[NEohioPAL] New youth theater group in Medina to stage sold out production of “Shrek the Musical Jr.”

[Ansley Valentine via NEohioPAL]

*New youth theater group in Medina to stage sold out production of “Shrek
the Musical Jr.”*

Everyone’s favorite family-friendly fractured fairytale, “Shrek the Musical
Jr.,” comes to Medina, Ohio this weekend. The 60-minute youth oriented
version is a Broadway musical adaptation of the Oscar-winning DreamWorks
animated film. The production will be presented at the Medina County
University Center located at 6300 Technology Lane. Public performances are
July 17-19. *Unfortunately, the production is completely sold out.* Call
(330) 899-7150 for more information. (Please note that the University of
Akron does not endorse the goods and/or services described herein.)

The production is directed by Nate Sayatovich and Ansley Valentine.
Sayatovich works in the education department at Cleveland Play House, the
recent recipient of the 2015 Regional Theatre Tony Award. Valentine is
director of theatre at Northern Michigan University, and recently received
the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Gold Medallion for his
efforts to promote quality educational theatre across the country. Music
direction is by Michelle Hujar; Elizabeth Ivanovic provides the
choreography; and Donna Miller has built the costumes.

In 2011 Valentine helped start a summer youth program at the Medina
Performing Arts Center, and gained a following of families. Two years ago,
that program became part of the Fred Hargrove Young Artists program.
Valentine said, “Unfortunately, the Medina County Arts Foundation conducted
a review of its programs and upcoming events and elected not to fund the
summer portion of the program at a level consistent with previous years. To
maintain the quality of the summer youth program, it became necessary to
explore alternative options for a new home.” Support for a new venture came
from many parents and the Highland Foundation. With their help, Valentine
was able to quickly organize the production and provide an acting day camp
at Highland High School. Northern Michigan University is producing the show
this year, with plans underway to create a new organization.

According to Sayatovich, “With the help of the Highland Foundation, the
program was able to ‘land on its feet’. What sets us apart is our hands-on
approach, an acceptance of all students no matter their ability, and a
connection to a professional theater network that lets us stretch our
resources and achieve an artistic, quality production youth theatre
programs don't often have. Our level of participation has been great. The
community has been very generous, and the show is now sold out.”

“Shrek the Musical Jr.” features a cast of 50 elementary through high
school age actors from Cuyahoga, Medina and Summit Counties. Leading this
band of fairy tale creatures is Paul Cinko as Shrek; Alexcia Ambroz and
Cameron Olin as Princess Fiona; Julian Everstijn as Donkey; and Addie
Wisniewski as Lord Farquaad. The cast also includes Grace Allen,  Bella
Bailey, Nickolas Bailey, Hailey Baker, Ella Barberic, Brox Benesh, Logan
Bowers, Elise Brenner, Gabriel Byrne, Makenna Byrne, Lauren Cusick, Nataley
Davis, Olivya DeLuca, Tanner Demita, Emileo Fernandez, Chloe Galletti, Joe
Goodman, Riley Hayes, Taylor Headrick, Kelsey Heichel, Brenna Holliday,
Colin Horrigan, Wesley Howell, Jenna Hujar, Jocelyn Hujar, Ben Jackson,
Gabby Jackson, Xayne Kachelein, Sid Kranz, Arden Lewis, Rebecca Marzloff,
Abby McKee, Abigail Miller, Bailey Olin, Cameron Olin, Maggie O'Neill,
Lauren Paulus, Rachel Pokelsek, Madison Schaner, Mollie Schooley, Erin
Sharpe, Olivia Taylor, Morgan Trumpler, Abby Weyls, Charlotte Whitaker,
Harper Wisniewski, and Jamie Zickefoose.
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