BWW Blog: Eliza Porsella - That's a Wrap!

The two performances of Shrek are over, I graduated from elementary school and now I'm off for the summer. I have so many great memories of 5th grade but I think being a part of the play was the high point of my school year. Some of the rehearsals seemed long but the school year really seemed to fly by once I was cast in Shrek. It's weird to think that it's over, that I'll be in middle school in September. I hope I get to do a play there as well.

My music teacher gave me a recorder before the show. I was so happy to finally have my pipe as the pied piper. My sister's Kindergarten teacher was our makeup artist and two other teachers helped us with our hair. They got my hair into a perfect ponytail that lasted the whole show. The makeup artist put pink circles on our cheeks.

It was hot in our auditorium and many of the costumes had multiple layers. I was lucky to not be the donkey covered in fur or Shrek with several layers of padding. The audience fanned themselves with programs both nights.

The first performance was different from the second. Everyone was so nervous. I was afraid I would mess up and draw bad attention to myself. I was afraid people wouldn't like me. But for the first performance, you know if you mess up, there's always another show. There were problems with the sound system the first night and a lot of people weren't loud enough because of stage fright. But the tap and Duloc numbers went very well and got loud applause. We had rehearsed them so much, we were ready.

The second performance was the last night so it was kind of sad and we knew we couldn't mess up. I get terrible stage fright. When you see crowds watching you, some people are naturally scared. The people with stage fright (me) are often perfectionists. They are so scared people won't like them if they make a mistake. Your stomach flips and you get the feeling you will throw up. It never happens, but it feels like it.

I made lots of friends that I would have never known. It was great to perform with them. It felt like I had backup when I needed it.

The show didn't end each night until after ten and it was hot. At the end of the show when we all come out and dance and sing "I'm a Believer" I felt like I was sweating to death. Afterwards, we had to organize our costumes and character shoes for return to the rental house and we were all so sweaty. It was stressful because everyone was afraid they were missing something.

After the last show, I went with my family and a friend to a local frozen yogurt place. We ran into other cast members. We were all so happy to see each other, we were hugging each other and giving each other compliments. It's so great to run into people you know and it was fun being out until 11pm. I didn't get to bed until midnight. I will remember that night always.

Fairytale creatures

Me as the Pied Piper

Me as the Pied Piper

Shrek and Donkey at night

Dragon and Donkey in the dragon's keep

The thre Fiona's singing " I Know it's Today"

Duloc dance

Duloc dance

Duloc dance

Duloc dance

Duloc dance

Shrek and donkey

Farquad forcing the cookie to give him answers or there will be consequences

Fairytale characters

Happy person song