Scotts Valley Students To Let Their “Freak Flag Fly”

Nasty will be nice and Scotts Valley will be ogre-the-moon when Scotts Valley Middle School Drama students present their production of Shrek The Musical JR. beginning May 16 at 7 p.m. The family-friendly musical comedy follows the adventures of an ogre named Shrek who sets off on a quest to save a princess from a dragon, and discovers the power of friendship, acceptance, and self-love along the way.

“Shrek’s story reminds us to examine our prejudices, rethink our limitations, and embrace what makes each of us unique,” says Alexie Neall, SVMS Drama teacher. “Our cast and crew have taken that journey together, learning more about themselves and each other as they built something joyful, meaningful, and collaborative. As we say goodbye to our graduating 8th graders, I couldn’t be more proud of the heart and courage they’ve shown.”

This year’s production has been especially meaningful thanks to the extraordinary collaboration between students, parents, and staff. With over 50 cast members and an expanded ensemble of fairy-tale characters, the show required tremendous effort, and Scotts Valley families rose to the challenge. Students contributed far beyond acting, with many helping design costumes, paint sets, and manage backstage logistics. Parent volunteers built elaborate set pieces, coordinated costume fittings, donated props and costumes, and even constructed a fully custom tower and outhouse!

A special thank-you goes to Scott Yates of Yates Woodworking in Scotts Valley, whose expert craftsmanship brought Fiona’s tower to life on stage. His time, materials, and artistry gave the show a standout set piece that helped immerse audiences in the fairytale world of Shrek.

Leading the cast with passion and charm are three standout 8th grade performers: Ryan Stallings as the lovable ogre Shrek, Taylor Herteman as the bold Princess Fiona, and Tanner Zube as Shrek’s loyal and laugh-out-loud sidekick Donkey. A hero’s journey wouldn’t be complete without a villain, and that villain is Lord Farquaad, played hilariously by Adrian DeSantos. All four eighth-grader’s chemistry, comedic timing, and vocal talent have brought these iconic characters to life with heart and originality.

Another exceptional contributor is 8th grader Kara Saiki, whose remarkable artistic talents brought several of the show’s most memorable elements to life. Kara designed and built both the Dragon and the Gingerbread Man puppets entirely from scratch, crafted the whimsical sets, and even engineered Lord Farquaad’s iconic tiny legs, all with imagination, detail, and humor far beyond her years. Her work became a visual centerpiece of the production and reflects an inspiring level of creativity and dedication for such a young artist. She also stars as the Gingerbread Man.

In addition to student innovation, faculty support across departments helped elevate the entire production. Ms. Andy Stenros, SVMS’s 8th grade History teacher, choreographed the show’s musical numbers with energy and creativity that brought the stage to life. Her dynamic movement direction added a sense of magic and fun to every scene. Mrs. Lacey Coenen-Villa, the school’s Band Teacher, provided expert vocal coaching that helped student performers develop confidence and power in their singing. Meanwhile, Mr. Arnie Serigstad’s Audio Production class contributed custom digital music and sound design for scene transitions, giving the entire show a professional polish and showcasing the incredible talent developing in SVMS’s music and tech programs.

The musical has not only brought joy to its audiences, but also created new friendships and deepened bonds between students, parents, and staff. As the cast sings in the show’s anthem, “Let Your Freak Flag Fly,” SVMS proudly celebrates the creativity, commitment, and courage of its students, and the village of support that made it all possible.

Shrek The Musical JR. is a hilarious and heartwarming tale about an unlikely hero, a grumpy ogre, who finds unexpected friendship, faces his fears, and embraces what makes him different. Along the way, he teams up with a wisecracking donkey, rescues a feisty princess, and helps a band of misfit fairy-tale creatures reclaim their home and their pride.

With music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, Shrek The Musical is based on the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks Animation film and the book Shrek by William Steig. The original Broadway production ran for twelve months and received twelve Drama Desk Awards and eight Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical.

Scotts Valley Middle School in Scotts Valley will present Shrek The Musical JR. on May 16th at 7pm, and May 17th at 2pm (Understudy Show) and 7pm at the Scotts Valley Middle School Theater at 8 Bean Creek Rd. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for seniors and students, and may be purchased at: https://cur8.com/25828/project/131205

For more information, please contact Alexie Neall at (831) 438-0610 or aneall@scottsvalleyusd.org.

Shrek The Musical JR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 | Phone: 212-541-4684 | Fax: 212-397-4684 | www.MTIShows.com