Drama students at Correlieu Secondary School are getting into character for their upcoming live theatre production, Shrek The Musical JR.
On Thursday, June 2, they took to the Chuck Mobley Threate with director Shawn Smith to practice several scenes.
The budding actors have just a few more days until they perform before an audience at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 9, and Friday, June 10.
“If you sign up for theatre, you’re basically signing up for chaos to some degree because it just seems chaotic for months, and how is this going to happen and then it all comes together,” Smith said, noting the continued growth in students.
Last year, students were unable to perform before a live audience due to the pandemic.
This time around, Smith said it will be great for them to feed off the energy of an audience, including laughter and applause, and elevate their performances to a higher level.
Nearly all the students have seen the computer-animated comedy film Shrek and recalled watching it with their families at a very young age.
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Princess Fiona is being played by Grade 12 student Tayla Sherstan.
“I didn’t know a lot of the people who were here before I joined, and now some of us are the closest of friends,” Sherstan said.
“I love the energy, getting to meet new people, and being able to learn about acting and different ways I can do things because I do plan to do this after I graduate.”
The Correlieu Players started working on the production in January.
Also excited are Grade 10 students Grace Schamehorn, Jadyn Cripps, and Felicia Barry.
Schamehorn is playing Donkey with Cripps as Pinocchio and Barry as Captain of the Guards.
“The pandemic was so bad, and just coming out here to do this, I was so excited that I could finally do stuff,” Schamehorn said. “It’s great.”
Playing Lord Farquaad is Grade 11 student Cohen Shaughnessy who said acting is fun.
After practice wrapped up, Merrill Ringwood, who is playing Shrek, agreed with Shaughnessy while removing some green face paint.
“I think you don’t have to worry about taking yourself too seriously in theatre,” Ringwood said. “It’s very loose, it’s very relaxed, and it’s very fun.”
Tickets for Shrek The Musical JR are available at the Correlieu box office and Bo Peep Boutique.
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Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com
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