Spring fever is on the rise, and so are the Spring plays at Weber High School. If you’re itching to get out and do something besides hunker down at home, you’re in luck!
Soon to debut is The Little Mermaid production, which will run from April 27th-May 6th. A special character brunch, where you can eat and take pictures with all your favorite characters, will also be held.
If you’ve ever wondered how the Spring musicals differ from the Fall ones, Mark Daniels, the Production Director of Weber High School, tells us how: “The Fall musicals are open auditions, which means anyone in the school can audition for them, and the Spring musicals are presented by the Productions Company.”
The Productions Company is the premier musical theater class which can be taken in the school and is cast by auditions that are held in the Spring before the school year starts.
Daniels also tells us that, “The plays are decided by what would work best with the kids who will be performing in them the next year. And on closing nights of the Fall and Spring musicals, we announce the shows to be performed the next year.”
Daniels says, “I’m excited to take the audience ‘under the sea’ and experience the journey that Ariel takes. Every scene and song is so immersive into The Little Mermaid’s world and the songs are so lively and exciting.”
Ashley Anderson, an officer in the Productions Company, as well as a student at Weber High, is playing one of the lead roles as Ursula. She says, “I love acting because there is a joy I get from it that nothing else compares to. I get to bring my community joy by putting on a show and entertaining them.”
Ashley tells us that her favorite part of being in a production is, “Seeing the little children’s faces light up when something magical happens.
Even as a busy high school student, Ashley says, “No matter what stresses I have in my life at the time, I can always turn to theater. During the time I am on stage, I forget about everything else. The only thing that matters is Ursula.”
When asked what she felt her director, Mark Daniels, adds to any production, her response was, “Perfection. No matter what, he always insists that we give him everything we have. He knows our potential and he pushes us to reach our full potential.”
Ashley’s favorite part of being in the cast of the Little Mermaid is playing the villain. “It is something completely opposite of me. Ursula is very slow and methodical and deliberate; While I am very fast paced, bouncing off the walls and talking a million miles a minute.”
As a student in the theater department, Ashley has learned responsibility, following up on commitments and being dependable. She feels these are very valuable skills that may have taken longer to acquire later on.
As a lead role, Ashley also says this has taught her humility. “I know many others would have loved the part that I received, but I was chosen, and that has shown me to be grateful for what I receive and to do the best I can.”
As a final note, Mark Daniels adds, “Presenting this show to the children will be fun. Almost every little girl had dreams of being a mermaid. The audience is really going to make this show exciting.”
So, come see what’s it’s all about April 27th-May 6th, 2017 at Weber High School.
