Shrek Jr. Cast List Announcement
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Important Casting Notes
IMPORTANT: Please Read This Post in Full
With full hearts and tremendous excitement, we are thrilled to officially announce the cast of Shrek Jr. Thank you for your patience, trust, and support as we completed a thoughtful, thorough, and student-centered casting process. We are so proud of every student who auditioned and every student who will help bring this joyful story to life.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our professional casting partners in Los Angeles, New York City, and Atlanta, as well as to our educational theatre artists, who generously donated their time, care, and expertise. Across auditions and callbacks, every student was truly seen with intention and respect. Vocal ranges, acting skills, movement, chemistry, scheduling conflicts, growth potential, emotional readiness, academic balance, and flexibility for doubling were all carefully considered so that each student could be placed where they will shine, grow, and succeed.
We are honored to share that this is one of the most loving, supportive, joyful, professional, and kind cast and crew communities we have ever had the privilege of working with. The spirit already present in this group is extraordinary.
A Show Built on Ensemble
Shrek Jr. is a joyful, high-energy, ensemble-driven musical at its heart — a story that celebrates belonging, individuality, courage, and community. The magic of this show does not live in just a few roles; it lives in the full company working together.
Every role matters. Every student matters. Every performer carries the story.
We truly wish we could give every student who auditioned their dream role and create thirty different versions of this show — but that simply isn’t possible. What is possible is placing each performer where they will shine brightly and steal the show in the role they have been given. It is never the size or title of a role that makes a great performer — it is what the performer does with that role that creates an unforgettable, star-turn performance.
Big Feelings, Growth & Transparency
We know that auditions come with big feelings — excitement, hope, pride, joy, nerves, and sometimes disappointment. All of these feelings are real and valid. We see the bravery it takes for each child to audition, and we hold deep empathy for every student who stepped forward with courage and vulnerability.
Every student was given multiple opportunities to read and sing for the roles they were interested in and the roles they were called back for. At the same time, it is nearly impossible for a young performer to objectively assess their own audition. What a student hopes went well or feels went well does not always align with:
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Their current technical skill level
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Their ability to take direction in the moment
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Their consistency under pressure
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Their emotional readiness for the responsibility and stamina of a role
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Their ability to maintain healthy academic balance with schoolwork and other commitments
Some factors are simply outside of a performer’s control, including:
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Vocal range and pitch accuracy (at this time)
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Physical height and size
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Scheduling conflicts
Acting experience (at this time)
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Scene chemistry
Other factors are within a student’s control, and we look closely for growth in areas such as:
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Making clearer and bolder acting choices
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Using facial expression and physicality to tell the story
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Adjusting vocal pitch, inflection, and clarity of text
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Showing understanding through movement, energy, and intention
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Demonstrating the ability to listen, adapt, and apply direction in real time
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Showing the emotional maturity and regulation needed to sustain a role through a full rehearsal and performance process
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Demonstrating the organizational skills and responsibility needed to balance rehearsals and academics successfully
Our responsibility is not to cast based on hope, desire, or effort alone — but on readiness, consistency, emotional readiness, academic balance, flexibility, and where each student will be most successful right now. Sometimes a student may be incredibly talented and still not yet ready for a particular role in this moment of their development. That does not diminish their value, their future potential, or their place in this company.
Disappointment, while painful, is also one of the most powerful teachers a young artist can encounter. How a performer responds to disappointment builds resilience, humility, work ethic, and emotional strength — essential tools not only for theatre, but for life.
We ask families to trust that every decision was made with great care, objectivity, and a profound commitment to each child’s growth.
How to Handle Disappointment
One of the most beautiful aspects of being in a Davis musical is that there are no cuts — every actor has a chance to shine. Every actor’s part is integral to the production and the team’s success.
Musicals at every level are built upon the ensemble. They carry the show. Every performer carries the show, and EVERY part matters.
We have a huge puzzle to put together with many moving parts, and our job in casting is to place each person where they will be most successful while having the time of their lives.
Every audition brings anticipation, excitement, nerves, joy — and sometimes disappointment. The truth is that auditions are not always fair. Many factors are outside of an actor’s control: vocal range, physical readiness, conflicts, schedule balance, chemistry, or developmental timing.
There are three ways one can respond to disappointment:
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Give up and never try again.
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Decide to work harder and grow so that next time they stand out.
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Discover new ways to belong and contribute.
How one responds to disappointment is a tremendous test of character. Often, we cannot yet see the gifts and journeys ahead in the roles we have been given — but they always reveal themselves through the work.
Important Notes as Rehearsals Begin
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Several featured roles, featured ensembles, dancers, soloists, and understudies will be assigned during rehearsals based on work ethic, growth, focus, emotional readiness, and academic balance.
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Many students will play multiple roles through doubling.
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Understudies play a vital role in the success of the production and must be fully prepared.
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Rehearsals will move quickly and with purpose. Students are expected to come prepared, learn music promptly, and maintain healthy balance with school responsibilities.
Caregiver Communication & Audition Feedback
Caregivers with questions about casting decisions should reach out directly to Mr. Frank.
We always provide audition and callback feedback to support our students’ artistic growth. Students who would like feedback based on the panel’s notes are encouraged to reach out directly to Ms. Kendrick to schedule a feedback meeting over the coming weeks. This is a valuable opportunity for reflection, growth, and goal-setting as young artists.
Whenever possible, we encourage communication to come directly from the students, as this builds self-advocacy, confidence, and professional communication skills.
A Community We Are So Proud Of
We are truly proud of every single member of this cast and crew. This is one of the most loving, supportive, joyful, professional, and kind groups we have ever had the honor of working with. The spirit already alive in this company beautifully reflects the very heart of Shrek Jr. — acceptance, friendship, bravery, and belonging.
This show will be extraordinary not only because of the talent on stage, but because of who these students are as people.
Next Steps
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The cast list is posted alphabetically by role and by actor.
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Show date assignments will be shared later in the rehearsal process.
Final Thoughts
To every student who auditioned: we are so proud of you. Your courage, preparation, passion, and joy were remarkable. Thank you for trusting us with your hearts and your talent.
We cannot wait to begin this beautiful journey together and create an unforgettable production of Shrek Jr.
With enormous gratitude and excitement,
The Shrek Production Team
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