This is a contribution from a Swampscott High School student, as part of the Swampscott Tides Big Blue Student News selection. 

Story by Cam Tracy

Swampscott High School’s annual summer theater program is bringing the world of Duloc to life this July, as young performers spend five weeks preparing a production of Shrek the Musical: Kids.

The program, which began June 30 and runs through July 30, meets every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is open to students entering grades three through nine, welcoming participants both with and without previous theater experience. 

James Pearse, the Swampscott High School theater and chorus director as well as assistant theater director Kayla LeClerc are introducing campers to the fairy tale musical while helping them develop acting, singing and teamwork skills. 

“Can you believe the first movie in the Shrek franchise came out 25 years ago?” LeClerc said, explaining why she and Pearse selected this year’s show. “The musical came later in 2013. I first saw it when the professional recording was released on Netflix, featuring one of my favorite Broadway actresses, the incomparable Sutton Foster. It’s so easy to fall back in love with the characters you already know from the movies, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised how catchy and great the music is too.”

The Swampscott Tides was invited to a rehearsal on July 21. High school juniors and camp counselors Kira Madruga and Ella Doillette helped Pearse and LeClerc assisted Pearse and LeClerc as students rehearsed the ensemble number “Freak Flag,” one of the musical’s finale songs. The rehearsal concluded with a team-building activity led by the counselors.

“As a counselor I am so grateful for getting the opportunity to watch the students’ hard work unfold,” Madruga said. “As for the production, I feel each week in theater rehearsal their acting skills grow while enjoying themselves and having fun!”

After five weeks of rehearsals, the cast will present Shrek the Musical: Kids during a family-and-friends performance on Thursday, July 30, at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and seniors.

“We are so excited to share the results of our five week program with the audience,” Pearse said. “This is a great cast, and it has truly been a pleasure working with all of them.”