SHREK
With special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)
Welcome to the New Tampa Performing Arts Center!
Please silence your cell phones.
This performance will have a 15 minute intermission.
Produced with the generous support of
Musical Numbers
ACT I
Overture - Orchestra
Big Bright Beautiful World - Shrek, Mama Ogre, Papa Ogre, Queen Lillian, King Harold, Happy Villagers
Story of My Life - Fairytale Creatures
Story of My Life-Tag - Fairytale Creatures
The Goodbye Song - Fairytale Creatures
Don’t Let Me Go - Donkey
Regiment #1 - Guards
Regiment (Reprise) - Guards
What’s Up, Duloc? - Lord Farquaad, Duloc Dancers
I Know It’s Today - Young Fiona, Teen Fiona, Fiona
Travel Song - Donkey, Shrek
Forever - Dragon, Donkey, Knights, Skeleton Dancers
This is How a Dream Comes True - Fiona, Dragon, Shrek, Donkey
Who I’d Be - Shrek, Fiona, Donkey
ACT II
Entr’acte - Orchestra
Morning Person - Fiona, Bluebird, Pied Piper
I Think I Got You Beat - Fiona, Shrek
Ballad of Farquaad - Lord Farquaad, Guards, Duloc Dancers
Make a Move - Donkey, Three Blind Mice, Shrek, Fiona
Make a Move- Tag - Donkey, Three Blind Mice
When Words Fail - Shrek
Morning Person (Reprise) - Fiona
The Arrival of Farquaad - Lord Farquaad
Build a Wall - Shrek
Freak Flag - Fairytale Creatures
Wedding Procession - Company
Big Bright Beautiful World (Reprise) - Shrek
Beautiful Ain’t Always Pretty - Shrek
This Is Our Story (Finale) - Company
I’m a Believer - Company
Bella Albano: Peter Pan/Teen Fiona
Bella is thrilled to make her debut with New Tampa Players! Bella is 14 years old and has been performing in plays since the age of 6. Some of her favorite roles include Paulette in Legally Blonde Jr., Caroline Barnum in The Greatest Showman - A Christmas Remix and Fanny Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. When she is not performing Bella enjoys singing, writing her own music, playing the guitar and spending time with her family and friends. Bella hopes to pursue being a Christian Singer/Songwriter and Constitutional Attorney when she grows up. Bella would like to thank God, the incredibly talented cast and crew and her family for this amazing opportunity.
Karissa Barber: Director
Karissa Barber is an award-winning professional actress, playwright and director in Central Florida. Barber directs at local colleges and community theatres, and is the theatre operations/production manager for Florida Southern College Department of Theatre and Dance. She graduates in May 2024 with her MFA in directing and performance pedagogy from the University of Idaho. Special thanks to her husband of 19 years and 4 kids for being the anchor to her kite. karissabarber.com
Neil Beliweiss: Papa Bear/Paper Ogre
Neil Bleiweiss is excited to journey into the swamp with his first NTP production after having seen several NTP shows over the years! Neil has most recently been seen on stage with mad Theatre in The Drowsy Chaperone (George) and The Prom (Principal Hawkins, regional premiere), and is no stranger to the Tampa theatre scene, other credits including Into The Woods (The Baker, Not Your Normal Entertainment), Hot Mikado (Ko-Ko, MAS Theatre), Ragtime (Houdini, Plant City Entertainment), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Jehan/Main Congregant, MAS Theatre), and more. Enjoy the show and always remember to let your freak flag fly!
Jordan Boyett: Baby Bear/Young Fiona
Jordan is 7 years old and in the 2nd grade. This is her debut with New Tampa Players and she is ecstatic to be playing the role of Young Fiona and Baby Bear. Her theater credits entail Matilda in Matilda, Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka, Tessie in Annie, Young Anna in Frozen, and Scat Cat in Aristocats. Her hobbies include singing, dancing, reading, swimming, and spending time with her baby sister.
Chris Cordero: Shrek
Chris Cordero (Shrek) has most recently been seen in Missing Piece Theatre’s Seussical (Cat in the Hat). He was also seen in mad Theatre’s production of Falsettos at Straz’s Shimberg Playhouse (Mendel). Some of his favorite past roles have been in the Florida premiere of Christmas Contigo at Stageworks Theatre (Brian), Assassins (Zangara), The Addams Family (Uncle Fester), How to Succeed…(Bud Frump) & tick, tick…Boom (Jon). Chris is a past member of NYC’s S.T.A.R. Theatre Company and U.S. Air Force’s Tops in Blue. A big thanks to everyone for your support!
