Sunday Shrek Rehearsal Canceled

❄️ Sunday Shrek Rehearsal Update ❄️

We hope everyone is staying warm and safe.

Due to the wintry weather—including the possibility of icy roads, walkways, and sustained freezing temperatures—The Davis Academy is canceling all Sunday programming. As a result, tomorrow’s Shrek rehearsal is canceled.

While we know this is disappointing during such an important part of our rehearsal process, the safety of our students, families, and faculty always comes first. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding.

Please continue to review music and lyrics at home as you’re able, and keep an eye on the blog, Remind, and email for any upcoming schedule updates or adjustments.

Stay cozy, stay safe, and we’ll see everyone soon—ready to jump back into the swamp! 🧅💚

SUNDAY REHEARSAL INFO, VOLUNTEERS, STAR WALL & MORE!

 

Happy Friday, everyone!
Exciting news:  Our first Sunday rehearsal is here!
Let's make it a great one!

🎭 Sunday Rehearsals ARE HERE ! 🎭

Sunday, February 1, officially kicks off our Sunday rehearsal schedule! 

We are excited to add this important rehearsal time as we continue building our Shrek Jr. production and bringing the swamp to life.

Tech Fair Participants Reminder:
If you are arriving late to rehearsal due to Tech Fair, please email Ms. Kendrick and Mr. Frank in advance so we can let you know how to enter the building.

What do I need to bring to Sunday rehearsals?

• FOOD & DRINK
• A water bottle.
• A snack/multiple snacks for rehearsals that are 2 hours or longer.
• A lunch for rehearsals that are LONGER than 3.5 hours.
• Please follow our nut-free policies regarding food brought to school. 
• No deliveries or delivery services are allowed during rehearsals.
• EVERYONE
• Please eat breakfast before arrival and rehearsal call times. It is VITAL to the success of rehearsal that all participants eat a good breakfast before rehearsal. Hungry bellies make for irritable humans who find it hard to focus and have enough energy to participate in rehearsal!
• TO BRING SCRIPTS OR NOT TO BRING SCRIPTS?
• Mechina through 2nd grade do NOT need to bring their scripts to rehearsal!
• 3rd through 8th grade bring scripts to rehearsal. 
• The crew only needs to bring scripts to rehearsal beginning on March 8, 2026
• Crew Families, please ensure you have read the Crew page located at the top of the blog.
• Crew Sundays are optional until mandatory Sundays begin. This information is on the Crew page and in the registration packet. 

ALL Parents and MS Students, PLEASE ensure you have read the Sunday Rehearsals FAQ's link in full. 
(The link above is also a page tab at the top of the blog.)

It contains essential information about Sunday rehearsals!

WHAT IS THIS SUNDAY'S CLOTHING THEME?

ALL Cast & Crew may wear appropriate PJs to rehearsal this Sunday if you want to participate in PJ rehearsal day!

Please remember to wear shoes that allow you to dance (no Crocs or open-toe shoes). Thank you!

We are keeping a close eye on the weather. Should any changes or updates to the schedule become necessary, we will communicate them through the blog, Remind, and email as soon as we have information to share.

Calling ALL Cast and Crew Families!  

Please complete 

this Volunteer interest/survey form 

by February 1, 2026. 

Thank you! 

STAR WALL

We will be creating a STAR WALL to feature our amazing young thespians.

By Sunday, March 8th, please send in a 4x6, 5x7, or 8x10 headshot/school picture/close-up photo of your child (only your child in the picture, please), with their name and grade printed on BOTH the back of the photograph and the envelope you submit it in.  The photo will not be returned, so please do not send an original image. 

You may drop this off at Sunday practices or leave it with the front desk of either campus in an envelope marked SHREK STAR WALL FOR MS. KENDRICK!

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO CLICK THE HOME TAB ON THE BLOG & REVIEW PREVIOUS POSTS TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE CURRENT ON ALL OF THE INFORMATION POSTED SO FAR! 

Always refresh the blog when checking to make sure you are on the most recent page and haven't pinned or cached an old post.

If you have not done so, please click the LS or MS links to join our LS Remind group and/or MS Remind group.

Please join our Remind to receive important reminders and updates via text or email. Click on the links for your child's grade level and join that Remind class! 

What is REMIND? 

Remind is a free text messaging app that helps teachers, students, and parents communicate quickly and efficiently. 

