Shrek The Musical
Shrek the Musical is a fun-filled, high-energy stage adaptation that brings the beloved characters and fantastical world of the classic story to life like never before. Packed with catchy songs, dazzling sets, and unforgettable performances, this musical combines humor, heart, and adventure in a way that delights audiences of all ages. With its clever dialogue, colorful characters, and imaginative storytelling, Shrek the Musical celebrates friendship, self-discovery, and the power of embracing who you truly are. It’s a magical theatrical experience that promises laughter, excitement, and memorable moments for the whole family.
Photos courtesy of Martin Seelig, Catchlight Gallery
Director’s Note
Theatre is a collaborative experience: Director to cast, cast to crew, crew to tech, audience to performers. For the audience, what you see is just one small part of a much bigger picture of a hundred things that had to happen before that one great moment on stage.
And those hundred things have been a group effort by so many that might never get their moment in the spotlight. At this moment I salute you! I could not have directed Shrek without all of you. What a wonderful cast and crew! Shrek the Musical is a fun, sassy, silly, heartful story of finding out who you are and letting your freak flag wave. I hope all of you find your love, passion and your very own swamp. I have been involved in theatre since I was a kid and have experienced the joy, heartache and passion of theatre with so many people. Past, present and future. I love you all. And to Jim who is my own ogre love story.
It’s been fun. Thanks for the memories.
-Rebecca Williams
Who’s Who?
Anthony Benson
Anthony is very excited to be back on stage at ACLT as Shrek! Past roles include Hello Dolly, Church Basement Ladies, and Secret Garden and musical director for Willy Wonka and Gypsy. Anthony is the choral director at West Wilkes HS. He’s thankful to his family, Courtney and Noah, for their support!
Audrey Head
Audrey Head, Fiona, recently making her Ashe County Little Theatre debut as Rachel Ann in “Exit Laughing”, Audrey is over-the-moon to return to the stage as Princess Fiona! Audrey wants to thank her fellow cast, the crew, and Rebecca for the support and creative license to bring this feisty, lovable, fairytale character to life. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Cynthia Harless
Cynthia, a lady with many titles, is ecstatic to be sharing the stage with family again as Donkey (and Choreographer). Watching the hard work of cast as a fellow cast member and choreographer has been astonishing. She can’t wait to kick up her heels on stage and when the final curtain closes!
Michael Malloy
Michael Is so excited to be working with such a talented cast (as Lord Farquaad) especially those from his first ACLT show The Secret Garden.
Notable roles: Sebastian Little Mermaid, Mr. Wormwood Matilda, Igor Young Frankenstein and Coroner Land of Oz. Michael and his husband Larry live in Ashe with their beagles Max and Smokey.
Aiden DePalma
Aiden’s a 10 year old going on 11 year old on July 4 and has been in 10 plays since he started acting and ACLT gives the perfect chance for young-old actors to have a chance to act in all sorts of plays. He is excited to join us as Young Shrek, and Shoemaker’s Elf.
Elsie Friesland
Much like the residents of Far Far Away, Elsie enjoys a world full of adventure, creativity, and imagination! When she’s not on stage, she loves reading, drawing, writing, singing, and crafting. Elsie is thrilled to be part of this theater production as Young Fiona and Shoemaker Elf, and would like to thank director Rebecca Williams for welcoming her into the cast of Shrek the Musical. She hopes you enjoy this swamp-tacular show!
Malorie Harless
Malorie is no stranger to the stage. She began dancing at age two and has been in a number of plays and other performances. Malorie has enjoyed performing in musicals like Willy Wonka, Gypsy, Matilda, and Fiddler on the Roof. She is so excited to be in Shrek as Teen Fiona. Malorie enjoys singing and dancing through life!
Jewels Hiseley
Jewels is thrilled to be a part of Shrek: The Musical as Mama Ogre, Duloc Dancer, Dragonette, and Rat dancer. This is her first show with Ashe County Little Theatre and she is so grateful to be a part of such an amazing cast. Being a musical fanatic and an artist, this show is a dream come true.
