by Tom Varner | May 22, 2015 | Uncategorized
Casting, is the single most important decision a director can make, as well as the most difficult. With nearly seventy people who auditioned, this was the single hardest casting I’ve ever been a part of. The talent that came out over the last three nights was OUTSTANDING. Everyone who auditioned should be proud to know that you did a standup job and we were highly impressed. I wish I could have every man, woman, and child in this show – BUT, it’s just not possible. I have expanded the cast to more than I had anticipated, and I truly believe this will be a stellar show! Congratulations to all, and I can’t wait to get to work!
If you do not wish to accept a role please contact me (Evan) by email at evan@hardroad.org by 8:00 p.m. this evening.
**FIRST REHEARSAL IS AT 7:00PM, TUESDAY May 26th at the ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BAND ROOM (SAME ADDRESS FROM AUDITIONS).** Scripts, Schedules, and additional info will be handed out at that point. PLEASE COME PREPARED TO BE MEASURED FOR YOUR COSTUMES. ALSO YOUR $40.00 COSTUME FEE WILL BE DUE NO LATER THAN THE BEGINNING OF REHEARSAL THURSDAY JUNE 4TH.
Principle Characters
Shrek – Josh Noll
Princess Fiona – Brenda Bass
Donkey – Paul Pitts
Lord Farquaad – Mark Conrad
Dragon – Gentry Nessel
Fairytale Creatures
Pinocchio – Jonathon Beavers
Gingy/Sugar Plum Fairy – Carrie Henrichs
Three Little Pigs – Ashley Deibert, Linda Collman, Amy McCoy
White Rabbit – Mary Knebel
Fairy Godmother – Amanda Juenger
Peter Pan – Bryce Beliveau
Tinkerbell – Ellen Nuxoll
Wicked Witch – Lori Wahl
Ugly Duckling – Megan Noll
Mama Bear – Mary McCoy
Papa Bear – Mitch England
Baby Bear – Isaac Rieke
Mad Hatter – David Whitacre
Humpty Dumpty – Breanna Noe
Shoemakers Elf – Kamryn Bugger
Dwarf (grumpy) – Patrick Boulanger
Big Bad Wolf – John Taylor
Little Red – Makaina Woods
Ensemble Characters
Papa Ogre – Tom Varner
Mama Ogre – Caitlyn Hadeler
Young Shrek – Patrick Boulanger
King Harold – Tim Albaugh
Queen Lillian – Megan Ritter
Young Fiona – Julia English
Teen Fiona – Pacey Perez
Captain of Guards – Tom Varner
Guards – Nathan Harris & Caleb Stratton
Knights – Tim Albaugh, Nathan Harris, David Palenchar
Pied Piper – Tim Albaugh
Tap Dancing Rats – Pacey Perez, Allison Hahs, Lyndsey Poettker, Mary McCoy, Megan Noll
Three Blind Mice – Beth Augustin, Breanna Noe, Amanda Renken
Bluebird (operator/voice) – Breanna Noe
Bishop – Tim Albaugh
Duloq Dancers – Mitch England, Jonathon Beavers, David Whitacre, Kayla Miller, Katherine Kirchoff,
Courtney Hochuli
Thelonius – Mitch England
Executioner – David Palenchar
Peasants and/or Chorus
Angela Nuxoll
Sarah Lipski
Margaret Polleti
Elizabeth Evans
David Palenchar
Bryce Kirsch
Candy Kirsch
Caleb Stratton
**Please note that most everyone who has a fairytale creature role or ensemble role will also be part of the chorus when not on stage. **
by Tom Varner | May 7, 2015 | Auditions
Sponsored by Bradford National Bank, Hard Road is pleased to announce auditions for SHREK. Adult auditions (those 18 and older) will take place on Tuesday, May 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the Highland Elementary School located at 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland, IL. There are roles available for 35 adults. Adults should come prepared with 32-38 measures of a Broadway-style song that suits their voice. The director will be looking to see a performer’s character as well as listen to their vocals. Those auditioning should also be prepared to read scenes from the script and learn a short dance routine. In addition, please be aware of any conflicts you might have between May 22nd – August 3rd, 2015.
Children (ages 10-17) auditions for SHREK will take place on Wednesday, May 20th at 7:00 p.m. at the Highland Elementary School located at 1800 Lindenthal Ave., Highland, IL. There are between 5-7 roles for children in SHREK. Audition materials for children can be found here:
Children SHREK Audition material
Boys auditioning should be prepared to sing “I’m a Believer”. Girls ages 10-13 who are auditioning should be prepared to sing measures 1-43 of “I Know It’s Today” and girls ages 14-17 who are auditioning should be prepared to sing measures 48-90 of “I Know It’s Today.” Memorization is not required. In addition, children auditioning might be asked to read sides from the script. Please be aware of any conflicts children might have between May 22nd – August 3rd, 2015.
SHREK callbacks for both children and adults will be on Thursday, May 21st at 7:00 p.m. at the same location.
