Tippecanoe Valley High School’s spring play “The Little Mermaid” is 7 p.m. Thursday, March 23, through Saturday, March 25, in the TVHS Commons. Shown are some of the cast members. From left: Jordan Strayer, Porter Rich, Samantha Leal, Natalia Hamilton, Cassie Rich, Madison Grossman, Sarah Farley, Kaitlyn Eastgate, Kloie Leal, Karlee Harshman, Alison Smythe, Emma Craig, Karis King, Hailee Norman and Anessa Stutzman.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

AKRON — Tippecanoe Valley High School’s Theater Department invites people to travel under the sea with it this week.

Its spring musical “The Little Mermaid” is 7 p.m. Thursday, March 23, through Saturday, March 25, in the TVHS Commons. Tickets are $8 at the door or may be ordered at tvtheater.ludus.com.

Almost 50 students make up the cast and crew, which includes some Tippecanoe Valley Middle School and Akron and Mentone elementary school students. The full cast and crew list may be viewed at the end of the story.

Director Thomas Boys said students helped select “The Little Mermaid” as the spring play. It’s based on the 1989 Disney movie inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s story.

Audience members will see Ariel the mermaid become human to win the heart of Prince Eric.

Though all the familiar characters of Ariel, Prince Eric, King Triton, Ursula, Sebastian, Flounder, Scuttle and more are present, there are some differences from the Disney movie, said Boys.

“A couple things that we aren’t able to replicate from the movie are Prince Eric sinking into the ocean after being thrown overboard and Ariel swimming to the surface when Ursula gives her legs,” he said. “These effects can be done using fly rigging, but in our case we would like to rely on the audience’s use of their own imaginations to fill in some of the blanks, another part of what the magic of theater is all about.”

“I’m sure most of the audience will enjoy just seeing their child, or someone they know, performing on stage,” Boys noted. “I do also hope they enjoy the music and seeing the different scenery pieces and sets.”

He said he hoped the students involved with the play gain “a sense of accomplishment for a job well done.”

“Along with that, I hope they develop a love for the theater and performing and knowledge on what it takes – time, commitment, dedication, personal responsibility – to be in a production like this,” added Boys. “As well, I hope they gain more knowledge and awareness of how shows like this are put together and all the elements that have to be coordinated and practiced to make it successful – lights, sound, choreography, set design and construction, costumes, makeup and stage crew responsibilities.”

Boys, who’s acted and directed in more than 17 musicals, said his “greatest joy in directing … is seeing the growth in the students I direct – growing as performers, students and as human beings.”

“Seeing students overcome their own fears of performing on stage adds to the pride I have in the students I work with,” he said. “The students are very, very excited to bring this show to the stage.”

“The Little Mermaid”

Director: Thomas Boys
Assistant Director/Art Design: Lisa Lynch

High School Students:

• Alison Smythe – Ariel
• Olliver Pettit – Prince Eric
• Emma Craig – Sebastian
• Genevieve Heller – Crew
• Carsen Putman – Crew
• Hailee Norman – Scuttle
• Porter Rich – King Triton
• Cassie Rich – Mersister
• Jordan Strayer – Ursula
• Karlee Harshman – Mersister
• Natalia Hamilton – Chef Louis
• Madison Grossman – Mersister
• Anessa Stutzman – Mersister and Costume Manager/Student Director
• Abagale Hamman – Ensemble
• Chris Bake – Technical Director
• Ramey Gibbs – Crew
• Gunnar Crispen – Crew
• Maverik Lowe – Crew

Middle School Students:

• Tessa Rich – Flounder
• Karis King – Ensemble
• Guadalupe Jimenez-Baca – Ensemble
• Kianna Smith – Ensemble
• Kloie Leal – Ensemble
• Samantha Leal – Ensemble
• Kaitlyn Eastgate – Mersister
• Sarah Farley – Mersister
• Wyatt Craig – Grimsby
• Collin Hamman – Crew

Elementary Students:

• Violet Amberg
• Kaien Fields
• Kaydence Hooley
• Lily Hyde
• Bella Jones
• Gizelle Malagon
• Daliah Rock-Brauer
• Declan Carrothers
• Kaley Parker
• Macy Sweeny
• Kasey Ortiz-Jurado
• Nora Parker
• Bella Meinert
• Mayleigh Myers
• Kaid Scacco
• Makenzie Brown
• Makenna Rassi
• Olive Omondi
• Sophie Sponseller
• William Cunningham

Alison Smythe, left, as Ariel, and Emma Craig as Sebastian rehearse a scene.

Jordan Strayer, left, as Ursula persuades Alison Smythe as Ariel to follow her evil plan.

Hailee Norman, left, as Scuttle shows Alison Smythe as Ariel how to use her new legs.