Stephen Banks (Pinocchio)
Stephen has been in over half a dozen ACLT shows including Fiddler on the Roof and The Christians. He also serves as VP of Ashe County Little Theatre.\He would like to thank this cast and crew, as well as our audience, for a great show!
Sarah Brant (Ugly Duckling, Duloc Singer)
Sarah is a 21 year old theater and singing enthusiast. Sarah began her acting journey through Missoula Children’s Theater. Sarah has since been in many ACLT productions including: Young Frankenstein, A Christmas Carol, Matilda, Dracula, Café Murder and New Wendy. However, Sarah’s passion is singing. She is a member of the Bethany United Methodist Choir and has participated the past two years in Ashe Community Singers.
Brant Burgiss (Papa Ogre / Big Bad Wolf / Guard / Knight / Bishop)
Past ACLT shows include Hello Dolly, Willy Wonka, To Kill A Mockingbird, Bus Stop, and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, as well as other regional community theatre productions and audiobooks. He is married to Amy and they have 2 daughters. When not on stage, Brant is the manager for Thistle Meadow Winery in Laurel Springs.
Jocelynn Chatham (Pig 2, Pied Piper, Duloc Singer)
Jocelynn is 15 years old abd a rising Junior at Ashe Early College. In previous ACLT productions she has been Victoria in New Wendy, Fiddler in Fiddler on the Roof, and more on and off stage. Jocelynn is thrilled to be a part of this amazing production of Shrek the Musical!
Hollie Coldiron (Happy Villager/Baby Bear/ Doloc Singer)
Hollie enjoys Theater and music. She is a student at Ashe County Early College and is involved in ACEC theatre and ACHS marching band.
Corinne Cotan (Peter Pan, Duloc Singer, Happy Villager)
Corrinne is making her Ashe County Little Theatre debut. She discovered her love for theater at a young age and is thrilled to hopefully inspire that love in others. Corinne is a manager at the Spice and Tea Exchange in downtown West Jefferson.
Parker Dula ( Music Director)
Parker is originally from Fletcher NC, Parker has made the high country his home for the past 3 years. He is the band and choir director at Ashe County high school. He attended UNCG achieving a bachelors in music education. Parker performs tuba with the Watauga community band and other groups along with working the UNCG summer music camp. Shrek the Musical is his third musical production with ACLT. He enjoys working on all of the music of the show and bringing the stories to life on the stage. Thank you for supporting the performing arts tonight!
Ava Edgell (Humpty Dumpty, Duloc dancer, Rat dancer)
Ava makes her return to the ACLT stage as Humpty Dumpty. Though her last performance was in 2019, the love of theatre never left her heart. Ava would like to express her sincere gratitude to her family and boyfriend for their support in her return to the stage.
Lany Elliott (Guard)
Lany is a student at Ashe County High School and participates in band. Shrek is her first theater production since elementary school.
Jill Gambill (Wicked Witch, Duloc Singer, Dragonette)
Jill has been active in the ACLT since 2000. She has been in more than 30 shows with her favorite roll being The Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical with her daughter. She has been a teacher at Ashe County Middle School for the past 27 years.
Delia Gambill (White Rabbit, Duloc Singer)
Delia has been involved in theater since she was 6 years old. She was Matilda in Matilda the Musical and has played various other roles. She will be enrolled in Ashe Early College in the Fall.
Allison Gerhert (Little Red, Duloc dancer, Rat dancer, Blind Mouse)
Allison recently moved to Ashe County from Arizona and is thrilled to be a new member of Ashe County Little Theater. Allison has been involved in theater for most of her life through acting, directing, or providing ASL interpretations and has always felt at home on the stage.
Mary Greenwood (Queen Lillian, Mama Bear, Duloc Singer, Dragonette)
This is Mary’s second show with ACLT, having played Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof. She also played the witch in Into the Woods with the Wilkes County Players last spring. Singing is Mary’s favorite thing to do, so she is thrilled to be here.
