Shrek The Musical

In late 2024, the Esperance Theatre Guild brought fairy tales to life in their sold-out production of Shrek The Musical, thanks in part to support from the Mt Burdett Foundation’s Esperance Community Advisory Committee (ECAC) . With the grant, the Guild delivered an unforgettable experience for local audiences, while upskilling volunteers, strengthening youth engagement, and raising the profile of performing arts in regional WA.

The Mt Burdett Foundation’s funding allowed the Guild to engage Gwendydd Fox, a professional prosthetics and makeup artist from Perth. Gwen led a multi-day workshop with cast and crew, teaching techniques and helping to design and fabricate detailed prosthetic pieces, including snouts for the Three Little Pigs, a muzzle for Donkey, and elaborate facial features for Shrek, Fiona, and Lord Farquaad. While some prosthetics weren’t used in the final performance due to practicality during live shows, the collaboration with Gwen offered invaluable skill development for volunteers and created a vibrant, theatrical look that delighted audiences.

Shrek The Musical didn’t just impress artistically, it was a runaway commercial success. All 1,390 tickets sold out in just 13 days, breaking the Guild’s own record set by their 2023 production of Les Misérables. With an additional 255 patrons waitlisted, the show’s popularity has sparked plans to extend future seasons to accommodate demand.

Behind the scenes, the production engaged 97 volunteers, including 47 young people aged 6–25, and forged new creative partnerships with local organisations like the Fiona Ryan Dance Academy and the Esperance Music Festival.

Beyond the dazzling costumes and full houses, Shrek had a deeper impact:

• Cast and crew gained confidence, experience, and professional guidance.

• Audiences saw the power of regional talent and storytelling.

• Young people found a welcoming, expressive outlet in the performing arts.

  
  

Esperance Theatre Guild is already using the momentum from Shrek to develop new programs, including school holiday drama workshops and exploring future large-scale productions in 2026 or 2027.

The Mt Burdett Foundation is proud to have supported this production, which aligns with our commitment to enhancing health, wellbeing, and community engagement through arts and culture. As Esperance continues to grow its creative capacity, we look forward to seeing what the Theatre Guild brings to the stage next.

We fund projects that build skills, spark joy, and bring people together, on stage, in classrooms, and across regional WA. Do you have a creative project that could benefit your community? Visit https://www.mtburdettfoundation.org.au/esperance to learn more about ECAC grants and how to apply.