-
Snyder native Riley Arnold (left) will play the role of Shrek in Hardin-Simmons University’s production of Shrek the Musical this week. Pictured with Arnold are Brenna Sheridan (center) as Fiona and Domonique Gordon as Donkey.
Grab your torch and pitchforks because there’s a new ogre in the swamp.
In his final semester at Hardin-Simmons University (HSU), 2014 Snyder High School graduate Riley Arnold will play Shrek in HSU’s production of Shrek the Musical this week.
“Probably the most challenging thing has been learning Shrek’s Scottish accent,” he said. “With that, a lot of people know about Shrek the movie, but they don’t necessarily know about Shrek the Musical. It’s been a challenge incorporating the Mike Myers version of Shrek and the musical version of Shrek while also being my own character.”
According to Arnold, the musical follows the same plot as the movie.
“The only difference is that there’s songs and dancing in the musical,” he said.
Though Shrek is notoriously lighthearted and humorous, there is a central theme to the story.
“No matter where you come from or what you look like, we’re all the same,” Arnold said. “We all have a heart, we all have blood flowing through that heart, and it’s about what you make out of it that gets you where you’re going. You see it in Shrek, but even the most hideous creature has a heart.”
Arnold has a longstanding relationship with theater and has developed a love for theater as both a performer and spectator.
“From a performer’s point of view, I love being on stage and being a different person,” he said. “I think it actually helps me to become a better person. But from an audience perspective, I love getting to escape from the reality of the real world. What you get on the stage is what happens in that moment, and in live theater, no performance is ever the same.”
As Arnold wraps up his final semester at HSU, he reflected on his theatrical experiences in Snyder and his performances both at Snyder ISD and the Ritz Community Theater.
“The theater atmosphere is the same here. Our theater group is a family just like we were in Snyder,” he said. “If it wasn’t for the foundation that (former SHS theater teacher) Katie Spence gave me, I would not have gotten here. That foundation got me to where I am now.”
Arnold will graduate from HSU in May with a bachelor of fine arts in musical theater and hopes to join a touring theater company. As he prepares to begin his career, he has advice for young theater enthusiasts who might be interested in pursuing a theater career.
“Take the risk,” he said. “Don’t let opportunities that are or are not given to you keep you from following your dreams.”