You Got Your Own Style, Now Let It Shine Through And Remember No Matter What, You’ve Got To Be You – Sebastian from the Little Mermaid. The 1989 film, The Little Mermaid, featured iconic characters like Ariel, Prince Eric, Carlotta, Flounder, and Ursula. This year, drama will be recreating this iconic movie, but who will manage to get these roles? This is answered by the difficult process of casting that will be taking place throughout October 25 through October 30th.
Mr. Thompson reveals auditions are made so that all students have a say in the roles in the play. In addition, the casting committee, a committee of experienced members of drama, will take into consideration the votes of the class to make the ultimate decision. However, with so many different people auditioning and voting, the casting committee is often responsible for many tough decisions before reaching a consensus. The call back process, possibly the most exciting and nerve wracking period for participants, reveals who will get the chance to re-audition for a second round. This often involves a member of the committee getting on stage and reading out the names of those who passed the first audition.
One member of the drama class, Lily Wilkins, comments on her experience in the casting process for Ursula stating she practiced everyday and evening until her audition last Wednesday. Overall three other people auditioned for the role of Ursula, including student Samantha Frederick who says she went over her lines the night before her audition and performed in front of her family to better prepare herself. The competition for this role is fierce, and Fredrick mentions seeing other really talented auditions that could potentially get the role. Bailey Rose Vasquez is auditioning for the role of Carlotta, along with three others, who says she did the best she could, and like many, feels nervous but confident. Even the position of Prince Eric includes the intense competition between two students of the class. Angel Odonnell explains how he practiced the song throughout the days before his audition and feels nervous but ready.
The casting committee is responsible for making the final decision on the roles these students will get once the class has voted. Committee member, Sophia Kelley, explains that this job is “difficult because we want the best play possible, but… sometimes it means that you have to cast deserving people in lesser roles.” The week long process is a complicated one, but with the opinions of all class members and the committee the cast list will eventually be submitted to Mr. Thompson, and then announced to the class.
There is a lot of preparation involved in order to get through the auditions, and the multitude of participants that audition makes this process all the more intense. Still, this process is necessary to create the iconic play of the Little Mermaid.