Joshua Eberhart: Big Bad Wolf/Thelonious
Joshua is excited to be returning to the NTP stage in this wonderful production of Shrek the Musical. He would like to thank the cast and crew for such an amazing experience.
Kyle Fisher: Lord Farquaad
This is Kyle's fourth production on the NTP stage. You may recognize him from NTP's Grease as Kenickie or perhaps as the zombie heartthrob Jonny Warner in Zombie Prom last fall. Outside of theatre, Kyle works as an anti money laundering investigator. He has also written and composed his own musical recently, which will be performed in collaboration with New Tampa Players in early 2024. Kyle would like to thank his family and friends for their continuous support.
Brianna Filippelli: Princess Fiona
Bri Filippelli (Princess Fiona) is absolutely thrilled to be returning to her home at NTP, playing her dream role! She is a Theatre Teacher with Pasco County Schools and holds a BA in Theatre Performance from the University of South Florida. Some favorite previous roles include Violet in Violet, Susan in Snapshots, Cosette in Les Miserables, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Grace in Annie, and Shelby in Steel Magnolias. Thanks to Mom and Dad, family and friends, the cast and crew, Michaela for making her hair look beautiful, and her husband Jesse and doggo Pepper Pawtts for holding down the fort while she’s at rehearsal. Shout out to her Panther kiddos! Enjoy this beautiful show!
Jonathan Garcia: Pinocchio
Johnny is beyond thrilled to be making his New Tampa Players Debut! Some of Johnny’s favorite previous theatrical experiences include; Next to Normal (Gabe), The Addams Family (Gomez) Seussical The Musical (General Schmitz) and Beauty and the Beast Jr. (Co- Musical Director). Enjoy the Show!!
Jordyn Green: Fairy Godmother
Jordyn Green (She/Her) is a 20-year-old actress, born and raised in Tampa, Florida. She made her acting debut as a member of Troupe 7223 at Lennard high school, from which she graduated in 2021. Her favorite roles from her time there were Wednesday (The Addams Family) and Amy/Caroline (Theory of Relativity). The summer before her junior year, she did her first community theatre musical as Little Red Riding Hood (Into The Woods). After graduating, Jordyn took a hiatus from theatre to study education at Georgia Southern University and to begin her career as a teacher. Her role as Fairy Godmother marks her return to the theatre. Jordyn would like to thank her mom, granny, sister, and brother for their unwavering support.
Jillian Koehn: Sugar Plum Fairy
Jillian is thrilled to be in her first ever New Tampa Players production. As a college student pursuing her degree in Musical Theater, Shrek has been such a fun and special experience for her. Some of her favorite performing credits include Mamma Mia (Tonya), Anything Goes (Erma), Into the Woods (Rapunzel), and Hairspray (Amber VonTussle). Jillian is so utterly grateful for her family and friends for supporting her through this process and the MOST special thank you to her best friend, Evan. Pro tip: Find what you love to do and do it with someone you love. See you in the swamp!
Liam Lencsak: Pig 2
Liam Lencsak is proud to make his debut with NTP’s production of Shrek the musical! Liam has been acting ever since the age of 6 and has had many starring and supporting roles in many different productions, including Seussical, Beauty and the Beast, The Addams family, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Legally Blonde, Elf Jr, Fiddler on the Roof, and Grease! Liam also has many experiences with music, including his experience with singing with a band and auditioning for America’s Got Talent back in 2017 in Tampa. Liam would like to offer up his performances for his family and friends who constantly continue to give him motivation and encouragement to continue to do what he loves! His appreciation and love for the arts!
Evan Lomba: Donkey
Evan Lomba (Donkey) is excited to be making his New Tampa Players debut! Evan was last seen on stage with mad theatre of Tampa in the Regional Premiere of The Prom (Angie). Some of his favorite previous roles include: Falsettos (Whizzer), RENT (Angel), The Addams Family (Morticia), Seussical (Cat in the Hat), Putnam County Spelling Bee (Barfee) and Into the Woods (The Witch). He has also choreographed a number of productions across the Tampa area including Curtains, Cabaret and The Addams Family. Evan hopes you enjoy the show and that you always remember to let your freak flag wave!
