Storytellers: Wonderful roles for performers with natural stage presence and big, clear voices. These characters are important for setting up the world and moving the story forward, so cast some bold, energetic young actors. Gender: any
Shrek: He may be a big, scary, green ogre to the rest of the world, but as the story reveals, he’s really just a big fellow with a big heart. It is great if Shrek is a solid singer, but most importantly, snag a young man who is an excellent actor with comedic chops. Gender: male
Fiona: She may appear to be an ideal princess straight from the fairy tale books, but there is more to her than that stereotypical image. She is an audacious young lady with a wonderful sense of humor and – surprisingly – manners akin to those of a teenage boy. Cast a girl who can do it all: act, sing and dance. This is a premiere role for an experienced performer with a loveable spirit. Gender: female
Young Fiona: Young Fiona and Teen Fiona are younger versions of Fiona and should have solid singing voices. Gender: female
Teen Fiona: Young Fiona and Teen Fiona are younger versions of Fiona and should have solid singing voices. Gender: female
Lord Farquaad: A very short man with gargantuan ambition! He is solely interested in gaining as much power as possible. This is a role for a good singer, but most importantly, your very best comedian who isn’t afraid of making bold choices or looking silly. Gender: male
Donkey: A brash, loud, fast-talking animal with no concept of “”quiet time.”” Cast an experienced performer who can sing well and has a whole lot of presence and character. Be sure to choose a performer who complements Shrek well as his loyal and ever-faithful sidekick. Gender: male
Dragon: A breakout role for a young girl with a lot of soul and spunk. She is a ferocious fire-breathing dragon but finds a surprising love in Donkey. Cast a performer who has tremendous presence and a good pop singing voice. Gender: female
Mama Ogre: Good roles for a dynamic duo that can kick off the show with a lot of energy and presence. Make sure to cast good singers. Gender: female; Vocal range top: C5; Vocal range bottom: A3
Papa Ogre: Good roles for a dynamic duo that can kick off the show with a lot of energy and presence. Make sure to cast good singers. Gender: male; Vocal range top: E4; Vocal range bottom: C3
Little Ogre: A role just right for a smaller, younger performer who is new to the stage. He may not have lines but he is very important to the storytelling. Gender: any
Pinocchio: The wooden boy who cannot tell a lie without being belied by his growing nose. Pinocchio begins in a sour mood about his second-class status but ends the story as a natural leader among the Fairy Tale Creatures. Cast a young performer with a lot of personality who can sing well. Gender: male
The Three Little Pigs: Pig 1, Pig 2 And Pig 3. The classic three little pigs with a German twist. It isn’t necessary that they look identical; focus on finding a fun and dynamic trio. Gender: any
Ugly Duckling: He may be bitter about his unfortunate appearance, but he does find camaraderie among his fellow fairy tale outcasts. This is a fun comedic role for a new performer. Gender: male
The Three Bears: Mama Bear, Papa Bear, and Baby Bear. Great cameo roles for young performers who have little performing experience but make a complementary group. Gender: any; Vocal range top: C4; Vocal range bottom: D3
Wicked Witch: A great role for a young performer destined to be a character actress. She has a big personality, so find a performer who is up to the task. Gender: female
Big Bad Wolf: He doesn’t need to be a scary, threatening big-bad-wolf type. At this point, he’s a pretty tame wolf who is reduced to wearing Little Red Ridinghood’s grandmother’s dressing gown. This is a fun role for a newcomer to the stage. Gender: any
Gingy: A great cameo role for a young performer who is as earnest as can be. Gingy is based on the Gingerbread Man who runs away like a fugitive from his baking captors. Find a performer with great energy. Gender: any
Peter Pan: The boy who never grew up, and he continues to act the part in this story. Cast a boy (or girl, if you want to give a nod to the traditional theater casting) who will have fun physicalizing the character. Gender: any
Captain Of The Guard: This role is just right for an actor with some inherent strength and authority. He or she doesn’t have to have a lot of stage experience; just be sure to cast somebody who has a big, booming voice and who isn’t scared to put all the Fairy Tale Creatures in their place. Gender: any
Knights: The Dragon’s background singers who all tried at some point to save Fiona from her tower but were held hostage by the Dragon. Cast young performers who can sing well and have some soul just like the Dragon. Gender: any
Dwarf: Farquaad’s comparably short and grumpy father. This is a perfect cameo role for a young performer. Gender: male
Ensemble: The Fairy Tale Creatures make up the heart of the show. These characters are taken from the story books but have a bit of a comedic twist. Be sure to cast a diverse group of kids with lots of personality and different strengths. Your performers should be proficient singers but most importantly, great actors. Other standout ensemble roles include : The Guards, Duloc Performers, Puss in Boots, Rooster, Pied Piper, Rats and the Bishop. Ensemble roles like Birds, Trees, Deer, Woodland Creatures and Fairy Tale Creatures help make up the backbone of the musical. Remind your actors that the story demands everyone jump on board as you create the hilarious and lovely world of Shrek The Musical JR. Gender: any
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Prince Eric: Prince Eric is the adventurous prince who captures Ariel’s heart. Look for a charming performer with a sensitive nature. Prince Eric has a few small solos, but it is more important to cast a strong actor in this role.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Sebastian: Sebastian is the meticulous and anxious crab who tries to keep Ariel safe while getting to lead some of the most memorable songs in the show! Look for a strong singer who can also handle Sebastian’s emotional range. Sebastian can be played by a boy or girl.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Flounder: Flounder is Ariel’s sincere and sensitive best friend who is loyal to the end. This spunky fish also has a show-stopping solo in “She’s in Love.” Flounder can be cast with a girl or a boy with an unchanged voice. This may be a wonderful role for a younger performer who is ready to take the next step into the spotlight.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: Db5
Vocal range bottom: G3
King Triton: King Triton rules the sea and is a force to be reckoned with. This non-singer needs to command the stage as a strong leader but also show the tenderness of a parent. Cast a mature performer who feels comfortable playing father to Ariel and the Mersisters.
