Pearl Lorentzen
Lakeside Leader

EG Wahlstrom School Grade 4 to 6 students are putting on Shrek the Musical in May. They’ve been rehearsing since the school year began.

Teachers Andy Cahill, Taylor Halbert, and Lynn Bain are in charge of the production. Cahill and Halbert are working with the actors, singers, and dancers on stage. Bain is in charge of props and set design.

Some of the props are being made by classes, so the whole school is involved.

In the fall, around 100 students (about half of the school) auditioned for the play, with 35 receiving parts.

The play has an eight-month rehearsal schedule, with kids only coming to practice on the days when they are on stage.

“It’s run very smoothly,” says Cahill.

Working with 35 nine to 12 year olds is a lot of work.

“It’s fun though,” says Halbert. “They love it.”

Being part of the play gives kids “a safe place to be loud and silly,” says Cahill.

The teachers have been struck by “the wealth of talent that the kids bring,” says Cahill. “Different kids get a chance to shine. I’m super happy we can provide that for them.”

The kids in the chorus sing and dance in most scenes, so they have been at most of the practices.

“There’s a lot of dancers,” says Cahill. They learn the choreography, so the other kids can watch them to learn the routines.

The musical follows the story of Shrek, but is only one hour long. It also has different songs.

The last play EGW did was Aladdin in 2019.

Cahill has a theatre background. Halbert has a dancing background.

“I did a few courses with fine arts,” she adds.

Shrek will be at EGW on May 30 and 31 from 7 to 8 p.m.

Tickets will be available at the door, by donation. There will be a draw for the best seat in the house, which is usually a couch.