SHREK: THE MUSICAL - Town & Country Players
Based on the Dreamworks Animation Motion Picture
And the Book by William Steig
Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Music by Jeanine Tesoi
Originally produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions
Director: Susan Galli
Producer: Suzanne Ardite
Musical Director: Mindy Rubinlicht
Choreographer: Olivia Schanbacher
Show Dates:
November 7, 8, 14, 15 and 21 at 7:30pm
November 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 2:00pm
Acting/Vocal Auditions:
Saturday, July 19 2025: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday, July 20 2025: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Saturday, July 26, 2025: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday, July 27, 2025: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Buckingham Township Municipal Building
4613 Hughesian Drive
Buckingham, PA 18912
LOWER LEVEL
https://www.buckinghampa.org/
Ensemble Dance/Movement Auditions:
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
7:00pm - 9:30pm
Featured Tap Dance Auditions:
Thursday, July 24, 2025
7:00pm - 9:30pm
Asling Mor Academy of Irish Dance Studios
2501 Bethlehem Pike - Suite 5
Hatfield, PA 19440
https://www.aislingmoracademy.com/
Callbacks (Invitation Only):
Thursday, July 31, 2025
7-9:30pm
Buckingham Township Municipal Building
4613 Hughesian Drive
Buckingham, PA 18912
LOWER LEVEL
Town & Country Players Theater is seeking actors and vocalists of all races, gender identities, abilities, body types and ages for our Fall 2025 production of Shrek: The Musical. Town & Country Players is a community volunteer led organization. ALL ROLES ARE OPEN, NON-UNION AND UNPAID. This is a Non-Equity production.
Audition Information
Each candidate will be asked to participate in both an acting/vocal audition and a dance/movement audition. These auditions will be held on separate days due to Studio space availability so please schedule both an acting/vocal audition and a dance/movement audition that suits your desired role to be considered for casting. You will be provided with an Audition Packet with all materials needed to prepare for your audition upon emailed confirmation.
Adult Vocal Auditions: All candidates will be asked to prepare a song from the show for their vocal audition that best reflects their range and/or desired role. An accompanist will be provided.
Children/Minor Vocal Auditions: All candidates will be asked to prepare a song from the show for their vocal audition that best reflects their range and/or desired role. An accompanist will be provided.
Acting Auditions: Scripted sides and instructions will be provided for all roles by email along with confirmation of audition date(s) and time(s). Audition Sides will also include Improv prompts for those wishing to audition for any Fairy Tale Creature (Pinocchio; Gingy; Three “Little” Pigs; Three Bears, etc). The Casting Team will be specifically looking for comedic characterizations and proficiency with accents (German/Austrian for Three Pigs). All Fairy Tale Creatures are open to personal interpretation - be bold and have fun with your character! (Costumes and props are not necessary). https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4CACAC2AABFD0-56825813-town
Dance Auditions: There will be two audition days set aside for dance/movement. You are only required to attend one dance audition. Ensemble Dance/General Movement audition will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 from 7-9:30pm and a Featured Tap Dance audition on Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 7-9:30pm. Depending upon your specific audition date/time, you may be seen at the dance audition prior to your vocal/acting audition.
If you are auditioning specifically for Adult Fiona, Pied Piper, featured Rat Tappers, Three Blind Mice or Duloc Dancers, you will attend the Featured Dancer audition on 7/24. You will be asked to learn and perform tap combinations. Please be prepared with tap shoes and wear comfortable clothing. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4CACAC2AABFD0-56826286-town
If you are auditioning for any role other than those stated above, you will attend the Ensemble Dance/General Movement audition on 7/23. You will be asked to learn a basic ensemble movement piece. Please wear comfortable clothing. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4CACAC2AABFD0-56826181-town
Please bring a headshot/photo and resume (if available) to your audition.
Any questions? Please email Producer (Suzanne Ardite) at [email protected].
***PLEASE NOTE: IF CAST, ADULTS (18 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER) WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR AND PROVIDE A PENNSYLVANIA CHILD ABUSE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PRODUCTION***
Important Production Dates:
Thursday July 31 - 7-9:30pm: Callbacks
Friday, August 1 - 7-9:30pm: Cast Meet/Read Thru
Sunday, October 5 - 2-5:00pm: Load In
Tuesday, October 7 - 7-9:30pm: Costume Parade
Thursday, October 9 - 7-9:30pm: Makeup/Prosthetic Workshop
Saturday, October 25 - 12-5:00pm: Full Run-Rehearsal
Sunday, October 26 - 12-5:00pm: Full Run-Rehearsal
Wednesday, October 29 - 7-10:00pm: Sitzprobe
Saturday, November 1 - 10-6pm: Tech
Sunday, November 2 - 12-6pm: Tech
Monday, November 3 - 6-10pm: Full Dress Rehearsal
Tuesday, November 4 - 6-10pm: Full Dress Rehearsal
Wednesday, November 5 - 6-10pm: Benefit Performance
CASTING AND REHEARSAL NOTES:
All roles are open. No roles have been precast.
Rehearsals will be held on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday/Thursday evenings. Due to some rehearsal space conflicts, six rehearsals will be held on Wednesdays or Fridays in August/September due to rehearsal venue conflicts. These dates are 8/11; 8/18; 9/5; 9/8; 9/15 and 9/17. All Cast Members will be provided with a schedule at our first Cast Meeting to plan accordingly.
The Production Team strives to respect each individual member’s time and will only call a Cast Member when needed for rehearsal. Cast Members will be asked to submit ALL Rehearsal conflicts for the duration of the production.
Cast Members will be given three (3) excused absences/conflicts for a called rehearsal. If a Cast Member is chronically absent or late, they will be excused from the production.