Mersisters: The Mersisters (Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Atina, Adella, Allana) are Ariel’s siblings and full of personality and sass. These are great roles to showcase talented singers and dancers who can create and play six distinctive characters.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Ursula: Ursula is the manipulative sea witch who tries to overthrow King Triton. She is cunning and devious and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Cast a mature performer who can bring out this villain’s humor while finding texture in Ursula’s complexity. Ursula’s songs can be challenging, so look for a singer who will feel comfortable with these solos.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Tentacles: The Tentacles are extensions of Ursula, perhaps the poor unfortunate souls who are now trapped in her lair. Look for six or eight performers who work well together and can move as a unit.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Flotsam: Flotsam and Jetsam are Ursula’s slippery spies. These electric eels are sinister and sneaky, so look for performers who can be underhanded and devious while still being heard on stage. Flotsam and Jetsam can be played by boys or girls.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Jetsam: Flotsam and Jetsam are Ursula’s slippery spies. These electric eels are sinister and sneaky, so look for performers who can be underhanded and devious while still being heard on stage. Flotsam and Jetsam can be played by boys or girls.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Scuttle: Scuttle is the know-it-all seagull who serves as Ariel’s expert on humans. He is funny and off-beat. While a good singer will rock “Human Stuff,” this song can easily be spoken in rhythm. Look for a performer with good comedic timing who is willing to have fun with Scuttle’s eccentricities.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Gulls: The Gulls are Scuttle’s flock of zany “back-up singers” who help explain human stuff to Ariel. While there are three principal gulls written in the score, feel free to add as many as you need to best serve your production. The Gulls’ solos can be spoken if necessary.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Grimsby: Grimsby is Prince Eric’s prim and proper valet. He is rigid in personality and constantly trying to guide Prince Eric towards the throne. While Grimsby does have some singing to do, strong acting trumps singing ability for this role.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: E4
Chef Louis: Chef Louis is the over-the-top head chef in the palace. He is always wild and frenetic. This is an excellent featured role for a comedic performer.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Chefs: The Chefs are Chef Louis’s assistants. The music in “Les Poissons” can be challenging, so good choral singers are a plus for this group. Your Chefs can also double as members of the Sea Chorus.
Carlotta: Carlotta is the headmistress in Prince Eric’s palace and Ariel’s greatest human ally. This non-singing role needs to be warm and maternal to make Ariel feel welcome.
Princesses: The six Princesses try everything they can to win the heart of Prince Eric. Since none of them possesses the voice Prince Eric is searching for, cast actresses who can create an exaggerated and comedic personality through song. The six Princesses can double as the six Mersisters.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: E4
Pilot: The Pilot is the head sailor on Prince Eric’s ship. This nautical expert who entertains the sailors with wild tales of the sea presents an opportunity to highlight a developing performer. The Pilot has a few speaking lines, but his singing voice is most important.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Sailors: The Sailors are the crew of Prince Eric’s ship. They are eager for adventure and ready to tackle a storm. The Sailors can be played by boys or girls and can double as Sea Chorus.
Seahorse: The Seahorse is the court herald for King Triton. This non-singing part is a good role for a young performer with a clear speaking voice.
Sea Chorus: The Sea Chorus is responsible for creating each world within the show. Look for performers who can move gracefully and are capable of being part of a scene without drawing focus. This can also be an opportunity to showcase some of your more skilled dancers. The Sea Chorus can double as Merfolk, Sea Creatures and Lagoon Animals.
Sea Creatures: The Sea Creatures are the ensemble under water animals in King Triton’s court. They can include as few or as many performers as your production permits. There are several moments to showcase both dancers and singers in “Under the Sea.”
Merfolk: The Merfolk of King Triton’s Court and can double as Sea Creatures.
Lagoon Animals: The Lagoon Animals try to convince Prince Eric to kiss Ariel. This ensemble can double as the Sea Creatures.