Addison Elementary bringing “Shrek the Musical KIDS” to Looney’s May 8-9

LAKESHORE - The saying Beauty is in the Eye of the Ogre will be brought to the stage on Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9, when Addison Elementary students will perform the play Shrek The Musical KIDS at the Dual Destiny theater at the Looney’s complex.
The play will be performed for school students during the day Friday, May 8, with performances for the public that night as well as Saturday, May 9, at 7 p.m., with doors opening to the public at 6:30 p.m., announced Addison Elementary Principal Cindy Hastings.
Admission is a $10 donation that will go to support the new Addi Arts Program at Addison Elementary, with 21st Century parents of cast members receiving golden tickets, to watch the show free of charge, Hastings explained.
Hastings, who is also the production manager,  has a background in theater, directing productions for 17 years before coming to AES as principal this past year.
“My philosophy is that a well-rounded child is exposed to academics, athletics and the arts,” Hastings stated. “So it has been in my heart, and I was determined that they were going to have access to something.
“I wanted performing arts, and I wanted them to have an opportunity to show what they could do,” Hastings added. “I know they have done shows here and there, but I believe it’s the first time they have done a stand-alone musical.”
The Shrek production will involve students from kindergarten through 6th grade, with the entire production numbering around 40 cast members and five stage crew members, Hastings explained.
Hastings began talking to students about the production and gathering interest in September, 2025, with auditions taking place in January, she said.
Rehearsals took place after auditions, leading to the production, which will involve not only acting but singing and dancing, Hastings explained.
Since the productions involves such a variety of ages, an entire team has been working with them, including director Karen Woodard, assistant director and vocal coach Beverly Ridgeway, choreographer and vocal coach Gracie Flynn, with Hastings as production manager and costume planner.
“Shrek The Musical KIDS” is based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks animation film and Broadway musical  “It’s a Big Bright Beautiful World,” Hastings stated.
In the production Shrek, described as “everyone’s favorite ogre,” will lead a cast of fairy tale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance, Hastings said. 
The show contains a powerfully positive message for the whole family, organizers explained.
The production has been enhanced through an anonymous donor, with plans to seek arts related grants and build the Addi Arts Program so, in the future, it can be self-sustaining, Hastings said.
Parents have helped provide costumes for the children in the production, and the school has also provided assistance, organizers added.
“I have been blown  away by the talent of these kids,” Hastings said. “They have skills that they did not know they had, and it has been a blessing to watch them blossom over the last few months.
“I truly believe,” Hastings continued, “this is a new era for Addison Elementary. I hope we continue to be successful in academics and athletics, and I look forward to adding excellence in the arts to our future accomplishments.”
Addison 6th grade student Luke James, who will be playing Shrek in the production, said, “It was the best experience in the whole school. I will never regret doing this.”
Sixth grade student Pete Gilmore, who will be playing the donkey in the production, added, “I would be able to give up anything to do it again. I hope somehow we can have another show next year.”
“We are grateful that Mrs. Hastings came here and got this together for us,” added student Dawson Privett, who plays Pinocchio.
“It’s been a blessing to be in it,” added Carter Crooks, who plays Gingy.
Hastings thanked J.D. Snoddy, president of the Winston County Arts Council, which owns the Looney’s complex, for providing the Dual Destiny stage and auditorium for the production.
“We welcome any schools that want to have a play, so we were tickled when (Hastings) called us and was talking about the play,” Snoddy said.
“We want to work with them anyway we can to continue to promote the arts and the artistic ability of our kids in school,” Snoddy added.
“People who are artistic come from all areas of life,” he said. “Artistic abilities can fall into every realm of life, so it’s good for the kids. It promotes better grades.”
The Looney’s complex is the site for prayer and patriotism services, plays, concerts as well as  any events that promote arts in Winston County, Snoddy concluded.
Cast and crew members for Shrek The Musical KIDS:
Shrek: Luke James; Princess Fiona and Teen Fiona: (double cast) Lillie Woods, Haidyn Gillespie; Young Fiona: Ramie Melson; Donkey: Pete Gilmore; Lord Farquaad: Liam Mares; Storyteller 1: Lillie Woods, Haidyn Gillespie; Storyteller 2: Lily Sifuentes; Storyteller 3: Ramie Melson; Captain of the Guards: Konnor Oliver; Bishop: Greyson Parker;
Mama Ogre: Carol Cleghorn; Papa Ogre: Derek Cleghorn; Child Ogre: Triton Bryan; Dragon: Harmony Sprenger; 
Fairy Tale creatures: Pinocchio: Dawson Privett; Gingy: Carter Crooks; Pig 1: Jessie Ray Bates; Pig 2: Peyton Bryan; Pig 3: Ila May; Wicked Witch: Charlie Johnson; Ugly Duckling: Channing Johnson;
Big Bad Wolf: Jhett Wiggins; Peter Pan: Eli Burleson; Fairy Godmother: Cali Beth Yarbrough; Dwarf: Aries Nix; Baby Bear: Houston Seymore; Mama Bear: Elaina Brown; Papa Bear: Isaac Kimbrough;
Extra Fairy Tale characters: Alice in Wonderland: Kennedy Traynom; Three Blind Mice: Kyleigh Baker, Avary Dickey, Emma Cutcher; Sugar Plum Fairy: Gigi Flynn; Tinkerbell: Laiyton Lee; Goldilocks: Kennedy Smith; Little Bo Peep: Amelia Woodard; Little Red Riding Hood: Karolina Stone;
Extra guards: Lucas Gray, Tyler Brakeman, Knox Carden; Zebb Wiggins; 
Stage crew: Averie Gillespie, Gabe Wade, Leah Green, Kylee Stewart, Cash Roberts, Anakin Denson, Lillie Boatwright.