St. Mary of the Lakes Drama Club is excited to announce that we are partnering with the production team from Ritz Theatre Company, Haddon Heights, to lead our students in the performance of The Little Mermaid Jr. in our very own SML auditorium. This year we will have 3 performances: Friday April 27th 7:00PM, Saturday April 28th 7:00PM, and Sunday April 29th 2:00PM in addition to lunchtime mini shows for our students during tech week. Historically, there has been a great demand for named roles. The Little Mermaid Jr. offers us many named roles that can showcase a variety of talent. These include: Ariel, Prince Eric, Sebastian, Flounder, King Triton, the Mersisters, Carlotta, Ursula, Flotsam, Jetsam, Scuttle, Grimsby, Chef Louis, and more. Previously, parents were asked to provide a costume, contribute for the set and snacks, and donate candy for candy grams. This year we will have a onetime $75/student fee that will provide the following:

• Professional director Bruce Curless, a two-time Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award winner. Mr. Curless has 30 years of experience directing plays and musicals in professional theater

• Professional voice instructor/director Meredith Lowden. Ms. Lowden has been a music teacher for 13 years and has directed 7 middle school musicals

• Professional choreographer Roberta Curless • Access to the Ritz Theatre’s sets and costumes (undergarments,

tank top, tights/leggings socks, and shoes are the responsibility of

the student) • A budget for sets, lighting, extended staging (so that all performers

will be visible) • Little Mermaid Royalty fees • Souvenir script for each student • Downloadable Music • Cast T-shirt for each student • Cast party with dinner and DJ

Practices will be held Monday, Thursday, and Saturday starting February 22nd. One of the biggest changes to our play program is that not all parts are required to attend rehearsal every day, excluding tech week. The audition form asks for the days the student is not available so that the scenes can be scheduled around the student’s availability whenever possible. All students who try out will receive a role and their schedule will be accommodated to the best of the Director’s ability. Attendance at scheduled rehearsals is important so that the entire cast can learn their parts and practice the scenes together. Try-outs will be held Saturday, February 10th. To be fair and unbiased, casting will be determined by Mr. Curless and his group. Register online by clicking here. Registration closes February 5th. Please print out the confirmation you receive and bring with you to audition. Please click here for the Audition Form. Please print and complete this form and bring it to audition. We hope to create a theater program that will highlight our students’ theatrical talent and incorporate the talents of a professional production company so our students have fun and learn about theater performance. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Martin at (856) 905-4099.