Theatre Arts at SUNY New Paltz presents “Shrek the Musical,” opening April 17
The Department of Theatre Arts at SUNY New Paltz will present “Shrek the Musical” — a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure that brings the beloved characters from the Oscar-winning animated film to life on stage — April 17-19 & 24-27 at Parker Theatre. This final installment of Theatre Arts’ 2024-25 Mainstage Production series is directed by actor, director and New Paltz Theatre Arts alumnus Zach Gibson ’19.
A celebratory gala will be held following the play’s opening night on April 17.
Tickets for “Shrek the Musical” are available now at this link. This is a family-friendly production appropriate for children ages 4-12.
“Shrek the Musical” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
About “Shrek The Musical”
“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek….”
And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue.
Irreverently fun for the whole family, “Shrek” proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre. Embracing that our differences are what makes us unique, the musical focuses on releasing and accepting one’s authentic self, because we are all finding our way around the swamp for the first time.
After a trial run in Seattle, the original Broadway production of “Shrek the Musical” opened in December 2008 and closed in January 2010. It was followed by a tour of the United States in 2010, and then a revamped production in London’s West End theatre district from 2011 to 2013.
About the Director
Zach Gibson ’19 is a Muslim multi-hyphenate theatre artist living in the Hudson Valley. He is a graduate of SUNY New Paltz’s Department of Theatre Arts, where he studied acting and directing. Gibson is also a recent alumnus of Shakespeare & Company’s renowned month-long acting intensive, which reinspired his love for Shakespeare.
Gibson has worked locally in the Hudson Valley at venues including Shadowland Stages in Ellenville; Ellenville Central School District; Denizen Theatre in New Paltz; and Performing Arts of Woodstock.
About the Music Director
Nathan W. Perry is a pianist and conductor for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows (Radio City Christmas Spectacular, “School of Rock,” “NEWSical,” “The Fantasticks”), national tours “We Will Rock You,” “’S Wonderful,” “The Pajama Game,” “Ring of Fire”), regional theaters (Gateway, Harbor Lights, Gretna Theatre, Allenberry), and the occasional cruise ship. He performed in the 2018 Off-Broadway world premiere of “Renascence” by Carmel Dean and Edna St. Vincent Millay, which recently released a cast album.
Originally from Rochester, New York, he graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts with a degree in film scoring and now resides with his wife and son in Beacon, New York.
About the Music Supervisor
Brittany Proia has spent her career exploring the art and craft of live theatre performance from all sides of the table. Currently, she teaches acting and voice courses as a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts at SUNY New Paltz and serves as the Dramatists Guild ambassador for the Hudson Valley and Capital Region. She also serves as the managing director of Shadowland Stages in Ellenville, New York.
Proia is passionate about the development of new work and finding sustainability in regional theatre. From 2017–2020, Proia served as the founding co-artistic director and managing director of Denizen Theatre in New Paltz, a company founded with the mission to bring dynamic and innovative new works to the Hudson Valley.
About the Choreographer
From public programming to directing live entertainment, Hailey Cooknick’s experience includes, but is not limited to, serving as resident choreographer of Step One Dance Company at RWS Entertainment Group in New York City; associate choreographer of “Cats” at NCCA Jean’s Playhouse in Lincoln, New Hampshire; and associate choreographer for “Billion Dollar Baby” at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas.
Cooknick holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance performance from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.