Sunday Rehearsals Kick Off on 2/1, Volunteer Interest Form, and Reminders About Next Week's Rehearsal Schedule!

As we head into this winter weekend, we hope all of our Shrek families stay warm, healthy, and safe as Atlanta keeps us guessing—will it be ice, snow, or nothing at all? ❄️💚

📅 Rehearsal Schedule: Week of January 27

Please review the rehearsal schedule for next week below.

Tuesday, January 27 | 3:45–5:45 PM
• Who: All Middle School Cast

Wednesday, January 28 | 3:45–5:45 PM
• Who: Dragon, Donkey, Knights, Fiona, Shrek

Thursday, January 29 | 3:20–4:30 PM
• Who: Lower School – Grades 3–5

Crew, please refer to the crew page tab about rehearsal attendance! 

🎭 Sunday Rehearsals Are Around The Corner! 🎭

Sunday, February 1, officially kicks off our Sunday rehearsal schedule! 

We are excited to add this important rehearsal time as we continue building our Shrek Jr. production and bringing the swamp to life.

FYI SUNDAY REHEARSALS

PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CAST OR CREW MEMBER TO SUNDAY REHEARSALS IF:

A CAST or CREW MEMBER IS FEELING UNWELL, ILL,

and/or

HAS A FEVER of 100.4 or HIGHER

 

What do I need to bring to Sunday rehearsals?

• A water bottle
• A snack for rehearsals that are 2 hours or longer.
• A lunch for rehearsals that are LONGER than 3.5 hours.
• Please make sure to eat breakfast before coming to rehearsal!
• Please follow our nut-free policies regarding food brought to school.
• Students in Mechina through 3rd grade do NOT need to bring their scripts to rehearsal!
• Students in 4th grade through 8th grade should bring their scripts to rehearsal.
• The crew only needs to bring scripts to rehearsal starting on March 10, 2026.

What should we wear?

• Comfortable clothing
• Layer your clothing. 
• Sometimes it is cold in the theatre, sometimes it is warm. :)

• We will have themed days at some rehearsals, such as Pajama Day on 2/1.
• Please do not send any participants to rehearsal in flip-flops or crocs. Students must be in closed-toed shoes. This is for the actors' and crews' safety.

DROP OFF & PICK UP/CARPOOL

• Doors will open 5-8 minutes before the start time for each rehearsal or grade-level call time. 
• Please remain in your cars until the doors open for drop-off. 

• If siblings have different call or start times on the schedule, you may drop off all siblings at the earliest call/start time. 

• Carpool pickup will begin at each rehearsal's dismissal time/grade level's dismissal time.
• If your child is riding home with/being picked up by another cast family member (grandparent)/babysitter/nanny, please email dfrank@davisacademy.org AND kphillips@davisacademy.org.
• Please have your carpool placard/number visible for all Sunday Mechina - 5th-grade rehearsal times. 

• If you arrive after the morning carpool/start time has concluded, or need to pick up early, please call the theatre sound booth at (678-527-3328) to let us know you are at the front door.  
• Please understand that the production team is teaching music, choreography, and blocking and is often not near the phone. 
• If you know in advance that your child will need to arrive late or leave early, please email dfrank@davisacademy.org AND kphillips@davisacademy.org before the Sunday rehearsal. 
• Please be aware that during rehearsals, the doors remain closed and secured for safety, and production staff may only occasionally be near the booth phone or checking emails. For this reason, the best plan is to arrive and leave at the designated times. We kindly ask families to limit late drop-offs and early pickups, as they can disrupt rehearsal flow and affect your child’s ability to fully engage. 
• With 150+ children involved in the production, the staff is focused on dancing, singing, teaching, and directing, and cannot monitor phones, escort children to carpool, or accommodate frequent late arrivals or early departures. If your child cannot attend the entire rehearsal, we recommend they skip that session to maintain the process's focus and flow. Additionally, please be mindful of Sunday rehearsals and plan any absences thoughtfully, as these sessions are vital for learning songs, dances, and blocking.
• Thank you for your understanding and for helping us create a positive and productive environment where all children feel confident and prepared. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we work together to ensure this production's success for everyone!

• Sundays, March 9 & 16, are mandatory for all cast and crew.

