Auditions- Callbacks

Callbacks- September 30, 2025 5:30pm-8pm
Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center
ROOM 205

Call Back Checklist

Before your callback

At callbacks

Shrek the Musical — Audition Character Breakdown

Callbacks — Vocal Cuts & Readings

Important: Vocal callback cuttings and readings are summarized below.

Vocal Callback Cuts — Summary

Character(s)SongCutDuration
Shrek, Donkey, Adult Fiona#10 Who I’d BeINTRO: mm. 29-31
Sing: Shrek mm. 32-end · Fiona mm. 64-end · Donkey mm. 67-end		2:27
Shrek & Fiona (Adult)#13 I Think I Got You BeatINTRO: mm. 84-87 · Sing: mm. 88-end1:38
Fionas (All 3)#6 I Know It’s TodayPart 1 – Trio: INTRO mm. 133-135 · Sing: mm. 136-end (in parts)
Part 2 – Complete Song: full number with solos then ending trio		1:10 · 5:19
Donkey#15 Make A MoveSpoken: mm. 37A-470:24
Farquaad#14 Ballad of FarquaadComplete Song3:32
Dragon#8 ForeverINTRO: mm. 1-5 · Sing: mm. 5-81, 111-end3:45
Fionas — Preparation Notes: Part 1 (Trio Section) (m. 136-end): Young/Teen/Adult Fionas: Use the piano playback to learn your individual parts and be fully prepared to sing your part with the other Fionas. There is no time to “learn” this during the callback, so you must practice independently and demonstrate your ability to sing harmonies together as a trio.
Part 2 (Complete Song): Following the “Trio” section (m. 136-end) you all Fionas will sing the complete song giving each young/teen/adult Fiona the opportunity to sing their solos followed by the ending trio.

Callback Resources — What’s Provided

Song / CharacterLead SheetCallback CutDemoPiano PlaybackSplitVocal OnlyACC
#10 – ShrekPDFWAVWAVWAVWAVWAV
#10 – DonkeyPDFWAVWAVWAVWAVWAV
#10 – Fiona (Adult)PDFWAVWAVWAVWAVWAV
#13 – ShrekPDFWAVWAVWAVWAVWAV
#13 – Fiona (Adult)PDFWAVWAVWAVWAVWAV
#6 – Fiona (Young)WAV
#6 – Fiona (Teen)WAV
#6 – Fiona (Adult)WAV
#6 – Fionas (Trio)PDFWAVWAVWAV
#6 – Fionas (Complete)PDFWAVWAVWAVWAVWAV
#15 – DonkeyPDFWAVWAVWAVWAVWAV
#14 – FarquaadPDFWAVWAVWAVWAVWAV
#8 – DragonPDFWAVWAVWAVWAVWAV

Audition Resources – What Each File Is

  • Lead Sheet (PDF): Vocal line PDF of the part—great for printing and independent rehearsal.
  • Callback Cut: The exact cut used in vocal callback; sing in character with pitch accuracy. Tracks include the first words to help your entrance.
  • ACC Track: Instrumental accompaniment to practice timing and entrances with confidence.
  • Demo: Reference performance for style and timing by professional vocalists.
  • Split Track: Left/right channels let you adjust balance for independent prep if your setup supports it.
  • Vocal Only: Focus strictly on vocal lines and characterizations without instruments.

Callback Readings

Reading – Shrek & Donkey

Print

DONKEY And this is what I realized – if we escaped a dragon, then we could do anything. Man, I could be a steed. Or I could work the Crusades circuit if I wanted to. I could even be one of those horses who pull those wagons full of beer! I’d need some hair extensions on my ankles, but I could do it. Who do you wanna be?

SHREK I don’t wanna be anyone.

DONKEY Just for fun, though, who would you pick?

SHREK I wouldn’t.

DONKEY But if you had to.

SHREK Donkey –

DONKEY Like if a guy had a sword at your thought and was like, “look here, you can’t be an ogre anymore, pick something else,” then who would you pick?

