All that was left were the bows and curtain calls.
Padua’s two-week Drama Camp experience concluded this weekend (June 28-29), as the students presented two performances of the stage adaptation of a DreamWorks classic with Shrek The Musical Jr. inside the Padua Franciscan High School gymnasium.
Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek the Musical Jr., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical. It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale; Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.
Once upon a time, in a faraway swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he's handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn't be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.
Prior to the performances, the students in grades 6-12 sharpened their acting, singing, dancing, stagecraft, and lighting skills under the direction of Padua’s Mrs. Tamara Plasterer and stage director Miss Sarah Jesse ’12.
The students showcased their skills to capacity crowds of proud family members and friends for both performances. A special thanks to Padua’s faculty, alumni and current students who helped make the camp such a successful and fun experience for our future Bruins, some of whom are children of Padua alumni!
Great job Bruins!
Camp Administrator: Mrs. Tamara Plasterer
Stage Director: Miss Sarah Jesse ’12
Music Director: Mr. Robert Schneider III
Choreographer: Miss Molly Rosales ’22
Stage Manager: Miss Julia DiPaolo ’21
Assistant to the Stage Manager: Lauren Rasnake
Costumer: Mrs. Tessa Kostansek
Costume Intern: Madison Speroff ’26
Business Manager: Mrs. Ann-Marie DiPaolo ’86
Staff Interns: Taylor Hallock ’25, Jimmy Young, Jacob Zawoyski ‘25
Junior Interns: Casey Boyer ’26, Drew Ketvertis ’26, Amilya Lampa ’26
Master Carpenter: Matthew Pafford ‘26
Fly Rail: Alaina Gruszewski ‘25
Tech: Leila Bergmeyer ’26, Lukas Koenig and Daniel Meges
