Shrek makes a splash at Bradley

By ASHLEY HUSTON ’11

ERIC PETERSEN ’03, left, who plays the title character in the national tour of Shrek the Musical, returned to the Hilltop on September 7. He spoke to classes and hosted workshops for the students who, for the most part, are at the same place in their careers that Eric found himself in during his time at Bradley. Petersen’s costar, David F. M. Vaughn, who plays Lord Farquaad in the musical that is traveling to 25 cities in the next year, joined him.

During the student workshop, the two actors answered questions, giving students frank and experienced advice about the theater, and even allowed students to role-play a fake audition. He also spoke about the role of agents in an actor’s career.

“The agent works for you,” Petersen said, “not the other way around.” Petersen also explained the importance of the students marketing themselves appropriately. “You have to know what you’re selling,” he explained, “what your product is.” He also explained to his audience that their first jobs will not always be glamorous, but those first jobs are still very important. “When you’re young, always say ‘yes’ to everything that you can,” Petersen advised.

Petersen and Vaughn toured campus, met with President Joanne Glasser, and spent time with the faculty and students of the Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts.