't have a chance to see during individual auditions.


Image result for casting

HOW DOES CASTING WORK?

Many factors play a part in how a show is cast, such as confidence/presence on stage, ability to be heard and understood, scheduling conflicts & rehearsal availability, academic good standing, energy, and chemistry between actors and how they look together, sound together, what vocal ranges or acting demands a part requires and if that actor fit those demands/ranges, (e.g. in Lion King, Young Nala must look and sound younger than Nala who is older, wiser, and sings in a lower alto and a mezzo soprano power belt, while both Nalas need to have similar movements/tones/mannerisms/looks on stage, Young Simba and Young Nala need to look about the same age, as do Simba/Nala, so if an actor "goes out" for Young Nala but is the tallest and oldest looking actor auditioning in the group of all Nalas, this wouldn't be believable to an audience, these things are out of an actor's control and an actor shouldn't worry about what he or she can't control in an audition or in casting)

So what can an actor control in an audition?
Every actor has an equal opportunity to showcase their abilities. An actor can ensure they give the best audition at the moment they need to deliver it most, which means at the time of the individual audition and throughout callbacks. If an actor shows on stage that they give an outstanding, fully prepared, and dynamic audition for the role they are most interested in at the time of auditions by taking risks, making specific character choices, voices, movements, and expressions, then they have given themself the best chance at getting that part. It is about being prepared, memorable, heard, and expressive! Additionally, it involves following the directions of the audition panel and immediately changing a character when requested. (e.g., If the panel consistently keeps asking an actor to be louder or use facial expressions every time the actor is on stage, the actor is having difficulty applying direction. So be loud and expressive the very first time when asked! And you will wow all! :)

The basics matter!

Don't upstage yourself. Cheat out! SPEAK SLOWLY, LOUDLY, and CLEARLY.

The more fun you have, the more fun the audition panel will have. Remember, this is in your control to have a blast and enjoy performing and entertaining a crowd!

When you sing your song, remember you are giving a performance; you MUST use your body, face, and eyes to convey emotion and your character. 

This is Musical THEATRE, so the emphasis is on acting and conveying character through song.

At the end of the day, remember the audition panel is made up of Davis staff and industry professionals who have years and years of experience casting and placing performers in roles where their talents best fit and will shine best, where they will have the most wonderful experience, and where all will shine brightly on stage. 

Theatre is a collaborative team experience that relies on the efforts of everyone in the cast and the crew. EVERY PART is equally vital to the success of the show. 

Image result for break a legThe old adage rings true "There are no small parts, only small actors," or as my favorite quote from theatre says, "Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art," which is really a fancy way of saying if you really love theatre and being on stage, you love it no matter what you part you play, because theatre is a part of you. It is not the part that matters; what you do with your part makes all the difference! 

A great example is the outstanding actor Dame Judi Dench, who won an Academy Award for a total of 8 minutes of screen time in the 2-hour, 17-minute movie Shakespeare in Love. She upstaged the entire film and the other characters because she was that memorable and entertaining! 

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A WONDERFUL FIRST CALLBACK DAY TOGETHER!!!




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