SHREK I would pick that guy up and hurl him into a tree!

DONKEY Man, you are no fun at all, you know it? Is this what it’s gonna be like when we finish rescuing the princess? Us sitting around our swamp all day doing nothing?

SHREK Our swamp? Donkey, there is no our. There’s no we. There’s just me and my swamp. And when I do get back, the first thing I’m gonna do is build a ten foot wall around my land.

DONKEY (beat) You cut me deep, Shrek. You cut me real deep just now… (gathers himself) What’s your problem anyway? What do you got against the whole world?

SHREK I’m not the one with the problem, okay? It’s the world who seems to have a problem with me. You saw how that princess reacted. That’s how it always is. People take one look at me and it’s all, “Aghhh! Help! A big stupid ugly ogre!” They judge me before they even know me. That’s why I’m better off alone.

DONKEY (after a moment) But you know what, Shrek? When we met, I didn’t think you was just a big, stupid ugly ogre.

SHREK (looks down at him, and softens) Yeah I know. (A moment between them. DONKEY decides to push the issue…)

DONKEY So there’s really no one else you’d rather be?


Reading – Farquaad & Gingy

Print

FARQUAAD “Run, run, run as fast as you can, you can’t catch me – I’m the Gingerbread Man!”

GINGY Look what you’ve done to my legs! You’re a monster!

FARQUAAD I’m not the monster here, you are! You and the rest of that fairy tale trash poisoning my perfect kingdom.

GINGY It’s not a kingdom! Because you’re not a king!

FARQUAAD Oh, but I will be. Just as soon as I find a princess to marry. And I hear you know of one. Tell me where she is!

GINGY Eat me! (spits on FARQUAAD’S face)

FARQUAAD No! I’ve tried to be fair to you creatures, but now my patience has reached its end!

GINGY (stalling) Uh-uh, uhh, okay, well, maybe I have heard tell of a princess.

FARQUAAD From who?

GINGY Do you know the Muffin Man?

FARQUAAD The Muffin Man?

GINGY The Muffin Man.

FARQUAAD Yes. I know the Muffin Man. Who lives on Drury Lane?

GINGY Well, I heard it from the Muffin Man.

FARQUAAD The Muffin Man?!

GINGY The Muffin Man!

FARQUAAD (thoughtful, to himself) He heard it from the Muffin Man…

GINGY Can I go now?

FARQUAAD You haven’t told me where she is!

GINGY I can’t!

FARQUAAD You must!

GINGY I won’t!

FARQUAAD Tell me or I’ll – ! (reaches for GINGY’S buttons)

GINGY No! Not the buttons! Not my gumdrop buttons!

FARQUAAD Then where is the princess?!

GINGY (broken) Okay… I’ll tell you. She’s a day’s walk from here. In a dragon-guarded castle, surrounded by hot boiling lava.

FARQUAAD Well that sounds dangerous.

GINGY Ya want a princess or not?!

FARQUAAD Go on.

GINGY In the highest room in the tallest tower, you’ll find a fiery red-head named Princess Fiona.

FARQUAAD Ooo, Princess Fiona. She sounds perfect. Except for that dragon and lava thing. I’ll have to find someone else to go…

GINGY (to himself) Big surprise.

FARQUAAD (in his own revelry) I shall make Fiona my Queen, and Duloc will finally have the perfect King! (to his underlings) Captain, round up your men, summon the citizens, and bring that cookie to the swamp!

GINGY Swamp?! That’s the thanks I get?!

FARQUAAD Thelonius, tell the Royal Coiffure I need to get my hair pressed. We’re going to get a queen!


Reading – Shrek, Fiona & Donkey

Print

FIONA (sees SHREK and DONKEY) Oh, why good morning, men.

DONKEY (a little concerned for her) Mornin’.

SHREK Uhh, Princess, did you by any chance eat a few of those funny little mushrooms by the stream?

