Shrek the Musical

Posted: 3/10/2019

In May 2014, the students of VISTA Productions (the joint theater program of Visitation School and Saint Thomas Academy) put on Shrek The Musical! This vibrant, exciting show includes powerful bullying prevention messages such as embracing differences and being proud of who you are. The VISTA students collaborated with PACER to create a project that linked the show with bullying prevention themes. The students made an effort to really understand the issue and were deeply motivated to make a difference in their school. They created a beautiful display that celebrated the unique characteristics of the cast and crew; it declared “What makes us special makes us strong!” Bullying is an issue that affects students on a deeply personal level, but it has important implications for parents, teachers, schools, and communities as well.

One student writes, “Working with PACER added a depth to Shrek. It isn't just a show that made me laugh, it's a show that made me consider what it means to be comfortable with the 'fairy tale creature' I am, and not the manufactured citizen of Duloc that society asks me to be.”

Bullying prevention is a community effort, and the students of VISTA Productions have shown their compassion, talent, and creativity through this project.