• If you communicated to Ms. Kendrick and Mr. Frank at the time of registration that you are out of town/have a special engagement or mitzvah on the mandatory Sunday, you are excused from that practice.
• We have two fewer Sunday rehearsals this year than in past years (we used to have 8, now we hold 6). Please make every effort to attend, as all choreography, blocking, and additional music take place during these rehearsals. 

What do I need to know about Sunday rehearsals?

• Sunday rehearsals are tremendously fun, and the whole cast and crew get to be together!! :)
• They always occur in the theatre and arts wing on the Lower School Campus. 
• All pickups and drop-offs will be done through the carpool lobby at the lower school. 
• Please form a single-file line in our carpool lane for pick-up. Please have your carpool number placard visible when picking up M-5th cast and crew members. 
• THE CREW may attend and stay for as long as they want during Sunday rehearsal.
• The crew must attend the March 8 and 15 rehearsals during tech week, the show performances (if on the running crew), and the strike. 
• The tech through show/strike dates are March 17- March 24. 
•  Tech week is mandatory for ALL crew members.

WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY

To minimize distractions during rehearsal, we need your help getting our cast "offline" while "on-stage." M-8th Students should not wear Bluetooth devices to Sunday rehearsals, tech week, and the shows. and should leave them at home. These devices also affect our sound system. Thank you for your assistance with this.

From the Sunday Rehearsal Information in the LS and MS registration packets. THIS INFO IS ALSO PERMANENTLY LINKED ON THE SUNDAY FAQ PAGE TAB AT THE TOP OF THE BLOG! 

SUNDAY ALL LS AND MS REHEARSALS

• Sunday, March 8, and Sunday, March 15, are MANDATORY  for all cast and crew.  
• Other Cast Sunday Rehearsals are scheduled for February 1, February 8, February 22, and March 1.
• While we encourage attendance at all six, cast members may miss up to two rehearsals, except for the Mandatory rehearsals on March 8 and 15 (always excused, of course, due to illness or a family emergency) Those missing more than 2 Sunday rehearsals may risk being removed from song/dance numbers, or from the show entirely.
• Rehearsal times/duration are appropriate to each age range/grade level.
•  Please refer to the LS and MS Schedules for the specific Sunday times! You can find this information under the Schedules tabs located at the top and sides of the blog.
• Duration of Sunday rehearsals:
• Grades M-2 classes are typically 90 minutes, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• Grades 3 & 4 will range from 2 to 3 hours as we get closer to the show. 
• Grade 5 will range from 3 to 4 hours as we get closer to the show. 
• The Advanced Ensemble hours are 4 to 5 hours as we get closer to the show.
• MS Rehearsals are 5 to 7 hours as we get closer to the show

• There are NO Sunday rehearsals during the MLK or Presidents’ Day weekends.

Calling ALL Cast and Crew Families!  

Please complete 

this Volunteer interest/survey form 

by February 1, 2026. 

Thank you! 

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO CLICK THE HOME TAB ON THE BLOG & REVIEW PREVIOUS POSTS TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE CURRENT ON ALL OF THE INFORMATION POSTED SO FAR! 

Always refresh the blog when checking to make sure you are on the most recent page and haven't pinned or cached an old post.

If you have not done so, please join our LS Remind group and/or MS Remind group.

Please join our Remind to receive important reminders and updates via text or email. 

What is REMIND? 

Remind is a free text messaging app that helps teachers, students, and parents communicate quickly and efficiently. 

LOWER SCHOOL SCHEDULE RELEASED FOR 1/29 TO 3/24, REMINDER RE: SUNDAY 2/1, LS COSTUME FORM, IMPT. LINKS

 

REMINDER!

Thursday's 1/22 Lower School rehearsal

is for MECHINA through SECOND grades!

THE LOWER SCHOOL CAST REHEARSAL SCHEDULE IS FOR 1/29 - 3/24 IS  LINKED BELOW IN TWO DIFFERENT VISUAL FORMATS:

LS Rehearsal Schedule organized by grade level 

LS Rehearsal Master Schedule January 29, 2026 - March 24, 2026

Weekly Rehearsal Reminders

• The schedule is also located under the LS Schedules tab to the right of this blog post and under the LS Schedule Page tab at the top of the blog.
• Rehearsal is in the LS Theatre right after school. Students will be dismissed from their end-of-day classrooms directly to the theatre.