Sheyenne Greer (Guard)
Sheyenne is a student as Ashe County High School and she enjoys playing the band. Shrek is her first ACLT production.
Kelly Halsey (Evil Stepsister, Duloc dancer, Rat dancer, Blind Mouse)
Kelly is excited to be back on the ACLT stage again for such a fun show. She has been performing since she was 12, when she got her start as one of Fagan’s “boys” in Oliver! Some of Kelly’s favorite roles have included the title role in Annie!, Veruca in Willy Wonka, and Ermengard in Hello Dolly! Kelly was recently seen as Valerie in Cafe Murder. Kelly lives in West Jefferson with her perfect doggo LeeRoy and her beautiful cat, Boo. Kelly is honored to work with such a great cast and director and is grateful for all of the friendships she has made.
Maggie Harless (Elf, Duloc Dancer, Rat Dancer, Blind Mouse)
Maggie is happy to return to the stage this summer for Shrek. No stranger to the stage, her favorite ACLT productions are Gypsy, Secret Garden, and Willy Wonka. She likes to disco occasionally and dance with all her friends.
Zmiyah Hice (Sugar Plum Fairy/ Gingy)
Zmiyah enjoys theater and has been involved with community theater in Caldwell County since she was 9 years old. Some of her roles include Devalyn in CSI neverland, “Peter Pan” in Peter Pan, and Pepper in Annie just to name a few. Zmiyah is excited about this opportunity to be in one of her favorite shows and can’t wait to show you her amazing talent!
Gage Hiseley (Thelonious, Mad Hatter, Knight, Happy Villager)
Gage makes his musical debut with ACLT. Long ago, he acted as Old D’Artagnan and Cardinal Guard in Three Musketeers in Texas. Longer still, he was Dormouse in Alice in Wonderland in Alaska. He is glad to be a part of this production.
Katie Belle Hiseley (Shoemaker Elf)
Katie is delighted to be performing in her 2nd production at Ashe County Little Theater. Katie is going into 6th grade and enjoys hanging out with friends Alaska, Levi and Elsie (a fellow shrekkie). Katie Belle considers herself a Hamilton superfan and she adores the song “My Shot”. Katie has 4 siblings, 2 of which are in this production, Gage and Jewels. She thanks her parents Toby and Kimberly for the opportunity to be in Shrek the Musical.
Michael Howell (King Harold/Captain of the Guard)
Michael’s excited to be performing in a fourth musical at ACLT. Last year he played Mr. Mushnik in “Little Shop of Horrors,” Brother Jay in “The Christians,” and Fancy Pants the Pirate in “New Wendy in Neverland.” He thanks the cast and crew for another great show experience!
Junine Johnson (Dragon/Vocal Coach)
Junine is excited to be back for her 5th project with ACLT. Previous roles include Leona (Exit Laughing), Baker’s Wife (Into The Woods), Lucy (Dracula), Golde (Fiddler), and Vocal Coach (Little Shop of Horrors). Offstage, Junine’s an attorney, private voice teacher, and AuntieNini to her twin 9-month-old niece and nephew.
Gage Lambert (Pig 1, Duloc Big Head)
Gage is a sophomore at Ashe Early College. He has had blast in the swamp with his fellow fairy tale characters and enjoyed bringing the fairy tale world alive. Enjoy the show!
Rosie Leslie (Shoemaker’s Elf, Mother Goose)
Rosie is making her ACLT stage debut in Shrek the Musical. She is in the 5th grade at Blue Ridge Elementary school.
Miles Poteat (Happy Villager/Papa Bear/Knight/Castle Guard)
Miles has been a lifelong theater nerd. While not having been in a production in Ashe since Missoula Children’s Theater in high school, they are thrilled to be a part of the theater community once more and look forward to a fantastic show!
Sophia Roten (Evil Stepsister/ Doloc Singer)
Sophia has been in ACLT since she was a few months old. Sophia was in Matilda as well as several other plays She is 12 years old and very artsy.
