From January 17th to 25th, Dublin’s Royal Theater Academy will be performing the musical, The Little Mermaid, at Cal State East Bay’s University Theater.
“What excites me the most about helping a production like this is the collaboration. Everyone brings something exciting to the table, and we are able to work well with one another to bring a piece like this to life. It is also a learning experience, so I am grateful for being able to learn from others and also grow as an artist,” director Ryanne Biernat said.
From Screen to Stage
Two casts of leads will be performing on different nights, each putting their own spin on the core roles. The cast hopes to bring new life to the themes of Disney’s classic tale.
“What I love about The Little Mermaid is that it’s a fun and colorful show packed with timeless music, humor, and memorable characters. One key theme that will stick with the audience is about having courage and curiosity. Ariel’s desire to explore the unknown teaches audiences that asking questions, exploring new experiences, and following your dreams can lead to exciting discoveries and how to find your voice,” Biernat said.
Additionally, the musical adds musical numbers like “Human Stuff” and “Storm at Sea.” Some songs are taken from the original 1989 film, while others are original numbers.
“I like how upbeat Little Mermaid is as a show. It’s got all those good vibes, and I think it can teach audiences about acceptance even when it might not be easy,” Amador student and cast member Sam Gutierrez said.
A Theater Community
This will be Royal Theater Academy’s ninth mainstage production. The crew has been preparing for months backstage.
“I think the audience [will] really like all the funny moments of the show and how much work we’ve put into it for all these months,” cast member Emmett Hendricks Scrutchin said.
Royal Theater Academy has the key goal of “nurturing the theater artist in everyone.” Also, they hope to form a strong theater company and a strong community.
“What I love about RTA is that it’s a welcoming and encouraging environment. RTA is wonderful for creating opportunities for performers of all ages and skills. Importantly, it’s a supportive space that cares about the performer’s education and growth in theatre. It’s a space where everyone can be themselves and be creative… We can create unforgettable and magical experiences as a community,” Biernat said.