Becki Mallett: Mad Hatter
Becki Mallett is excited to be back on the stage at New Tampa Players! You might have seen them most recently as Grandma Rosie in Wedding Singer or The Jester in Once Upon a Mattress at Carrollwood Players, monkeying around as a Whickersham in Seussical or looking on the bright side in Spamalot at Carrollwood Cultural Center. They have been involved in theater for over 20 years and are very excited to be a part of Shrek. You can find them at many conventions and renaissance festivals around the US, onstage; dancing, fighting, or acting. They would like to thank their family and friends for all their support!
Michael Neary: Pig 3
Michael moved to the Tampa area one year ago and has been busy in community theater from the start! He is proud to be on stage for his third production with The New Tampa Players, previously Grease and Zombie Prom. He spends his days writing code for a startup and teaching computer science for an online school.
Kristin Nelson: Assistant Stage Manager
Kristin is beyond thrilled to have been a small part in this incredible production! She made her stage management debut this summer with New Tampa Player’s production of Grease and was last seen on the NTP stage as Candy in Zombie Prom! Favorite onstage credits include Ken Ludwig’s Leading Ladies (Audrey), Cinderella (Charlotte), and The Wedding Singer (Ensemble). Huge thank you to Karissa and the rest of the cast and crew for all of their hard work, and to Mom, Mikey, and all of her friends for supporting the craziness over the last few months. Thank YOU for supporting live theatre!
Chelsea Orvis: Mama Bear/Mama Ogre
Chelsea is so excited to be back onstage with NTP! Chelsea has been performing in community theatre for 10 years! She has a background in vocal performance and has been singing since elementary school. Chelsea is a Disney nerd and really enjoys going to the parks! Her favorite credits include: Sally Brown (You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Sour Kangaroo (Seussical the Musical), and Sister Hubert (Nunsense). Thank you so much for supporting Shrek and NTP!
Sebastian Paine: Bishop/Guard/Pied Piper
Sebastian is a junior in high school who has recently discovered his love for being on stage. His credits include Daryl Grady (Curtains). He has also been a peer mentor in Penguin Project for 5 years. In addition, he loves to sing, play piano, compose music, build electronics, and lighting. Thank you to Karissa for this opportunity.
Makayla Raines: Humpty Dumpty
This is Makayla's fourth production with New Tampa Players. She has been performing since she was three and is no stranger to show business. She currently works as a RBT for children with different learning disabilities and currently moonlights as a professional choreographer for Carrollwood Players Theatre in Tampa. In addition to being onstage, Makayla also designed the makeup for this production! She has aspirations to head up a theater program of her own one day. Makayla has a deep love for Shrek the Musical and the message that being yourself is the best thing you can be in this world. She would like to thank her amazing friends for their constant love and support.
Rhys Ricardo: Little Shrek/Dwarf
Rhys is 10 years old and is a homeschooled fifth-grader from Dade City. He enjoys taking dance at Blackwood Studios, voice with Elizabeth Post and piano with Jason Joseph. Rhys loves to play Xbox, swim, tumble and hang out with his seven brothers and sisters. This is Rhys's first show at New Tampa Players. He has been seen at Arts in Motion Pasco in Matilda the Musical (Bruce), James and the Giant Peach (James), Shrek the Musical (Young Shrek), Willy Wonka, Newsies, Bye Bye Birdie and The Sound of Music. Next month, he can be seen in AIM's production of White Christmas. Rhys is having a blast and thanks Miss Karissa and NTP for the opportunity.
Patty Smithey: Gingy
Patty is beyond excited to be performing with New Tampa Players again! Patty wants to thank everyone for coming to support her and her Shrek family. Some of Patty’s favorite roles of hers include: Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Yum-Yum (Hot Mikado), Mimi (Rent), and Catherine Parr (Six: The Concert). She is also honored to be playing Lorrell Robinson in New Tampa Players’ next production, Dreamgirls!
Andy Terrazas: Captain of the Guards
A U.S. Air Force Veteran, Andy is thrilled to be part of Shrek the Musical as the Captain of the Guards. She has most recently been seen leading the Runner Up Award Winner of Best Play at the 2023 Tampa Bay Theatre Festival, Dear Yellow, Love Red (Red). She has also been featured in The Missing Piece Theatre Company’s production of Seussical (Wickersham #2), The Off-Central Players production of The Revenge of the Space Pandas (Boots/Mom) and SLT’s production of In the Heights (Bolero Singer). Andy would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support, as well as the cast, crew and creative team of the New Tampa Players’ production of Shrek the Musical for their incredible, amazing and dedicated work.
