The two plays are “Shrek The Musical KIDS,” which will be performed by the middle schoolers, and an abridged version of “The Tragedie of Julius Caesar,” which will be performed by the high schoolers. The two plays will take place back-to-back at each show time, with a short intermission in between. The opening is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, and the closing matinee is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday.

They both take place in the Tupper Lake Middle-High School auditorium, located at 25 Chaney Ave. “Shrek The Musical KIDS” is first on both days, with “The Tragedie of Julius Caesar” taking place after intermission. Tickets are $7 at the door for adults, $5 for students and seniors and free for children ages 5 and under.

Some of the cast members presented a bit about their roles at the TLCSD’s Oct. 6 school board meeting. At that point, cast members were already about a week into rehearsals.

Red & Black Players Vice President John Fallon, a junior, noted that “The Tragedie of Julius Caesar” is performed in its original old Shakespearean English. He said this was a challenging — but ultimately rewarding — process for the cast. Fallon added that many student performers in the play are taking on multiple roles, such as a Greek chorus, in addition to their primary characters. The chorus, he said, helps to emphasize the actions that take place in the scene.

Ash Barber, left, as William Shakespeare and Oliver Roberts as Soothsayer rehearse for “The Tragedie of Julius Caesar” at the Tupper Lake Middle-High School on Monday evening. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

TLCSD Music Department student President Haylee Callaghan, a senior, said getting two plays ready to present in just over a month made for a busy rehearsal schedule. She said they rehearsed three nights per week throughout October, working around athletic events and other conflicts the best they could.

Fallon noted that there was a great group of volunteers supporting the students. He said they prepare meals for the students during the final night of rehearsals, and that the home cooking was tremendously appreciated by the cast.

“This is a real asset to all of us, primarily because McDonald’s and Stewart’s get absolutely horrible after about the fourth week,” he quipped.

In previewing the “Shrek The Musical KIDS” play, seventh-grader Cash Hollingsworth said the show takes the very best from the popular 2001 movie and 2008 Broadway play, and condenses that into a 30-minute show with acting, singing and dancing.

Like their older peers, many middle schoolers in the cast are playing multiple roles.

Gabrielle Frenette, left, and Eliza Bujold rehearse for “The Tragedie of Julius Caesar” as Citizen 3 and Citizen 1, respectively, at the Tupper Lake Middle-High School on Monday evening. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

“There are 18 people in our cast who are covering 31 roles,” said Amelia Shaheen, a seventh-grader. “So many of us have more than one part. There is a lot of music to learn, along with choreography and spoken lines. This also means there will be a lot of costume changes during the show.”

Mallory Snyder, a seventh-grader, said it’s challenging to play the characters in “Shrek The Musical KIDS” because the cast has to act very differently than in real life, such as speaking in a high-pitched voice for Pinocchio, or acting like a gruffy ogre for other roles. Snyder said it was getting easier the more they practiced.

For “Shrek The Musical KIDS,” the cast features Ashton Baker, Annabella Baker, Henry Bedore, Emmie Brunette, Piper Davis, Ryan Dewyea, Jacob Grimm, Cash Hollingsworth, Victoria Hudak, Martin Hughes, Garrett LaValley, Samuel Mozdzier, Avarie Quesnel, Lance Schaffer, Amelia Shaheen, Jackson Shore, Mallory Snyder and Delainee Wilson.

Crew includes Josie Desmarais, Emma Gnann, Cailyn Norton, Isabelle Sauvageau, Oland Townsend and Hudson Wormuth, under the direction of Stage Director Elizabeth Cordes and Assistant Director Danielle LaMere. Kendall Davison is the choreographer for this production.

For The Tragedie of Julius Caesar, the cast features Ash Barber, Eliza Bujold, Haylee Callaghan, Jackson Dukette, Ava Facteau, John Fallon, Gabrielle Frenette, Lucy Frenette, Aubrey Nadeau, Bryce Richer, Oliver Roberts, Clem Sears, Ghost Switzer, Noah Switzer and Sean Wood.

Students rehearse for “The Tragedie of Julius Caesar” at the Tupper Lake Middle-High School on Monday evening. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

Morgan Lohr and Alison Richer are the crew and the play is directed by Stage Director George Cordes. Lighting for both plays is provided by David Naone.

The Red & Black Players rehearse “The Tragedie of Julius Caesar” at the Tupper Lake Middle-High School on Monday evening. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

The Red & Black Players rehearse “The Tragedie of Julius Caesar” at the Tupper Lake Middle-High School on Monday evening. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)