FIONA Of course not. I’m just happy that it’s a new day, full of promise and fresh starts!

(SHREK and DONKEY exchange looks.)

FIONA And the first thing I’d like to do is apologize for my behavior yesterday. We obviously got off on the wrong foot, and I’d like to make it up to you.

SHREK You would?

FIONA Yes, you did rescue me after all. So I’ve gathered a basket of berries for the trip, and I made you each a daisy chain! (presents them with their daisy chains)

DONKEY Oh look at these! They’re beautiful, princess! Aren’t they beautiful, Shrek?

SHREK (not sure what to do with it) Uhhh…ihhhhh….

FIONA You’ll grow to love ‘em, I promise. Lead the way! (SHE skips off. SHREK dumps his daisy chain in the pit.)

SHREK So, Princess, do you often frolic with rats?

FIONA And what if I do?

SHREK Oh, I don’t know, Princess – germ-infested vermin – not exactly what I expected.

FIONA Well maybe you shouldn’t judge people before you get to know them. (smiles knowingly, and walks off)

DONKEY (impressed) Hmm!

FIONA So tell me about my groom-to-be. Lord Farquaad. What’s he like?

SHREK (with a smile to Donkey) Well, let me put it this way, Princess – men of Farquaad’s stature are in short supply.

FIONA (impressed) Really?

DONKEY (chuckles, joins in) Oh yeah, but he is a little intimidating.

FIONA (loves it) Well he must be!

SHREK And yet very good at small talk.

FIONA What are you guys doing?

SHREK What? Just saying ya might wanna lower your expectations a bit.

DONKEY Yeah, like three feet or so. (THEY laugh.)

FIONA Alright, yuck it up. Doesn’t bother me. Not today. After a lifetime of misery, things are finally going my way.

SHREK (chuckles) Oh, a lifetime of misery, right. Okay. (THEY continue to stroll along. FIONA can’t let the exchange go.)

FIONA You chuckled.

SHREK Hm?

FIONA When I said, lifetime of misery. You chuckled.

SHREK Did I?

FIONA Yes.

SHREK Look, I’m sure it was very difficult living in a dragon-guarded tower.

FIONA It was.

SHREK I’m sure.

FIONA Alright then. (SHE turns to go.)

SHREK Although, it must’ve been nice to have a roof and a cozy bed. Which is more than I had when I left home.

FIONA You’re not actually comparing yourself to what I endured?

SHREK I’m just saying you don’t corner the market on unhappy childhoods.

FIONA (more defensive than she intends) There are things you don’t know, ya know. About me. About how rough I had it!

SHREK What, ya run out of shampoo a couple times?

FIONA I mean about my life!

SHREK In that cushy tower of yours?

FIONA Cushy! Are you kidding?


Reading – Shrek, Fiona & Farquaad

Print

SHREK Stop the wedding!

FIONA Shrek…?

FARQUAAD What does he want? Really, it’s rude enough being alive when no one wants you, but showing up uninvited to a wedding…

SHREK Fiona – I need to talk to you.

FIONA Oh, now you want to talk? Well it’s a little late for that. So if you’ll excuse me –

SHREK But you can’t marry him!

FIONA (angry; accusing) And why not?

SHREK Because – because he’s just marrying you so he can be King.

FARQUAAD That is Outrageous!! Fiona, don’t listen to him!

SHREK He’s not your true love.

FIONA What do you know about true love?

SHREK Well, I, duh…

FARQUAAD (realizing) Oh. Oh. Awww. (laughing) Oh, this is precious! The ogre has fallen in love with the Princess. Oh, good Lord. Hahahahahahahahaha….

(FIONA stares, shocked.)

FARQUAAD Guards, take this abomination out of my sight!

FIONA No! Uhh… I mean… let’s hear what the… monster has to say. It might be worth a laugh.

FARQUAAD Ohh, you are awful. (to SHREK) You heard her, ogre. Express yourself… with as few grunts as possible. Actually, no! I changed my mind! (tantrum) Because I’m a king! I’m a big man! I’m a big tall giant man with a kingdom! Not-a-freak! Not a freak! I have a castle!