• Students will be dismissed through the normal carpool line at 4:30pm.
• Please have your carpool number displayed in your front window.
• Students should pack a snack and water to drink. They will eat their snack and drink from 3:20 to 3:30 pm. Rehearsal is from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
• All LS participants received their scripts at the first rehearsal!
• All guide vocal tracks, and tracks are linked and located under the song and dance heading to the right of this post. 

The Fourth and Fifth Grade Advanced Ensemble offers students the exciting opportunity to participate in additional musical numbers, learn advanced harmonies, choreography, and acting techniques, and gain valuable stage experience as understudies. 

This enhanced and advanced opportunity is for those 4th/5th performers wishing to have additional stage time and prepare themselves  for middle school musical theatre by developing more of the skills needed to audition for lead and supporting roles while experiencing what the commitment to the MS Cast is more akin to, 

Commitment to ALL Sunday rehearsals, extended rehearsal hours, and select middle school rehearsals is required, with additional calls communicated at least 2 weeks in advance. 

AN EMAIL WILL BE SENT OUT THIS THURSDAY TO ALL FAMILIES WHO EMAILED SAYING THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE IN THE AE.

REMINDER:

 OUR FIRST SUNDAY REHEARSAL IS AROUND THE CORNER. 

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING ON YOUR CALENDAR

THE LOWER SCHOOL COSTUME SIZING FORM  

The deadline passed on Friday, January 16th.

Thank you to everyone who has already submitted a costume form for your Lower School participant. We are on a very tight timeline for ordering, designing, and creating costumes, and we truly appreciate your partnership.

At this time, 20 forms are still outstanding, and we need every Lower School cast member accounted for. If you have not yet submitted your form, please do so by the end of the day tomorrow (Thursday, 1/22). After this deadline, the form will no longer accept responses, and we cannot guarantee proper costume fit or the correct costume. Please help us ensure your child will be properly outfitted!

Thank you in advance for your prompt attention and support as we work to ensure a smooth and successful experience for all of our students.

The schedules for all cast and crew participants are posted in multiple places under the MS schedule page tab and the LS schedule page  tab.

FOR CREW ATTENDANCE, PLEASE CLICK THE CREW TAB TO REVIEW WHEN THE CREW SHOULD COME TO REHEARSAL.

All rehearsal schedules are also linked under the schedules header on the right side of the blog. See screenshot below.

HEADS UP FOR: First Sunday Rehearsal 2/1 Call Times!

Please put our first Sunday rehearsal call times on your calendar as a save-the-date and time(s). 

 

Please refer to the Sunday FAQ page tab linked here and also located at the top of the blog for information on Sunday rehearsals.  

 

LOWER SCHOOL COSTUME SIZING FORM- Due 1/16/26

 

LOWER SCHOOL CAST 

Hi LS Families!

We LOVED seeing all of our Shrek Jr. Lower School participants at our first rehearsal —
they did AMAZING! 🤩

Please take a moment to complete and submit the Costume Form by Friday, January 16, 2026 (one week from today). 

The form is quick, but you will need a tape measure to obtain your child’s waist measurement. If you don’t have one at home, they’re easy to find at any grocery store or drugstore. 🙂

This is an urgent need as we move forward with costumes, so thank you in advance for taking care of this promptly. We truly appreciate your help and support!

Click here for Lower School Cast Costume Sizing Form 

LOWER SCHOOL REHEARSAL KICKS OFF THIS THURSDAY! Please read for more information on Thursday rehearsals and on the Advanced 4th and 5th grade Ensemble Opportunity

Dear Lower School Shrek Jr. Families,

We hope this message finds you staying warm, healthy, and excited as we begin our Shrek Jr. adventure together! We are thrilled to have your child as part of the Lower School cast and our 5th-grade tech pioneers, and we cannot wait to bring the world of Duloc to life.

As we kick off rehearsals, please carefully review the important details below for our FIRST ALL-LOWER SCHOOL REHEARSAL, which were shared in the registration packet, posted on the Lower School schedule section of the show blog, and emailed to all registrants.