Cast Members are required to attend all rehearsals for which they are called unless a stated conflict has been submitted to the Producer/Stage Manager. All Cast Members are required to attend Load In; Costume Parade; Makeup Workshop; all Tech Rehearsals and Performances. NO EXCEPTIONS.
About the Show:
Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure, featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie; Caroline, or Change) and a side splitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire. Shrek brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there's more to the story than meets the ears.
"Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek...." And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand... and his name is Shrek. Irreverently fun for the whole family, Shrek proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre.
Character Descriptions:
SHREK (Adult Male Presenting – High Baritone/Tenor) – A terrifying ogre who lives alone in a swamp. He embarks on a journey to rid his land of fairytale creatures and, along the way, falls in love with Fiona. Begins as a grumpy hermit, but reveals his layers and eventually becomes the hero. Strong vocalist and comedic timing required.
PRINCESS FIONA (Adult Female Presenting – Soprano/High Belter) – The beautiful princess of Far-Far-Away, she transforms into an ogre every night when the sun sets. Rescued by Shrek and eventually falls in love with him. Quirky, blunt, and multi-talented, she is not an ordinary princess. Strong vocalist, comedic timing and strong dance skills required.
DONKEY (Adult Male or Female Presenting – High Baritone/Tenor or Alto with High Belt) – A talking donkey who joins Shrek on the run from Farquaad’s guards. Quite the chatterbox, he is not deterred by Shrek’s looks and practically forces himself into the ogre’s good graces. Easily frightened and pushy, but also an optimist with heart. Comedic timing and big personality are a must.
LORD FARQUAAD (Adult Male Presenting – Tenor/Tenor) – The comically short, ruthless ruler of Duloc. He is in search of a princess to marry so that he can become king. Has an intensely unfair bias against fairytale creatures that stems from a resentment of his father. Self-absorbed, lonely, and cruel. Actor will be required to play the role on knees.
DRAGON (Adult Male or Female Presenting – Alto with huge belt) – A dragon that has been charged with guarding Princess Fiona in her isolated castle. She eventually falls in love with Donkey and attempts to keep him there forever. Imposing and flirtatious, but tired of her job as the glorified baby-sitter. May double as a fairytale creature..
PINOCCHIO (Adult Male or Female Presenting – Tenor with falsetto or Soprano / Alto) – The leader of the fairytale creatures. Although portrayed by a live actor, Pinocchio is an animated puppet whose nose grows every time he lies. Plenty of sass with a penchant for lying.
PAPA OGRE (Adult Male Presenting – High Baritone) – Shrek’s father. May double as a fairytale creature.
MAMA OGRE (Adult Female Presenting – Alto) – Shrek’s mother. May double as a Fairytale Character.
YOUNG SHREK (Male Presenting Child 8-13; Non-Speaking Role) – May double in Ensemble.
YOUNG FIONA (Female Presenting Child 8-13; Soprano with Strong Belt) – Princess Fiona as a little girl. May double in Ensemble.
TEEN FIONA (Female Presenting Adolescent 14-18; Soprano with Strong Belt) – Princess Fiona as a teenager. May double as a Fairytale Creature/Ensemble.
SUGAR PLUM FAIRY / GINGY (Adult Female Presenting ) – Fairy Tale Character that doubles as a character portrayed by a puppet. May be voiced and operated by actor appearing as Sugar Plum Fairy. Comedic voice required.
3 LITTLE PIGS (Male Presenting Adult Tenors/Baritones) – Fairytale creatures with solo / trio work. Must be able to sing in harmony with a German accent.
FAIRYTALE CREATURES (All have featured roles with music/dance solos) – Wicked Witch, Humpty Dumpty, Big Bad Wolf, Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Baby Bear, Ugly Duckling, Peter Pan, Shoemaker’s Elf, White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Fairy Godmother.
ENSEMBLE CHARACTER ROLES — These include Townspeople, Thelonius the Executioner, Knights, Dragon Singers, Bishop, Blind Mice, Grumpy Dwarf.
Acting/Vocal Auditions: All candidates will be asked to prepare a song from the show for their vocal audition that best reflects their range and/or desired role. An accompanist will be provided. Scripted sides and instructions will be provided for all roles by email along with confirmation of audition date(s) and time(s). Audition Sides will also include Improv prompts for those wishing to audition for any Fairy Tale Creature (Pinocchio; Gingy; Three “Little” Pigs; Three Bears, etc). The Casting Team will be specifically looking for comedic characterizations and proficiency with accents (German/Austrian for Three Pigs). All Fairy Tale Creatures are open to personal interpretation - be bold and have fun with your character! (Costumes and props are not necessary). https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4CACAC2AABFD0-56825813-town
Dance Auditions: There will be two audition days set aside for dance/movement. You are only required to attend one dance audition. Ensemble Dance/General Movement audition will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 from 7-9:30pm and a Featured Tap Dance audition on Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 7-9:30pm. Depending upon your specific audition date/time, you may be seen at the dance audition prior to your vocal/acting audition.
If you are auditioning specifically for Adult Fiona, Pied Piper, featured Rat Tappers, Three Blind Mice or Duloc Dancers, you will attend the Featured Dancer audition on 7/24. You will be asked to learn and perform tap combinations. Please be prepared with tap shoes and wear comfortable clothing. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4CACAC2AABFD0-56826286-town
If you are auditioning for any role other than those stated above, you will attend the Ensemble Dance/General Movement audition on 7/23. You will be asked to learn a basic ensemble movement piece. Please wear comfortable clothing. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4CACAC2AABFD0-56826181-town
