Middle School Drama Production | Shrek Jr.

Middle School Drama Production | Shrek Jr.

“Ogres are like onions…” Shrek’s famous line might be about layers, but it turns out it's also a pretty great way to describe middle school theater. In Westview’s recent production of Shrek Jr., students peeled back their own layers of nerves, hesitation, and inexperience, uncovering something wonderful: confidence, personality, and a whole lot of joy.

Music and drama teacher Nelson Armstrong and art teacher Kaylee Bond, the creative team behind the show, said the decision to take on Shrek Jr. came from a lot of brainstorming, both with each other and with their students.

“We wanted something with a big cast,” said Mr. Armstrong. “We had a lot of boys this year, and Shrek Jr. just fit the personalities of this group really well.”

The kids were already familiar with the story and loved the humor, which made Shrek a natural fit. “Our kids are genuinely funny,” said Mrs. Kaylee. “They really leaned into their roles and made them their own.”

One of the most rewarding parts, they said, was watching students respond to the audience. “We talked with them a lot about how a crowd might react,” said Mrs. Kaylee. “During dress rehearsal, it was loud and a little chaotic, but they powered through. When the parents came for opening night and started laughing, the kids just soaked it up.”

Mr. Armstrong said the most memorable moments were seeing students who had struggled in rehearsals come to life onstage. “There were a few who weren’t sure they would get there with their lines,” he said. “But they did. They absolutely nailed it.”

Mrs. Kaylee agreed. “Watching them really step into their characters, have fun with it, and make it their own, that’s what makes all the hard work worth it.”

This is more than simply putting on a play. “It’s really about confidence,” said Mr. Armstrong. “A lot of the kids were nervous. But they showed up. They tried. And they did something hard. That’s the lesson we hope sticks with them.”

As for what’s next? The pair is already planning for future shows. “We build each production around the students we have,” said Mrs. Kaylee. “We look at who’s graduating, who’s ready to take on more, and we go from there.”

Layer by layer... just like an onion or as Shrek’s sidekick, Donkey says, “a parfait” because “everyone likes parfaits.”