By Liberty Preston
West Albany High School Intern
The fairytale world of Disney’s Shrek The Musical JR. has reached Albany Civic Theater’s stage this month with the ACT Youth Summer Camp directed by Rebecca Douglas.
Talented young actors from the Albany area, ages 8-18, auditioned in June for roles in the show and a spot in the three -week long summer camp. Days at camp consist of rehearsing songs, practicing choreography, lunchtime trips to the nearby Monteith Park and learning about the art of theater from experienced volunteer staff.
In 2024, ACT’s Youth Program was awarded an Albany Arts Appreciation award for their impact on the community. Thanks to the recent Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant that ACT received in partnership with the Downtown Association, repairs and improvements to the newly acquired attached building have begun. This space will serve as an additional rehearsal area as well as providing more room for the youth program to grow.
Disney’s Shrek JR. is based on the Broadway adaptation of the beloved 2001 animated children’s movie. One day, an ogre named Shrek finds his swamp filled with fairytale misfits who have been evicted from their homes by the large-ambitioned (but short statured) ruler Lord Farquaad. Shrek must set off on a journey with a talkative donkey to rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona from her tower and finally reclaim his swamp. Shrek runs into dragons and gingerbread men on his journey, but he also finds friendship, acceptance and maybe even true love.
Performances will be on August 15th, 16th (m), 16th, 22nd (m), 22nd, and 23rd and run for about an hour. Matinees are at 2:30 pm and evening performances are at 7:30 pm. To purchase in-person or livestream tickets, go to albanycivic.org.
Photos by Krisi Leffler
