Each year, Friends School’s seventh and eighth-grade classes work on a play together. Over the year’s performances of Charlotte’s Web, Alice in Wonderland, Midsummer Night’s Dream ( to name just a few!) have been enjoyed by friends, family, and fellow students alike. It is a tradition from the earliest years that began with retired teacher Lee Chisholm. The end-of-year performance is something that every student takes part in.
From set and sound design to memorizing lines, students are encouraged to try out different roles and take on leadership in different ways. “Theatre really has something for everyone. From costumes to makeup, to backstage tech cues and set painting, there is a diversity of work to go around. When casting the show, we spend time talking and thinking about the strengths of each student, and how their particular interests might play into, not only the role that they get, but also the other elements of the show,” shared Eliza Robinson, co-director.
This year’s performance of “Shrek: The Musical Jr.” was no different. Eliza Robinson, co-director, shared:
“I really think that it was this group of seventh and eighth-grade students that made it so special. Earlier this year, when Bethany and I sat down to talk about what show to do, our focus was on making sure we chose something that would reflect the many strengths of this group. We knew that this group had strong musicians, dancers, and actors. And Shrek is a real ensemble piece, with many weird, wonderful, and sweet characters. It just felt like it would fit this group perfectly.”
Eliza Robinson and Bethany Schmitt, co-directors, led students in a reflection on their weeks of work on the musical.
And then students shared their thoughts on their roles in the play:
I wanted to be Donkey. But I got the part of Pinocchio. I did end up really liking the part. I got to tell a lot of jokes and had some really good one-liners.
Well, I can’t go on my knees anymore. It was fun to act in the play as Lord Farquaad. Although I think I have some PTSD about not being able to stand up. I liked being the big egotistical lead because that might be who I am, or maybe not.
I was the ugly duckling. I wrote down the part that I wanted on a notecard. And I was really hoping that I was going to get the part because I love ducks….and this was pretty much like my chance to be the thing that I love. A duck! And I really liked singing the song “Freak Flag.
I was Papa Bear. I really loved the part I got. I wanted to have a part that I could sing all the songs but that I didn’t need to have a lot of lines that I needed to remember too. That meant being Papa Bear.
It was different than last year’s play, Alice in Wonderland. A musical really requires a lot more work, a different kind of work. I didn’t have as many lines. But I needed to remember lyrics and work on dance routines. A musical was really fun in a different way than I had expected.