Each show, as I sit to compose these Director’s Notes, I am more and more swept away by the power of community. The cast, crew, and our many volunteers have worked tirelessly to bring this story to life for you amidst laughter, excitement, and the pure joy of working together. I am honored to be a part of this program, A program where students not only rise to the presented challenges but create magic on stage while doing it.
Thank you so much for being here! We are honored that you are coming along with us for a while to leave reality on this beloved under the sea adventure. Whether this is your first time seeing this story or you can recite every line, your playful imagination is as vital a part of your experience with us as anything on the stage. So let yourself be free to play for a little while! Sing along. Believe mermaids and talking crabs exist. Because here and now, they do.
Admittedly, I was nervous about directing The Little Mermaid at first. This show is not only a huge undertaking, it also requires us to access a childlike sense of make believe. Throughout this process I had to relearn how to make believe just for the sake of having fun. By approaching this show through that lens my hesitation couldn’t have been more wrong because not only did we get to embrace the child in all of us but also embraced the messages at the heart of this story. Those messages – which are still so relevant and important to remember today - are exactly what propelled this production.
Overcome differences and find true love. Too often, we fear things that are different from us. That fear can divide us and make it seem that our worlds are as different as land and sea. But sometimes a fascination with those differences and the bravery to explore them can conquer that fear and bring those worlds together. At its core that is the story we are sharing. Ariel asks the critical question so many of us have asked too. Where is it that I belong? What if it’s a place you have to create or discover for yourself? Imagine what a wonderful world we would live in if we all had her bravery, open eyes and open heart. I hope that one day we can all be a part of that world.
Thank you for supporting our students and the arts in schools,
Kaleb Stone