If you have additional questions not answered below, email: info@MagicalStarlight.org.

Frequently Ask Questions

Do I need to come on both days of auditions?
No. You only need to come on either Saturday or Sunday, not both days.
Do I need to schedule an audition time?
Magical Starlight Theatre will be doing schedule auditions for 2025.  Walk-ups are still allowed and will be placed in the next available time slot.
Where do I go to audition?
Auditions are held on the upper level of the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center located at 305 Jackson Ave, Naperville, IL 60540. Upon arriving, proceed to registration located in the “Community Hall” room (also on the upper level) – signs will be posted to help guide you.
How old do I have to be to audition?
Magical Starlight Theatre casts youth and adults of all ages; however, youth auditionees are required to be enrolled in 4th grade or above at the time of the audition.
How long will this audition take?
Auditions will take about 80 minutes – we strive to allow each and every auditionee an equal opportunity to audition their best. For walk-ups, there could be a wait of about 30 minutes or more (depending on when the next slot is available) before being called from the waiting room into the audition room.
What will I have to do for the audition?
Auditionees will be taken in small groups.  After music and dialog (~40 min), the group will immediately move to the choreography audition room (~40min). Breakdown:
    • The Music Director will ask auditionees to sing a scale to determine their range.
    • Each auditionee will sing part of a song from the show (see the audition materials).
      • A music recording is provided.
      • Other recordings and personal accompanists are not permitted.
      • Auditionees may be stopped before finishing if the staff has heard what they need.
    • Auditionees will participate in a monologue from the script.
      • Monologue cuttings will be available beforehand on the website (see the audition materials).
      • You may peruse the monologues in the registration room as needed.
      • Auditionees may be asked to read additional cuttings of the director’s choice.
    • Auditionees will then learn and perform a brief piece of choreography as a group.
    • The choreographer may ask you to stay, if they would like to see more.
Do I need my own music?
No, a recording or accompaniment will be provided for you. NO recorded music or outside accompanist is permitted.
Do you have to speak with an accent?
If the role you are auditioning for has an accent, it’s suggested, but not necessary.
Will there be tap shoes required for auditions?
No but if called back for tap please bring tap shoes to demonstrate mastery level.
Can a parent(s) watch their child’s audition?
No
Is there a cost if I am cast in the show?
There is no registration or production fee. You will have to register with a NPD course, and there is no fee.  You will be expected to provide the designated footwear, undergarments, and personal make-up that your character requires.  Cast members may be responsible for providing a basic costume or costume components for the production.  Options will be discussed if needed.
Will I have to provide my own costume?
Depending on your character, there may be basic components to your costume that you would need to provide. For example: black pants and character shoes.
Will there be callbacks?
Yes
If there are callbacks, when would I be notified?
We strive for no later than 11 pm on Sunday.  Some calls might happen Monday if we are unable to reach you on Sunday.
If I am not called back, does that mean I am not in the show?
No. Many roles are cast based on the first audition. Not all roles are called back.
When will I know if I am cast in the show.
If you are cast, you will be called by the end of the day Thursday; no later than 10 pm.
How can I find out the cast list?
The cast list will be posted on www.magicalstarlight.org website by noon on Friday after callbacks.
In general, when are rehearsals?
Sundays: 1 – 6 pm, Tuesdays 6:30 – 9 pm, Thursdays 6:30 – 9 pm Tech week is Sunday through opening.  Those times are will be provided on the first rehearsal date; these nights do go slightly later.
Will I have to attend all rehearsals?
Your attendance is required at all rehearsals that your character is called for and that you have NOT communicated an existing conflict.  Typically Sundays are used for large group numbers, where Tuesday and Thursday are smaller groups with specific characters.  When filling out conflicts, please relay all Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday conflicts during rehearsal time and all tech week and performance conflicts.