The tale of an ogre, a princess, and a talking donkey took center stage at a recent Lake Ridge New Tech School Board meeting. Superintendent Dr. Sharon Johnson-Shirley and members of the LRNT School Board were treated to a musical performance by actors from Shrek the Musical, which was also recently performed by members of the Calumet New Tech High School Drama Club.
The musical took place Friday, May 12, and Saturday, May 13. The school district's West Gym was transformed into a performing arts theater thanks to the purchase of a special stage. It marked the end of a seven-year drought of live, student-produced theater at the school due to structural problems in the high school auditorium and complications brought on by the pandemic.
In honor of the event, the board welcomed cast members Aidan and Alex Stevens, and Angelina Dennison, otherwise known as Shrek, Donkey, and Princess Fiona, who performed a harmonic version of the Shrek musical number, “The Story of My Life.”
Teacher sponsors and play directors Abigael Allen (Academic Interventionist), Rhonda Franklin (Choir), and Title I Director Regin Johnson were also at the meeting. The three were presented with commendations from the board for their efforts in producing the musical and bringing theater back to Lake Ridge New Tech Schools.
According to Allen, the large-cast production of 35 was a labor of love.
“The turnout showed just how much students want to be a part of a theater production. The turnout was very encouraging for future productions,” she said.
“We enjoyed rehearsing and preparing for the musical numbers and dance routines,” Dennison said. “It was fun and gave us something to do after school. We are already looking forward to our next production.”
Several of the cast members, such as baseball player Aidan Stevens, were athletes who had to balance playing their sport and getting into character.
“It was a challenge playing baseball and rehearsing to play Shrek,” he said. “But when I would come home from baseball practice or a game, my brother would be ready to go over lines, which helped a lot. But next time, I might not take a major role,” he laughed.
Dr. Shirley called the production a welcome sight and much-needed return to normalcy following the pandemic.
“What this represents is resiliency,” she said. “This school district is bouncing back from the COVID experience. I am so proud of our talented students. Their performances were top notch. I want to thank our teachers, Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Franklin, for their dedication and hard work. I also want to thank our Title I Director, Regin Johnson; our IT team; and our maintenance crew for making this production happen.”
Board President Kim Osteen agreed with the superintendent.
“I thought it was the best night of 2023,” she said. “It was so good seeing the students on stage singing and dancing. It was a good weekend for the entire district.”
L to R: Alex Stevens, Aidan Stevens, and Angelina Dennison prepare to perform “The Story of my Life,” from Shrek the Musical, for the LRS board.
L to R: Title I Director Regin Johnson, Abigael Allen, Dr. Sharon Johnson-Shirley, and Rhonda Franklin celebrate the return of theater to LRS.