CASTING

The Theatre in the Park is committed to non-discrimination and a flexible, imaginative casting policy. We also strive to be culturally conscience as it pertains to social and historical content. Performers of all ethnicities are strongly encouraged to audition.  Questions about casting?  Send us a note here!

CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS

Shrek - Our story's title character. A big, green, terrifying ogre who lives alone on a swamp. He embarks on a journey to rid his land of fairytale creatures and, along the way, falls in love with Fiona. Begins as a grumpy hermit, but reveals his layers and eventually becomes the hero.  (G#4 – A2, Scottish accent required.  The performer for Shrek will have a very early call time for prosthetic application.  Shrek prosthetics are made of latex – performers must not have a latex allergy.)

Fiona - The beautiful princess of Far Far Away, she transforms into an ogre every night when the sun sets. Rescued by Shrek and eventually falls in love with him. Quirky, blunt, and multitalented, she is not an ordinary princess. (G5 – F3, tap experience preferred.  Ogre prosthetics are made of latex – performers must not have a latex allergy)

Donkey - A talking donkey who joins Shrek on the run from Farquaad's guards. Quite the chatterbox, he is not deterred by Shrek's looks and practically forces himself into his good graces. Easily frightened and pushy, but also an optimistic with heart. (B4 – C3)

Lord Farquaad - The comically short, ruthless ruler of Duloc. He is in search of a princes to marry so that he can become king. Has an intensely unfair bias against fairytale creatures that stems from a resentment of his father. Self-absorbed, lonely, and cruel. (D5 – B2, as traditionally done, will be played on knees)

Dragon - A dragon that has been charged with guarding Princess Fiona in her isolated castle. She eventually falls in love with Donkey and attempts to keep him there forever. Imposing and flirtatious, but tired of her job as the glorified baby-sitter. (Eb5 – F3)

Gingy - A gingerbread man initially kidnapped by Lord Farquaad. His wit and resolution help him both avoid trouble and inspire the rest of the fairytale creatures. Puppet. (C#5 – B3)

Pinocchio - The leader of the fairytale creatures. He is an animated puppet whose nose grows every time he lies. Plenty of sass with a penchant for lying. (F#4 – E3)

Ensemble - Fairytale Creatures (Big Bad Wolf, Three Little Pigs, White Rabbit, Fairy Godmother, Peter Pan, Wicked Witch, Ugly Duckling, Three Bears, Mad Hatter, Humpty Dumpty, Elf, Dwarf, Three Blind Mice); Angry Mob; Happy People; Guards; Knights; Rats

Youth Ensemble - Young Fiona & Young Shrek will also play ensemble characters throughout the show.

Aunt Eller  - Laurey's aunt; a hearty woman of a certain age. The proprietress of her family’s farm, Aunt Eller is a respected authority within the community. She is friendly and good-humored but does not suffer foolishness. Aunt Eller keeps the peace while holding a protective eye over Laurey and Curly. By request of the crowd, she acts as auctioneer for the Box Social. (D3 – A4)

Curly - A handsome young cowboy of great skill – and he knows it. Hailing himself as the "best bronc buster" in the territory, Curly thinks everything's going his way. He is in pursuit of Laurey and doesn’t quite understand why she hasn’t fallen instantly for him. Though he finds competition in the hired farmhand Jud Fry, Curly ultimately gets his girl. (Db3 – F4)

Laurey - Aunt Eller's niece, growing into a young lady, Laurey is at an age where she wants so many things that she can't seem to make up her mind, including who should take her to the Box Social. Independent and fiercely stubborn, Laurey questions social expectations. While her affection leans to Curly, she is attracted to Jud as well, though he scares her. In the end, Laurey does what she needs to do, boldly, by firing Jud and choosing Curly. (D4 – E5)

Will Parker - Charming and goofily thick-headed, Will is a prize-winning steer roper who just got back from the Kansas City Fair, where he won the $50 he needs to marry Ado Annie, his promised girl. Despite his poor judgment and comic inability to handle money, Will manages – somehow – to win Ado Annie’s hand. (Eb3 - F4)

Jud Fry - Aunt Eller and Laurey's rough-hewn farmhand, Jud lives in a smokehouse, where he displays farm tools and postcards of nude women. A social outcast, he has a murky and questionable past. Lonely and misunderstood, Jud is desperate for connection, making his desire for Laurey both heartbreaking and potentially dangerous. (D3 - C#4)

Ado Annie Carnes - Vivacious, playful and open-hearted, Ado Annie has just discovered what it means to be an attractive young girl – men hadn’t paid any mind until recently. Promised to Will Parker, she nonetheless agrees to accompany Ali Hakim to the Box Social while Will is away. Which man does she prefer? Whoever she's with, of course. (C4-E5)

Ali Hakim - A Persian peddler who has wandered into town, Ali Hakim is an opportunist, a shrewd businessman, and a bit of a player. Cornered into marrying Ado Annie, he must think and act quickly to reverse his fortune.

Gertie Cummings - A young woman who jumps on the opportunity to have Curly take her to the Box Social, Gertie has an annoying, distinctive laugh.

Ike Skidmore - A local man who helps get a crowd of folks from Bushyhead to his ranch for the Box Social. (D3 – F4)

Fred - Another man in town, one of Curly's friends. (E3-B3)

Slim - A friend of Will Parker's.

