Applied Learning Academy eighth-grader Charles Barrow, 14, showcased his theatrical charisma on stage during his performance as the mean, green ogre Shrek.
The student-led play was the culmination of a school year’s worth of “cutting corners and stress.” His favorite part of performing was the singing, he said.
“It was a lot of work,” Barrow said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Student actors perform on stage on May 25 at the Applied Learning Academy, 3908 Mc Cart Ave. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Eight-grader Charles Barrow, 14, plays Shrek in the Applied Learning Academy’s student-led play. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Charles Barrow, 14, sings on May 25. Barrow, an eight-grader at the Applied Learning Academy, proposed the idea to create a play about Shrek to his theater teacher last year, he said. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
An Applied Learning Academy student plays Pinocchio on May 25 during a reenactment of popular film Shrek. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Students play Pinocchio, Peter Pan and the Big Bad Wolf on May 25. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
A student plays Lord Farquaad, one of the two main antagonists of the Shrek franchise. In the Shrek franchise, the character tries to marry Princess Fiona to become a king, but his plans are soiled by Shrek’s love for the princess. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Patricia Tennison, left, and Charles Barrow, right, perform as Shrek and Donkey on May 25. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Students play Lord Farquaad, one of the two main antagonists of the Shrek franchise, and Shrek. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Shrek and Donkey go on a journey to save Princess Fiona. The student-led play showcased the students’ vocal and choreography skills. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Students reenact a meeting between Donkey and Dragon, two characters who eventually fall in love in the Shrek franchise. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
A student who plays Dragon, the guardian of the tower where Princess Fiona is locked up, sings on May 25. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Naomi Michael-Ogbe plays Princess Fiona on May 25. Michael-Ogbe played a lead role in the performance. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Shrek, played by eight-grader Charles Barrow, saves Princess Fiona, played by Naomi Michael-Ogbe, from a tower. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Donkey, played by eighth-grader Patricia Tennison, and The Three Little Pigs perform a song on May 25. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Shrek and Fiona kiss at the end of the play on May 25. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report) 
Shrek cast members receive cheers and applause from audience members on May 25 at the Applied Learning Academy. (Cristian ArguetaSoto | Fort Worth Report)
Alongside his co-star Patricia Tennison, who played Donkey, the duo cracked the crowd up and impressed with vocal and choreographed performances.
“Patricia’s awesome. It’s hard not to break out laughing with her backstage because she’s just so hilarious,” Barrow said.
The school play, based on the 2001 Academy Award-winning animated film Shrek, featured beloved characters like Pinocchio, the Big Bad Wolf, the Three Little Pigs and even a very brief cameo from the en-garde cat Puss in Boots.
Students were in charge of costumes, choreography, lighting, stage design, audio and backstage duties.
The play was part of the Applied Learning Academy’s AdvisoCon 2022, a day of showcases and learning sessions. One panel taught students how to become involved in the school yearbook team. Another taught computer science and, across the hall, a teacher taught culinary skills.
The building formerly housed Rosemont 6th Grade Center, but the Applied Learning Academy took over a year ago. Now, the school teaches sixth through eighth grade.
Cristian ArguetaSoto is the community engagement journalist at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him by email or via Twitter. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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