Samantha Thompson: Wicked Witch
Her entire life, Samantha has had a passion for all things music. She began singing in choir at Lakeland Christian School in elementary school and continued to sing there until her senior year. Along with her love of singing, she also enjoys dancing. She has been at Southern Grace Dance Co. since 2017 and has loved every minute of it. Previously, she was involved in a production of Seussical as a Bird Girl. Samantha loves performing and hopes to be involved in many more productions in the future.
Juli Turell: Ugly Duckling
Juli Turell is very excited to be making her debut with the New Tampa Players. Some of their favorite credits include Liesl in The Sound of Music, Snoopy in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, and Crapshooter/Havana Girl in Guys and Dolls. She is a recent Saint Leo University graduate, with a double BA in Clinical Psychology and Theatre. They also enjoy various other forms of art, like drawing and writing, and loving their pets, Apollo and Luna.
Jake Viet: Pig 1
This is Jake’s second production with New Tampa Players and he is excited to share this amazing show with you! You may have seen Jake as Doody in NTP’s summer production of Grease. He is excited to be back on this stage for this show and many more shows to come. He wants to thank his family, his friends, and Kyndall for their unwavering support.
Gabrielle Wood: Dragon
Gabrielle Wood is a graduate of Florida Southern College (FSC). You may have seen her in Seussical, and The Plot… Thickens (The Missing Piece), Conversations in the Car (Plays by Gretchen), Murder Mystery Company (American Immersion Theatre), Grease, and Rock of Ages (Lakeland Community Theatre) A Funny Thing… Forum (Polk State and FSC). Also at FSC: Kiss Me Kate, Rimers of Eldritch, Maids of Honor, and Studiobox (Improv Comedy). She is proud and honored to be making her New Tampa Players debut with such a phenomenal show, crew, and cast. She asks that you please consider her for any and all creative projects you may be a part of in the future. Thank you to her Mom, Sybil, and as always, Jim Carrey!
Megan Zeitler: Music Director/Keys 1
Megan Zeitler is excited to be music directing Shrek with New Tampa Players. She has most recently been seen music directing The Drowsy Chaperone and Falsettos for MAD Theatre of Tampa, as well as playing/music directing shows for American Stage, Missing Piece Theatre, Plant City Entertainment, and several other local theaters. Prior to moving to Tampa three years ago, she conducted the Buckhead Girls Choir (Atlanta) and Mozart Choir (New Delhi) and has music directed/performed shows in five states and six countries. In addition to teaching private piano and voice lessons at her studio, Megan plays and sings across the Tampa and St. Petersburg area. She is a huge nerd that loves board games, Doctor Who, astrophysics, and philosophy. Favorite past productions include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator), Jekyll and Hyde (Lucy), Evita (Eva), Cyrano de Bergerac (Roxanne), Next to Normal (Diana), and Falsettos (Music Director).
Victoria Grace Zisi: Choreographer/Featured Dancer
Victoria teaches theatre at Countryside Christian Academy and has been professionally performing, choreographing, directing, and doing all things tech, for many years. She holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts: Production (Liberty University). Recent contracts include tableread actor (upcoming Star Wars series, LucasFilms), Detective Sergeant/Lawyer (One Cop’s Journey, JCFilms), Ariana/Choreographer (Crimson Sails, Gulfport Community Players), Director/Choreographer (Aladdin Jr., Aspire Christian Theatre), and directing/performing in her original WWII play, Blind to the Truth, for the Kennedy Center upon receiving their David L. Shelton playwriting award. Victoria would like to thank God, family, and friends! “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).
A Note from the Director
Director's Note:
There is nothing better than local theatre, because you will run into the actors you see on stage at your local coffee shops, schools, and doctors offices. They represent you as a community, because they are you! The timeless story of "Shrek" embodies what this new performing arts center represents: a place where everyone belongs. As you watch the show, my hope as a director is you will see yourself in one of the characters and hear loud and clear that "what makes us special, makes us strong." Enjoy the show and thank YOU for supporting the performing arts through New Tampa Players!
-Karissa Barber
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