BRAINSTORMERS
MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSICAL
"Shrek Jr."
For Students in Grades 5-8
Registration opens online through the District 67 Web Store
Friday, October 21 at 6:00 AM
Brainstormers  presents ...

SHREK The Musical JR.

Director, Mr. Chris Arnold
Musical Director, Mrs. Leslie Thornton
Artistic Director, Mrs. Michelle Patch

Costuming, Mrs. Karen Pedersen
Sound and Lighting, Mr. Anthony Pollina
and Choreography by Karla Serrato


A MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSICAL OPPORTUNITY
Grades 5-8


Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek The Musical JR., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical.  It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance.  Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family. Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek.  One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he's handed a task - if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona's love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn't be complete without a few twists and turns along the way. With abundant opportunities for imaginative sets and costumes, and a host of over-the-top roles for an expandable cast, there's a part for everyone in this dazzling adventure story.
  (Taken from Music Theatre International)

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  • Storytellers: Wonderful roles for performers with natural stage presence and big, clear voices. These characters are important for setting up the world and moving the story forward.
  • 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.
  • 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. 
  • Young Fiona and Teen Fiona :are younger versions of Fiona
  • Lord Farquaad: A very short man with gargantuan ambition! He is solely interested in gaining as much power as possible.
  • Donkey: A brash, loud, fast-talking animal with no concept of "quiet time."
  • 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.
  • Mama Ogre & Papa Ogre: Good roles for a dynamic duo that can kick off the show with a lot of energy and presence.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • The Three Bears: Mama Bear, Papa Bear, and Baby Bear.
  • 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 Ridinghood's grandmother's dressing gown.
  • 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.
  • Peter Pan: The boy who never grew up, and he continues to act the part in this story.
  • Captain Of The Guard: This role is just right for an actor with some inherent strength and authority, and who isn't scared to put all the Fairy Tale Creatures in their place.
  • Skeletons: The Dragon's background singers who all tried at some point to save Fiona from her tower, but were held hostage by the Dragon.
  • Dwarf: Farquaad's comparably short and grumpy father.
  • 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.

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DETAILS AND DATES

AUDITION DATES:
December 6 and 7 from 3:45pm-5:30 pm

The Audition Packet will be emailed to you November 28th, 2016. The packet will include an audition sheet, actor contract, list of rehearsal dates, acting sides, and song selections for auditions.

To run effective rehearsals, it is important that your child be present at every rehearsal unless the schedule indicates otherwise. We understand that these types of productions require a significant time commitment, however, student absences affect other cast members during rehearsals. This year we will be providing a rehearsal conflict form in the event that pre-planned special circumstances would prevent your child from attending a rehearsal. Please list any conflicts on this form. Conflicts will not prohibit participation, but it will provide the director with information to plan around those conflicts in advance. Outside of absences due to illness, unexcused absences may result in your child being recast to another role. 

The following rehearsals cannot be excused so please plan accordingly - March 8, 13, 14. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be posted for the first 4 weeks on December 11th.  

Rehearsals start on Tuesday, December 13. Rehearsals will be on Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 3:45pm-5:30pm until March 1.

March 6, 7 and 8: Rehearsal will be from 3:45pm-6:00pm which will include the technical components of the show. 

Please note that the full dress rehearsals will be on MONDAY, March 13 and TUESDAY, March 14.

PERFORMANCE DATES:
March 15 - School Performances
March 16 - 5:30pm call for a 7pm show
March 17 - 5:30pm call for a 7pm show

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REGISTRATION will open ONLINE  starting 6am on Friday, October 21  through the District 67 Web Store found on each school's website or by selecting the Catalog and Registration on the Brainstormers website .  Please be sure that you have created an account prior to registration. Parents who registered their child for summer Brainstormers classes have already created a Brainstormers account. Please use this account. All others must create a Brainstormers account prior to registration. Please note this is separate from your school fees registration account. If you have any questions on the Web Store or how to create an account, please contact Mary Beth Sauser at [email protected] or 847-604-7408.

Tuition:  $200 

REFUND POLICY FOR PLAYS AND MUSICALS
Full payment is required to process your registration.  No refunds on drama or musical performances made after a student has auditioned. Registrations canceled before auditions will be returned, minus a $25 processing fee.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Registration questions should be directed to the Brainstormers Secretary, Mary Beth Sauser, at 847-604-7408 or via email to [email protected].
Director of Brainstormers - Bridget Booker
847-604-7417

Brainstormers Secretary - Mary Beth Sauser
847-604-7408
FAX - 847-234-5132