Charlotte Academy of the Arts is thrilled to celebrate the curtain call on our production of The Little Mermaid Jr. — and what a milestone production it was. This marked our very first musical theatre production under our new name, and we couldn’t be more proud of how our students and creative team brought it to life.
Audiences journeyed under the sea as our cast presented performances on June 26th and 27th at Marvin Ridge High School. Complete with catchy musical numbers and the kind of heart only young performers can bring to the stage, it was pure joy to watch unfold! Under the direction of Lindsey Ranz (Director/Choreographer), Sarah Miller (Music Director), Regina Ziliani (Producer), and Marissa Hertzeld (Production Assistant), the production came to life with stunning visual detail, thoughtful characterization, and well-crafted vocals. From sea creatures to sailors to princesses, every actor told a story, brought to life with hand-crafted props, expertly styled wigs, stunning scenic projections, and beautifully designed set pieces that transported audiences straight to Ariel’s world.
Here’s the part that still amazes us: this entire production came together in just five days of rehearsal. From blocking scenes to learning choreography to polishing musical numbers, our cast and crew worked with focus and energy to pull off a full-scale musical in less than a week — a true testament to their talent, dedication, and trust in the creative process.
Live performance has a way of teaching lessons no rehearsal alone can. When small surprises popped up on stage, our cast leaned on their training to think on their feet, improvising in the moment and keeping the show moving without missing a beat. It’s a skill that only comes from stepping into the spotlight, and one our performers will carry with them long after the curtain closes.
And then there were the bows. After five days of hard work, the joy on our cast’s faces as they took their final bows said it all: they did it. That mix of pride and pure excitement is what live theatre is all about.
None of this would have been possible without our incredible creative team, whose vision and guidance shaped every moment of the show, and our cast and crew, who brought that vision to life on stage and behind the scenes. Their hard work, enthusiasm, and teamwork made The Little Mermaid Jr. a production our community won’t soon forget.
Thank you to everyone who came out to support our performers, and congratulations to the entire cast and crew on an unforgettable show. Here’s to many more productions under the Charlotte Academy of the Arts name!
We’re trading the sea for the swamp this fall! Our next musical theatre production will be Shrek Jr., open to students ages 10–18. We will also be taking Shrek Jr to JTF!
Rehearsals mid-September through mid-November
Performances November 13-14
Shrek Jr Auditions
Come ready to show us what you’ve got on August 2nd! Audition sides, songs, and more info coming soon.
Musical Theatre and Dance Classes
Enrollment for our theatre and dance classes begins August 1st. Join us to develop those triple threat skills and prepare for your next audition!