LOWER SCHOOL JANUARY REHEARSAL DETAILS

Date: Thursday, January 8
Time: 3:20 PM – 4:30 PM
Who: ALL Lower School Cast & Lower School Crew
Location: Lower School Theatre

Date: Thursday, January 15
Time: 3:20 PM – 4:30 PM
Who: 3rd -5th grade Cast & Lower School Crew
Location: Lower School Theatre

Date: Thursday, January 22
Time: 3:20 PM – 4:30 PM
Who: M- 2nd School Cast & Lower School Crew
Location: Lower School Theatre

Date: Thursday, January 29*
Time: 3:20 PM – 4:30 PM
Who: Grade Levels TBD- School Cast & Lower School Crew
Location: Lower School Theatre

*The grade levels for the 1/29/26 rehearsal will be posted by Friday, January 16. 

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Dismissal & Arrival

• Rehearsal will begin promptly at 3:20 PM in the Lower School Theatre.

• Students will be dismissed directly from their end-of-day classrooms to the theatre. Teachers will be notified that morning that your child is attending rehearsal.

• If your child will not be attending this rehearsal, please email Ms. Kendrick, Mrs. Gimpelevich, Mr. Frank, and/or Mr. Weismark so we can update rosters and inform teachers.

Dismissal at 4:30 PM:

• Students will be dismissed to the regular carpool line.

• Please have your carpool number placard visible when picking up.

• If another adult is picking up your child, please provide them with a placard displaying your carpool number.

• If your child is riding home with another family, please notify Ms. Kendrick AND Mrs. Gimpelevich in advance.

---

Snack & Hydration

• Students should bring a snack and water.

• Snack and hydration time will take place from 3:20 to 3:30 PM.

• Rehearsal will run from 3:30 to 4:30 PM.

---

Scripts

• Scripts will be sent home on Friday by homeroom teachers.

• Please be on the lookout for your child’s script at the end of the day on Friday.

---

Fourth & Fifth Grade Advanced Ensemble Opportunity

The Fourth and Fifth Grade Advanced Ensemble offers interested students the opportunity to participate in additional musical numbers, learn advanced harmonies, choreography, and acting techniques, and gain valuable stage experience. Students in this ensemble may have opportunities to serve as understudies and/or have opportunities for featured parts (roles that include a solo speaking line or two,  featured dancers, or a featured small group ensemble alongside the MS cast).

This enhanced opportunity is designed for 4th- and 5th-grade performers who want additional stage time beyond the regular LS ensemble time commitment and experience and who are beginning to prepare for middle school musical theatre by developing the skills needed to audition for lead and supporting roles. Participation in the Advanced Ensemble reflects the Middle School cast's increased commitment and provides students with a vital bridge experience.

Advanced Ensemble is based on TIME COMMITMENT. These commitments include:

• Attendance at ALL Sunday rehearsals

• Extended rehearsal hours on Sundays and during tech week.

• Attendance at select Middle School rehearsals (Middle School rehearsals take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; the AE attends some of these rehearsals depending on role and responsibility; more specific schedule information is released after we have observed and workshopped the AE members). 

• Additional rehearsal calls are communicated at least two weeks in advance.

Important:
Students interested in the Advanced Ensemble MUST attend the Middle School cast hours for rehearsal on Sunday, February 1 | 10:00 AM–1:30 PM.

This rehearsal will allow us to assess skill levels in singing, acting, and dancing, and to observe each performer to determine where they may best fit within the Advanced Ensemble.

If your child is interested in being considered for the Advanced Ensemble, please email Ms. Kendrick at Kphillips@davisacademy.org by January 16, 2026.

STAYING CONNECTED

The show blog is our central communication hub for all things Shrek Jr. We strongly encourage families to:

• Join the Lower School Remind group, so you never miss an important update.

• https://www.remind.com/join/shrekls

• Follow the show blog (you may subscribe by email using the “Get New Posts by Email” box on the left side of the blog)

• Bookmark key tabbed pages at the top of the blog, including LS Cast, LS Schedule, and Sunday FAQs

If your child is a 5th-grade tech pioneer participating as a crew member rather than on stage as a performer, please email Ms. Kendrick and bookmark the Crew page, where all crew-specific schedules, updates, and FAQs will be available. Along the side of the blog, you’ll also find quick-access links to schedules, vocal tracks, dance videos, forms, and more, which will be added over the next 11 weeks.

The Lower School rehearsal schedule for February and March will be posted on the blog on Tuesday, January 20th.

Thank you so much for your enthusiasm, support, and partnership as we begin this magical Shrek Jr. journey. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

We look forward to seeing our lower school cast this Thursday!

Warmly,
Ms. Kendrick & Mrs. Gimpelevich