Andrew Carnes - Ado Annie's father and the local judge, he hunts rabbits and usually has his shotgun at the ready. (E3 – F4)

Cord Elam  - One of the men in town, a federal marshal. (F#3 – A3)

Ensemble – To include Ellen, Kate, Jess, Chalmers, Mike, Joe, Sam, Sylvie, Armina, Aggie, and more.

J. Pierrepont Finch - Our story's protagonist. An irrepressible, clear-eyed, almost puckish hero, he is a window washer who applies for a job at the World Wide Wicket Company and attempts to climb the 'ladder of success.' (C3 – G4)

Gatch - A sleazy executive with a penchant for the ladies.

Smitty - A secretary with a painfully dry sense of humor. She is a cynical, working woman who is on the lookout for a man. Tap experience a plus.  (A#3 – G5)

Mr. Twimble - He is a fussy, old-fashioned, yet loyal employee at the company. Supervisor of the mailroom, he believes his success is due to his lack of ambition and ability to remain unnoticed. (C#3 – E4)

J.b. Biggley - The stuffed-shirt, philandering President of World Wide Wicket. Beneath his ruthless exterior, he is a college lad at heart with a passion for knitting. (C3 – A4)

Bud Frump - Biggely's nephew and scheming employee. He is an arrogant sycophant who tries to advance his career by exploiting his family connections. (C3 – F4)

Wally Womper - The company's Chief Executive Officer and a former window-washer. (D3 – E4)

Rosemary - A secretary at the company who is more interested in finding a man than advancing her career. She becomes Finch's love interest. (A3 – B4)

Miss Jones - J.B.'s stuffy secretary who is abrupt and tough, but soft and kind to those who are good to her. (Bb3 – Gb5)

Hedy - A voluptuous, sexually-charged woman adored by all of the men. She may appear dim-witted, but she knows how to manipulate men to get what she wants. (C4 – Eb5)

Ensemble - Scrubwomen, Executives, Secretaries.  Tapping for female presenting ensemble a plus.  Tumbling/athletic dancing for male presenting ensemble a plus.

Quasimodo - The title character and bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral. Born with deformities, most notably a hunched back, he lives cloistered in the cathedral obedient to his caretaker, Frollo. Although his appearance causes others to treat him cruelly, he is big-hearted and brave and finds sanctuary in a vivid imagination that brings to life the bells and gargoyles of the cathedral. Strong singer, actor, and mover. (Tenor, Bb2 – Bb4)

Claude Frollo - Archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral and the most powerful cleric in Paris, he is the reluctant caretaker of Quasimodo. He will do whatever it takes to rid the city of the Roma “vermin,” even as he lusts after Esmeralda. Calculating, manipulative, and obsessive. Strong singer and actor.  (Bass/Baritone, E2 – D4)

Esmeralda - A beautiful and free-spirited Romani woman who possesses a strong sense of justice and morality. Compassionate and brave, she frees Quasimodo from the frenzied mob at the Feast of Fools and falls in love with the self-assured Phoebus. Strong singer, actor, and technical dancer. (Mezzo, Eb3 -Db5)

Clopin Trouillefou - The clever and charismatic King of the Roma, he is witty and playful, but boasts a dark, serious nature when not performing for the crowd. Strong singer, actor, and mover. (Tenor, C3 – G4)

Captain Phoebus de Martin - Returning to Paris after serving in the war, Phoebus takes up his new position as Captain of the Cathedral Guard. Overconfident yet charming, this handsome, strong soldier makes the ladies swoon, and he openly defies the corrupted Frollo. Strong singer, actor, with some stage combat (Tenor, Ab2 – Ab4)

The following roles will also double as Congregation/Ensemble:

Jehan Frollo - Claude’s reckless younger brother. With Florika, he fathers Quasimodo, who he leaves in his brother’s care. Wild, passionate, and strong-willed.  Strong singer and actor. (Tenor, G#2 – Eb4)

Florika - A Romani woman and Quasimodo’s mother. (C#4 – F5)

Father Dupin - A priest of Notre Dame and Claude and Jehan’s guardian. (C4 – A4)

Lieutenant Frederic Charlus - Lieutenant of the Cathedral Guard and loyal friend to Phoebus.

King Louis XI - King of France, nicknamed the Prudent.

Tribunal - A judicial officer. (G2 – E4)

Madam - Owner of a brothel and safe haven for the Roma. 

Saint Aphrodisius - A stained-glass image that comes to life. (Tenor, B2 – E4)

Congregation/Ensemble - Members of the congregation play an important role in this show as narrators, gargoyles, saints, soldiers, Roma, and citizens of Paris.  Ensemble should be comfortable  acting, singing, and dancing to assist in their pivotal role of storytelling through the show.  The congregation/ensemble may have some stage combat.  Many of these roles will have solo singing lines and speaking parts throughout the show.

On-Stage Choir - The On‑Stage Choir performs as part of the production’s sacred choral sound and appears onstage throughout the show.  Although they do not play named characters, choir members function alongside the Congregation to support major musical moments and help create the atmosphere of the cathedral and the world of Paris. The choir performs in nearly every part of the show singing in English, Latin, and Romani. Choir members will be seated or standing on stage for most of the show and will not be required to learn/perform choreography, although may be required to climb stairs to the choir lofts.

Strong choral singers with excellent blend, musicianship, and who are comfortable reading music.  Auditionees will have the option to select whether or not they would be interested in being cast in the on-stage choir. (All vocal parts)