Brookwood brings the swamp to life with Shrek the Musical
The Thomasville Municipal Auditorium came to life over the weekend as Brookwood students took audience members into the swamp, complete with ogres, donkeys, and a colorful cast of fairytale creatures.
Under the direction of Brookwood’s new Artistic Director and Performing Arts Department Chair, Tara Lynn Steele, the show brought a new life to the comedy just in time for its 25th anniversary.
“People know and love Shrek, it’s kind of intergenerational,” Steele said.
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Under the direction of Brookwood’s new Artistic Director and Performing Arts Department Chair, Tara Lynn Steele, the show brought a new life to the comedy just in time for its 25th anniversary.
“People know and love Shrek, it’s kind of intergenerational,” Steele said.
Growing up, Steele watched the movie and said she felt like the show would be a perfect fit for the all-school musical, as it can include students as young as 4-years old, while still providing opportunities for high school students in lead character roles.
“We have 109 kids in the show this year, and 115 people on stage,” Steele said.
With Brookwood’s new Performing Arts program underway, Steele said she expected a large turnout for the cast, especially since her middle school students are required to try out as part of the curriculum.
“We have 109 kids in the show this year, and 115 people on stage,” Steele said.
With Brookwood’s new Performing Arts program underway, Steele said she expected a large turnout for the cast, especially since her middle school students are required to try out as part of the curriculum.
“It’s just to get the experience,” Steele said. “They don’t have to participate, and after they took the class, they became so interested that there was a huge influx of middle school students.”
Additionally, there were 65 lower school students participating, along with high school students who have participated year after year in the all-school musical.
“The performing arts program has definitely lit a fire in the community and on the stage as well,” Steele said.
“There’s a lot of considerations going into next year that normally don’t have to go into it, so I’m kind of a loss, but I know that we have a really good group of rising high schoolers to take the reins.”
Regardless of what next year brings, Steele said she continues to be proud to bring this type of art to Thomasville and watch students pour their heart and soul onto the stage.
Additionally, there were 65 lower school students participating, along with high school students who have participated year after year in the all-school musical.
“The performing arts program has definitely lit a fire in the community and on the stage as well,” Steele said.
In order to accommodate all of the students and scenes, Steele and her team added multiple layers to the set design.
“I talked to our wonderful set designer, Jack Jammer, and said I want it to feel like Nickelodeon Slime Time Live, so to watch as many 1990s and early 2000s episodes as you can,” Steele laughed. “I wanted him to give him as many levels as he could because I had to fit a lot of people on stage.”
While Jammer worked on the scenic design, Steele began working with her lead characters, Shrek (Rett Groeneveld), Princess Fiona (Reagan Burrus), Donkey (James Mizell), and Lord Farquaad (Ben Burrus) in December, before taking the stage with the entire cast on January 5th.
“It was a quick process,” she said. “But, honestly, the kids were amazing.”
Steele shared that every year she continues to raise the bar on production, and year after year, the students rise to the occasion.
“We also have an incredible group of adults who have come in locally, but also from New York and Michigan to make this production happen,” she said.
With the curtains now closed on Shrek the Musical, Steele is already ideating for next year. However, she knows a challenge lies ahead as the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium is set to undergo a major renovation.
“I talked to our wonderful set designer, Jack Jammer, and said I want it to feel like Nickelodeon Slime Time Live, so to watch as many 1990s and early 2000s episodes as you can,” Steele laughed. “I wanted him to give him as many levels as he could because I had to fit a lot of people on stage.”
While Jammer worked on the scenic design, Steele began working with her lead characters, Shrek (Rett Groeneveld), Princess Fiona (Reagan Burrus), Donkey (James Mizell), and Lord Farquaad (Ben Burrus) in December, before taking the stage with the entire cast on January 5th.
“It was a quick process,” she said. “But, honestly, the kids were amazing.”
Steele shared that every year she continues to raise the bar on production, and year after year, the students rise to the occasion.
“We also have an incredible group of adults who have come in locally, but also from New York and Michigan to make this production happen,” she said.
With the curtains now closed on Shrek the Musical, Steele is already ideating for next year. However, she knows a challenge lies ahead as the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium is set to undergo a major renovation.
“There’s a lot of considerations going into next year that normally don’t have to go into it, so I’m kind of a loss, but I know that we have a really good group of rising high schoolers to take the reins.”
Regardless of what next year brings, Steele said she continues to be proud to bring this type of art to Thomasville and watch students pour their heart and soul onto the stage.
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.