August 28, 2024

All are welcome to journey “under the sea” at Grand Island Senior High (GISH)!

“Disney’s The Little Mermaid” will take the stage at the GISH Center for Performing Arts for the school’s annual Fall musical.  A modern classic filled with unmissable music and spectacle — “The Little Mermaid” will be a wondrous experience for the whole family. 

The famed Disney musical will run Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd at 7:00 p.m. and a Sunday, November 3rd for a 2:00 p.m. matinee with all performances on stage at the auditorium of Grand Island Senior High.  Tickets will go on sale on September 9th and may be purchased online at www.gips.org/gishtheatre. 

For one GISH Senior, the show brings an exciting opportunity to step into a famous role. 

“Growing up watching The Little Mermaid Ariel was one of my favorite princesses.” Olivia Madison, set to play Ariel in the show, said, “I remember watching “The Little Mermaid” at GISH in 2015 and seeing one of my favorite movies come to life. I remember wanting to do that myself. I feel so honored that young kids will be able to watch me and feel the way I did back then.”

The cast and crew boasts nearly 100 Grand Island Senior High students both on the stage and behind the curtain.  An impressive display of student talent to produce the magical show. 

In continuing a new tradition of sorts, the GISH performers will be supported by a group of special guests.

Rounding out the company will be approximately 40 additional Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) students.  A group of 4th through 8th Graders from GIPS have the cast as “Young Ensemble” players to fill the stage in large group numbers.

Looking to the fun ahead, another GISH Senior shared the excitement of bringing Disney magic on stage. 

"I'm very excited to be playing as Sebastian!” Grady Brisnehan, GISH Senior, shared, “I can't wait to see the Grand Island community come together to watch the show in November." 

Overall, the show will showcase talents of nearly 140 students from Grand Island Senior High and GIPS.  From favorite songs like, “Part of Your World” and, “Under the Sea”, and the iconic characters of Ariel, Ursula, Sebastian, Flounder, and more — “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” aims to be a magical musical for the whole Grand Island Community.

“We are so excited to bring this classic Disney story to life!” Katherine Welk, GISH Musical Director, said, “This musical is something people of all ages can enjoy. And, we get to offer the special experience of performing on one of the largest stages in the state to the 4th-8th grade Young Ensemble! I'm hoping this will motivate students to continue being involved in the Fine Arts and inspire those who attend the show to be part of their own school's fine arts ensembles or support the programs we have here in Grand Island.” 

The cast and crew for the production has been announced:

CAST

• Ariel - Olivia Madison 
• Prince Eric - Alex Weaver 
• Sebastian - Grady Brisnehan
• Scuttle - Alekzander Kuebler 
• Ursula - Tessa Bockoven 
• King Triton - Elijah Meier Juarez 
• Flounder - Damien Hester 
• Flotsam - Noah Javorsky 
• Jetsam - Claire Gartner 
• Grimsby - Cael Wiegert 
• Adella - Katelyn Sodomka 
• Allana - Britton Sackschewsky 
• Andrina - Alijhandra Kirschbaum 
• Aquata - Cadence Gidcumb 
• Arista - Lydia Hayden 
• Atina - Kennedy Miller 
• Chef Louis - Orvin Rubio Hernandez 
• Princesses: Adeline Woods, Alisea Sweet, Alijhandra Kirschbaum, Cassidy Boettger, Isabella Bramble, Sydnee Davis 
• Pilot - Prestin Meier 
• Windward - Ribaldo Mejia Martin 
• Leeward - Mateo Reynoso Bautista
• Maids: Hana Butters, Karina Calmo, Lucy Lopez, Raquel Lopez Perez

SAILORS:  Aiden Kluender, Coen Thorpe, Ethan Wichman, Gage Devall, Greyson Hashman, Holden Wemhoff, Jace Bergmeier, John Adams, Josue Nava, Kainen Mora, Malik Hansen, Mateo Reynoso Bautista, Orvin Rubio Hernandez, Ribaldo Mejia Martin, Skyler Vollmer, Tristan Osborn, Ulises Acosta 

GULLS:  Aiden Kluender, Alisea Sweet, Bella Roe, Britton Sackschewsky, Cara Camplin, Daniela Cortes, Jaylynn Mercer, Karina Calmo, Lizzie Stoppkotte, Lucy Stoppkotte, Lydia Hayden, Mateo Reynoso Bautista, Reagan Kort, Ribaldo Mejia Martin, Saydee Gomez, Skyler Vollmer 

CHEFS:  Aiden Kluender, Coen Thorpe, Gage Devall, John Adams, Kainen Mora, Mateo Reynoso Bautista, Ribaldo Mejia Martin, Ulises Acosta

SEA CREATURES:  Adeline Woods, Aiden Kluender, Alianna Wemhoff, Alicia Cardenas, Alisea Sweet, Alyssha Abrajan, Anaaliyah Mendez, Anna Jessop, Anna May, Bella Roe, Briana Arrieta, Brooke Miller, Cara Camplin, Cassidy Boettger, Claudia White, Daisy Robertson, Daniela Cortes, Dante Jessop, Elizabeth Stanley, Emaleigh Dreher, Emery Clark, Ethan Wichman, Gabi Avila, Gracyn Tennant, Greyson Hashman, Gwen Cox, Hana Butters, Hannah Jones, Holden Wemhoff, Isabella Bramble, Jace Bergmeier, Jaylynn Mercer, John Adams, Josue Nava, Kainen Mora, Karina Calmo, Kaylee Kamper, Lizzie Stoppkotte, Lucy Stoppkotte, Lucy Lopez, Madison Wieczorek, Malia McNeal, Malik Hansen, Marcela Zepeda Cano, Miley Edwards, Molly Bressler, Natalie Flores, Prestin Meier, Raquel Lopez, Regan Kort, Rhiana Perez-Orozco, Saydee Gomez, Skyler Vollmer, Sofie Betancourt, Sophia Mora, Sydnee Davis, Tristan Osborn, Ulises Acosta

STAGE CREW:  Angela Garcia Gomez, Claudia White, Dulceangel Zamora-Almanza, Elise Phinney, Isabella Garduno Hespe, Makenna Darling, Neylyn Marcos Alvarado, Sarah Wichman, Steven Diaz Hinojosa, Zoey Ramirez

YOUNG ENSEMBLE:

DIRECTOR:  Katherine Welk

MUSIC DIRECTOR:  Jesse LaBrie 

Performances of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” presented by Grand Island Senior High will be November 1st and 2nd at 7:00 p.m. and November 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at the GISH Auditorium. 

Tickets for the musical go on sale starting September 9th and may be purchased online at www.gips.org/gishtheatre. 

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