See the young Musical Makers Club thespians perform in this cult-hit show at Chatswood’s Zenith Theatre
By Alex Driscoll
For performer and director Paulina Pinete Quintero, the beauty of working with younger children is that they lack the self-consciousness many older performers display.
“I think because we are grown-ups and we develop judgment, we are very tough on ourselves,” the 29-year-old director told North Shore Living.
In fact, the confidence her young thespians display is one reason the shows put on by her company, Musical Makers Club attract so much attention. “The innocence of their attitude (is amazing). They’re like ‘I’m just here to rock and roll and I’m the best performer in the world,’ and I think we all should get a little bit more of that,” she says.
And that confidence will be on full display at the next Musical Makers Club production, Shrek the Musical Jr. Soon to be playing at the Zenith Theatre in Chatswood, this abridged version of the cult-hit musical is based on the iconic animated movie.
Each of Paulina’s classes will have the opportunity to flex the skills they have learnt over the months of preparation, with the cast of five to 13 year olds keen to show they can tread the boards as well as any adult performer.
Students prepare for the show
What makes this even more impressive is the kind of children who are in the Musical Makers Club. Under Paulina’s direction, the company operates with an inclusive policy, where anyone can participate in the show. “They don’t have to have previous experience with musical theatre,” Paulina says. “We try to adjust choreography and blocking to the kids because for most of them, it’s the first (show they have done).”
This process starts a month before the auditions have even happened. The songs, scenes and dance numbers are workshopped thoroughly, allowing the children to familiarise themselves with various roles and decide what they want to audition for. “For some, they just want to be in the ensemble, and that’s okay,” Paulina says.
Given many children are performing for the first time, Paulina is continually amazed throughout the rehearsals leading up to the production of Shrek the Musical Jr by the children’s talent, which shines through. Whether it’s the skill of long-time student and lead Taylor (who will be donning the green suit as Shrek), or a six-year-old boy who can absorb every scene and song with mind- boggling efficiency.
“He can’t read yet,” Paulina marvels. “But it only takes him two seconds to remember a whole scene.”
For Paulina, there is immense value in enrolling your child in a program such as the Musical Makers Club.
She emphasises that a production such as this can teach children teamwork, interpersonal skills and responsibility. “It makes you aware. Just being involved in something bigger, and in something (where) if you don’t do your work, everyone else gets affected (is a great teaching tool).”
See the four casts of Shrek the Musical Jr at the Zenith Theatre in Chatswood between 30 July and 4 August.
SHREK THE MUSICAL JR
Zenith Theatre, corner Mcintosh Street and Railway Street, Chatswood
Bellevue Hill cast: 30 July
Allawah cast: 1 August
Forestville cast: 3 August
Stanmore cast: 4 August
Tickets $50+ available at
trybooking.com/daspy