Ella Roush (Shoemaker Elf)
Ella is incredibly excited to be a part of the Shrek cast. Ella recently took part in a role in Neverland and this will be her second play. Outside of the theater, Ella loves to spend her free time coloring, playing with friends and collecting NeeDohs. Ella would like to thank her family, friends, and the amazing cast and crew for this wonderful experience.
Renee Thompson (Pig 3, Duloc Singer)
Renee is very excited to be reunited with Ashe County Little Theater after receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Appalachian State. She is eager to act again after a hiatus from the stage since 2019 while she achieved her degree. She is thankful for Shrek in reigniting her whimsical side, and looks forward to her future directorial and acting projects through the Little Theater!
Jim Williams (Producer)
Jim has been a member of ACLT since 2009, performing, directing, and light design. He directed Exit Laughing the first production of 2026. He his favorite role as been Scrooge in A Christmas Carol and the live ACLT radio verions of A Christmas Carol. Jim lives in West Jefferson with his wife, Rebecca.
Felix Young (Shoemaker Elf)
Felix is excited to be part of Shrek The Musical! This is her second production, and she has loved bringing the world of Far Far Away to life on stage. Outside of theater, Felix enjoys arts and crafts and spending time with friends and family. She would like to thank the cast, crew, and everyone who supported this production. Enjoy the show!
Production Staff
Director: Rebecca Williams
Producer: Jim Williams
Stage Manager: Mary Job
Choreographer: Cynthia Harless
Music & Orchestra Director: Parker Dula
Orchestra Manager: Mary Silver
Accompanist: Sylvia Zahner
Vocal Coach: Junine Johnson
Backstage Techs: David Hecht, Devin Hice, Jerry Brandt
Costume Design: Rebecca Williams
Costume Techs: Jan Gambill, Jill Gambill, Michael Malloy, Peggy Brandt, Ava Edgel, Maggie Harless, Malorie Harless, Cynthia Harless, Annette DePalma, Felix Young, Marilyn Miller, Charna Howson
Gingy Puppet Design: Sally Kinka
Dragon: Jewels Hiseley, Miles Poteat, Laney Elliott
Dragon Puppeteers: David Hecht, Devin Hice, Laney Elliott, Sheyenne Greer
Duloc Big Head: Ashe Early College Art Students
Makeup/Hair Design: Charna Howson
Makeup/Hair Techs: Annette DePalma, Edie Miller, Jocelyn Chatham, Gage Lambert, Peggy Brandt
Set Design: Jerry Brandt, Rebecca Williams, Mary Job
Master Carpenter: Jerry Brandt
Set Construction: David Hecht, Ken Kinka, Mike Kotula, Les Miller, Mike Rocha, Jim Williams, Michael Howell, Sarah Brandt
Set Painting: Mary Job, Allison Gerhart, Jan Kotula
Lighting Design and Tech: Lennon Lupton
Props: Peggy Brandt, Jerry Brandt, Edie Miller, Maggie Harless, Malorie Harless, Cast and Crew
Photographer: Martin Seelig
Sound Design and Tech: Richard Edmondson
Backstage Sound Tech: Mike Rocha
Videographer: Shalamar Blevins
Poster Design: Brooke Calhoun
Marketing / Promotion: Shalamar Blevins, Jan Kotula
Publicity: Rebecca Williams
Fundraising: Shalamar Blevins, Jan Kotula
House Managers: Mike and Jan Kotula
Front of House Volunteers: Janet and Bob Edsell, Beth Calhoun, Vicki Lutz, Della Vodenicker, Jan Gambill, Christina Wagoner, Sally Kinka, Sarah Roush, Diane Newby, Dan Wilson, Eli Accetta, David and Lynn Hecht, Donna Bare, Kim Korb, Shalamar Blevins, Mona Lisa Dockery, Michael Dugger, Courtney Hartzog, Donna Bare, Ken Tumin, Camri McCormick
Produced by special arrangements with Music Theatre International. 423 West 55th Street, 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10019 ©MTI Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
