After two weeks of intense practices, the cast and crew of Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. presented a spectacular performance at the Jena High School auditorium Friday evening, July 19, before a large crowd of family, friends and theater enthusiasts.
The program was part of The Strand Village Project #thrive (funded in part by a Substance and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program Grant from The Rapides Foundation) and was the second theater camp held this summer for area youth.
The musical performance featured singing, dancing and acting from youth of all ages and was under the direction of JHS Drama Club Sponsor Tracy Joy. She was joined by site coaches Holly Grant and Blake Joy along with #thrive Arts Interns Abby Reeves and Parker Roark and Stage Manager/Crew Chief Nova Smith.
The cast included: Ariel – Ainslee Cooksey, Sebastian – Gabbie Sharp, Flounder – Lydia Powell, Prince Eric – Tripp Franklin, Scuttle – Sophie Reaves, Ursula – Iris Smith, King Triton/Chef Louis – Sarah Alexander, Pilot – Kharis Bowen, Grimsby – Ceanna Benandi, Seahorse – Madeline Randall, Aquata – Piper Campbell, Adrina – Pyper Moses, Arista – Josie Manning, Atina – Audrey Davis, Adella – Harley DeLaSalle, Allana – Adylyn Lambeth, Gulls – Jillian Parker, Jesilyn Poole, Maggie Ranton, Flotsam – Ella Kate Greer, Jetsam – Reagan Patten, Carlotta – Rayleigh Welch, Sailors – Jillian Parker, Jesilyn Poole, Maggie Ranton, Raleigh Welch, Sea Creatures – Madeline Randall, Emma Jordan, Jillian Parker, Camilyn Willis, Cayda Willis, Maggie Ranton, Raleigh Welch, Sophie Reaves, Emma Jordan, Harley DeLaSalle, Chefs – Emma Jordan, Madeline Randall, Camilyn Willis, Cayda Willis, and Princesses – Piper Campbell, Pyper Moses, Josie Manning, Audrey Davis, Harley DeLaSalle and Adelyn Lambeth.
Familiar musical selections from the famous Disney movie included Fathoms Below, Daughters of Triton, Human Stuff, Part of Your World, Under the Sea, She’s In Love, Poor Unfortunate Souls and Kiss the Girl, to name a few.
Camp organizers would like to thank the following for their assistance in providing the theater camp for area youth: Parents and families of the #thrive Arts Theater Camp, JHS Drama Club, LaSalle Parish School Board, JHS Principal Adam Powell, Chad Girlinghouse and Ace Family Hardware and Blake Phillips.
The Little Mermaid Jr. music was by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and the book by Doug Wright.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International, New York, NY (212) 541-4684 mtishows. com.
This program is a component of The Strand Village Project #thrive and is funded in part by a Substance and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program Grant from The Rapides Foundation. For more info., contact info@agreaterlasalle.com or visit www.agreaterlasalle.com.
Photos by Tracy Joy:
