There is a mammoth amount of effort involved in presenting a musical, and our recent production of Shrek, The Musical Jr., has been no exception. Kuyper Christian School would like to thank everyone involved in getting the show onto the stage.
The Shrek Production Team, a group of six dedicated and enthusiastic Kuyper staff members, have poured their time, energy, and creativity into producing a stellar show. Their commitment and passion for every aspect of the production have been truly inspiring.
Director Mr Rob Weule has been the show’s foundation, guide, and faithful captain. His leadership, wisdom, and artistry have not only inspired but also guided the entire team – staff and students alike. His vision and direction have enabled every person involved in the production to blossom and shine.
Producer Mrs Amanda McAlpine has been responsible for organising and managing all things ‘P’ – planning, people, paperwork, props, participation, promotion and prompting. Her understanding and implementation of the show’s ‘behind the scenes’ elements equipped and enabled the cast, crew, and production team to do their jobs well. Her ability to motivate, reassure and fix any issues meant that we were always ahead of schedule. Thank you for your flexibility, dedication, compassion, problem-solving, and motivation.
Assistant Director Mrs Meg Lloyd-Johnson has provided the cast with invaluable drama techniques and skills to develop and enhance characterisation and scene production. Her ability to capture the essence of a moment and teach the cast how to bring that to life was instrumental in making the show such a success. Thank you for your ideas, advice, initiatives and ability to see the grand scheme and make it all work together seamlessly.
Creative Director Mrs Amy Thornton was tasked with creating and capturing the choreography, costumes and cheer. The show’s dancing parts are original compositions and routines choreographed by Ms Thornton. In addition, her organising, mending, altering and adapting of the costumes meant that every cast member not only looked the part but felt it, too! Thank you for your creativity, originality, animation, craziness and patience in making rehearsals and preparation fun and entertaining.
Music and Vocal Director Mrs Jodie Paul, with her enthusiasm and love for musicals, brought her knowledge and expertise in vocal training and coaching to develop every cast member’s voice and help them excel. Thank you for your exuberance, aptitude, instruction and flare in empowering the cast to find their voice and dazzle the audience.
Technical Director, Mr Mitch Cavens, spent hours setting up, tuning in and refining the sound, lighting, music and microphones to provide a truly remarkable and extravagant performance and experience. Thank you for your perseverance, patience, calmness, proficiency and ability to lead and teach others to serve and succeed.
Thank you to the amazing tech crew – Jack, Pat, Jake, Noah, Finlay and Macsen – for all your hard work and commitment. Your willingness and dedication to mastering the sound and lighting were an asset to our production.
Thank you also to the backstage crew – Ruben and Chayse – who learned the show inside out and mastered scene changes quickly and seamlessly.
Thank you to our stage and prop managers, Josh, Ellie and Felicity, for making and creating props and ensuring all cast members had their props ready to go.
Thank you to the team of people who helped to paint the sets and backdrops and made the scenes and stage come to life:
- Miss Lyndall Gluskie – for painting the barn door, Duloc Castle and Fiona’s tower.
- Mrs Heather Cumming – for painting the stage trees.
- Mrs Bec Block – for painting the Duloc Castle and Dragon’s Cave Lava.
- Mrs Christine Huyhn – for painting the beautiful and enchanting stage backdrop.
Thank you to Mrs Aline Kirkby and your catering team for all the time and effort you put into Swamp Sweetery and the creativity of the delicious treats you designed and prepared.
Thank you, Miss Jemima Robinson, for your help in organising the costumes and designing and creating the hairstyles for the performances.
Huge thanks to our make-up team. Our cast was literally transformed by the work of your hands! Thank you:
- Mrs BJ Weule – for your creative expertise in designing and applying stage make-up to bring our characters to life and for teaching these skills to our student team.
- Mrs Emily Gash – for your skill and technique in special effect make-up and prosthetics.
- Miss Kristine Carter and Mrs Bec Block – for your artistry in creating fantastic make-up looks.
- Alyssa, Elsie, Kiara, Matilda, Abigail, Jess and Kiara – for your endless patience, diligence, and teamwork in assisting with make-up.
Thank you, Mrs Merrilynne Shaw, for your swiftness and focus in making all the microphone headset changes happen.
Thank you, Mrs Jo Kean, for making the guard’s tunics, Duloc banners, and Lord Farquaad’s F’s.
Thank you, Mrs Lyn McLean, for making the Storyteller’s outfits, costume alterations, and adjustments.
Thank you, Mr Bill McLean, for your quick and innovative fixes, particularly your work on Lord Farquaad’s legs.
Thank you to our Principal, Mr Mark Ramsay, for your support, encouragement, allowances and commitment to getting Shrek, The Musical Jr., on the stage.
Thank you to the teaching staff at Kuyper Christian School for your support, patience and understanding in permitting students to be out of class and for your help during performances.
Thank you to the non-teaching staff for your willingness to do whatever was asked of you and your support and responsiveness in rearranging, sorting, printing, and communicating.
Thank you to the parents, family members and friends of our cast and crew for allowing our students to be part of this production. Thank you for supporting their creativity and giving up your time to get them to extra rehearsals.
Last but certainly not least, thank you to our incredible cast for your commitment and dedication to your characters and to one another. What a spectacular show!
God has given our community many gifts, and we are so blessed to see them brought together in Shrek Jr. 2024.