Children who are already cast in one of Hard Road’s summer youth musicals (DISNEY’S ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR. or ZOMBIE PROM) can still audition for a role in SHREK.
Performance Dates for SHREK are July 24-26, 31 and Aug. 1-2.
If you have any questions, please contact Evan Fifer at evan@hardroad.org.
by Tom Varner | May 4, 2015 | Casting
Zombie Prom Cast List:
MISS DELILAH STRICT: Kristy Hindman-Cook
TOFFEE: Kenzie Holzinger
CANDY: Hannah Franklin
GINGER: Autumn Riggs
COCO: Madalaina Hlava
JONNY: Nathan Harris
JOSH: Dietrich Gossmeyer
JAKE: Nigel Bennett
JOEY: Nick Borror
EDDIE FLAGRANTE: Max Chapman
RAMONA MERENGUE: Pacey Perez
STAGE MANAGER: Joshua Johnson, Holly Wrobbel
ANNOUNCER: Bryce Kirsch
SECRETARIES: Johannah Comish (Sheila), Heather Kim, Makenna Grohmann
MAKE-UP LADY: Baileigh Duvall
COPY BOYS: Bryce Kirsch, Joshua Johnson
MOTORWISE GUYS: Jack Rimar, Danny Osborn, Joshua Miller
MOTHER’S VOICE: Sophia Sterzl-McMullen
FATHER’S VOICE: Dietrich Gossmeyer
CHORUS: Pacey Perez, Maddie Wesselmann, Joshua Johnson, Anna Rimar, Bryce Kirsch, Cecelia Kustermann, Johannah Comish, Claire Mueller, Heather Kim, Elizabeth Evans, Makenna Grohmann, Lizzy Rice, Baileigh Duvall, Maiya Young, Jack Rimar, Karlene Rheaume, Danny Osborn, Ali Kelso, Joshua Miller, Lacey Hanratty, Sophia Sterzl-McMullen
A sincere thank you to everyone who auditioned for this production!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CAST!!!
FIRST REHEARSAL/ READ-THRU: Monday, May 4th, 6-8 p.m. – HHS Kennel
OFFICIAL MANDATORY PARENT MEETING will take place on Monday MAY 18 at 6pm. All parents should be in attendance.
by Tom Varner | May 4, 2015 | Casting
WOW! We know that you probably think we say it every year, but SERIOUSLY, this was an extremely difficult process because we had so many talented youth auditioning. Everyone did a great job, and we were excited to see everyone strive to do his/her best! As we said during the auditions, for safety reasons, we had to limit the cast size to no more than 50. Sounds simple, right? That was definitely not the case with this awesome talent pool! We do hope that anyone who did not get a role this year will definitely keep trying and that we will see you back at auditions, next year!
For those of you who are in the cast, congratulations! This week, your schedule will be to meet on Tuesday evening (May 5th) at 5:30 p.m. at Highland High School. Plan to come in the kennel door. For those of you unfamiliar with the high school, park in the small lot to the side of the building. As you are then looking at the building, the kennel door sits toward the left. Come prepared to have your photo taken for your official photo and to do a read-through.
Thursday (May 7th) will also be rehearsal for the entire cast and the MANDATORY PARENT MEETING. Bring your $30 fee with you that evening. Also, we will have the rest of the rehearsal schedule ready for you at that time.
Okay, we guess we have kept you in suspense long enough! Here you go: the cast of Alice in Wonderland, Jr. (If you are not able to or choose not to fulfill your role, please text our producer, Tina (618-980-4825), ASAP and before 9 pm this evening, Monday, May 4th.
Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, Jr. Cast List
Cheshire Cat: Lexi Trimm, Mackenzie Myer & Autumn Meyer
Mathilda: Taylor Miller
Alice: Julia English
Tall Alice: Ciara Paubel
Small Alice: Madison Autry
White Rabbit: Spencer Powers
Doorknob: Josh Reed
DoDo Bird: Sam Huck
Rock Lobsters: Melia Oestrich, Abby Mueller, Ryann Krotz, Bailey McPhillips, Kaitlyn Borror,
Mercedes Greear & Mia Heuberger
Tweedles: Hayley Gombos & Kayla Peery
Rose: Neveah Brown
Petunia: Sarah Lipski
Lily: Justina Thomae
Violet: Mandy Mayfield
Daisy: Madi Trimm
Flowers: Amara Vrell, Madyson Whicker, Kori Huelsmann, Ellen Nuxoll, Piper Myer,
Brooke Rheume, Emily Cecil & Gracie Powers
Caterpillar: Isaac Rieke
Mad Hatter: Patrick Boulanger
March Hare: Brooke Schwalb
Door Mouse: Lizzy Rheume
Queen of Hearts: Claire Paul
King of Hearts: Talon Vrell
Cardsmen: Owen Holcomb, Adalee Clarke, Sarah Hemann, Alex Reed, Kade Schuepbach,
Julia McPhillips, Sammy Maddox
Court: Jessica Borror, Lily Niebrugge, Destiny Odle, Mya Thomilson & Riley Stroemer
