The theatre department is already preparing for its first production of the year with the cast list for Shrek the Musical released Friday.

One of the newest additions to the school’s staff, Heather Willingham, formerly directed theater at Fowler Middle School said that in casting, she wanted to be unbiased towards students she had formerly taught.

“I [tried] to keep my mind open and look at all the talent that is put in front of me, not just the kids I know, but the kids I’m just now meeting,” Willingham said. “I really tried to keep my mind open to all possibilities for the casting.”

Willingham also said that while considering who to cast in the musical, she looked not only for talent, but for character as well.

“I was looking for skill; that’s a really big part of it,” Willingham said. “I was also looking for confidence and the way students treated each other not just in the room, but in the hall and in the theater too.”
The musical will debut on Nov. 17 and run through Nov. 19.