Excitement was building all across campus as Flintridge Prep prepared to dive under the sea with this year’s spring musical, The Little Mermaid. Long before the curtain rose and audiences were swept away to a world of mermaids, princes, and unforgettable songs, months of hard work were already underway. For the past few months, students have been working tirelessly to memorize lines, learn choreography, and bring this beloved story to life. Many audience members will never fully realize how many people must work together to create a successful show. Now that audiences have watched the magic happen on stage, let’s take a peak behind the curtain of The Little Mermaid.

All students in grades 7-12 are encouraged to audition for the musical every year. The audition process starts early in September, where students must complete a dance audition, as well as a vocal audition. After, callbacks happen and a final cast list is announced. While being a member of the cast is a significant commitment, students describe it as equally rewarding. Rehearsals for the principal cast, those with the main roles, begin in November, and by December, the full cast has rehearsals everyday from 3:30 to 5:50 pm. As the second semester begins, Saturday rehearsals are added, and February rehearsals last until 6:00 pm. The end of February and early March marks “tech week,” when the stage crew is brought into the rehearsals to coordinate set pieces, costumes, props, lighting, and much more. The final week leading up to the show includes full dress rehearsals, often lasting until 8:30 pm. 

Balancing schoolwork and other extracurricular activities alongside the musical can be challenging. Yet, months of hard work culminate into four performances over three days, when the Prep community is finally able to witness all the incredible talent of their children, classmates, and friends. Reflecting on the behind-the-scenes work, Ella Rae McManus ‘27, an assistant stage manager, stated, “People don’t normally think about all the work that goes into creating the costumes, set design, and all the minor details that you may not think about when you’re watching the show, but if it wasn’t there, it would change the performance.” Stage crew members rarely receive the spotlight, but they are vital components of the show and are dedicated to making sure all the actors have a smooth performance. 

Furthermore, Maya Hakushi ‘26, who has participated in multiple productions, described the artistic challenges of preparing for her role as Prince Eric: “The most challenging part has been finding myself in the role I play, because even though it’s a very silly and lighthearted show, if you look closely there is actually a lot of nuance and depth in the characters of the Little Mermaid that parallel with real life. I’m having so much fun exploring my character as Prince Eric!” When asked what audiences should look forward to on opening night, she added: “I’m most excited to see the audience’s reaction to Mr. Quinn’s approach towards the Disney classic. It’s a very abstract interpretation, and I hope the audience will explore it with their own interpretations and imaginations as they watch our production.”

While the audience only sees a few magical hours on stage, the reality is months of dedication and passion from students both in the spotlight and behind the scenes. From long rehearsals after school to weekend tech runs and late-night dress rehearsals, every member of the cast and crew plays a vital role in bringing a familiar story to life on the stage of Norris Auditorium.