Merrill students to perform in “Shrek the Musical”

Four Merrill students will take the stage in Central Wisconsin Educational Theater Alliance’s (CWETA) production of “Shrek the Musical” Feb. 5-15, 2026, at Wausau West High School Theater.
Drake Hoffman plays in a lead role as Donkey, Shrek’s comedic sidekick. He’ll be joined by fellow Merrill performers Lauren Van Alstine as Humpty Dumpty, Leo Lazare as Pig 2, and Sophia Volpe as Peter Pan.
The students earned their roles through a competitive audition process that drew more than 100 performers from 20+ schools across the region. CWETA produces one large-scale musical every two years, featuring professional-level costumes, sets, and a live pit orchestra.
The cast has the opportunity to work with Eric Petersen, a TV and stage actor who played Shrek on the National Broadway Tour, during a week-long rehearsal intensive.
“Shrek the Musical is everything we love about theatre,” said Laurie Maegli, CWETA Founder and Artistic Director. “It’s joyful, heartfelt, and wildly creative — and this cast brings so much personality and commitment to the stage. Pair that with stunning design, live orchestra, and professional mentorship, and you have a production that reflects both the talent of our students and the power of community collaboration.”
The production includes three morning matinees for school groups and an adapted performance for special education students, as well as evening performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and a 1:30 p.m. performance on Sundays during the two-week span. Tickets are available at CWETA.org.