Shrek
fundraiser for the fifth grade
Dozens of fifth graders arrive at Meadow Pond Elementary a full hour before school begins. They stream into the cafeteria and drop their backpacks at the long tables set up for lunch. Some sit and chat quietly, others start singing and dancing, Sophia heads to the tables closest to the stage and starts checking swords, rucksacks and the like against the list on her clipboard.
She’s in charge of props for “Shrek the Musical,” Meadow Pond’s fifth grade musical, and one of the student crew that makes it all happen. The fifth grade fundraiser features two evening performances for Meadow Pond families on Friday, March 25. “I heard they needed someone for props,” said Sophia. “It sounded fun.
everyone is having a blast!
perfect ending to PARP
It’s fitting that the show will be performed during PARP—the month-long celebration of reading. The musical is based on the movie "Shrek," which is based on “Shrek,” the book by William Steig - a beautiful story about friendship, love and caring.
As Sophia and the two co-directors of Meadow Pond’s production—Kate Belders, a district parent, and Barbara Milone, the school’s social worker—can attest, there are a lot of moving parts in the production.
a message of acceptance
many people pitched in to make shrek a success
Not only does “Shrek” involve two casts—62 students in all—the prop list is long and very specific. Party horns, an oversized ogre sandwich, a satchel with doll and boots sticking out, a bundle of kindling, picnic baskets, torches, swords, an egg beater and more. That’s just for Act 1!
“We started working on the production in February,” said Josephine Berisha, a parent volunteer. Students and parents held Saturday workshops to build the set. Members of John Jay High School’s chapter of the National Honor Society helped build props.
While the directors run through the show, Sophia hands the actors what they need and makes sure it comes back. Rehearsal ends just in time for school!
