PHOTOS BY REBEKAH DELL / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
SPRING PLAY … Jaden Kaullen as Sebastian reacts dramatically as Ariel’s sisters, King Triton, Ariel and Flounder appear on stage after Ariel misses the concert.
THE LITTLE MERMAID … Emma Schlade as Ariel and Noah Mills as Prince Eric sit in a boat during Kiss the Girl as cast members sing and dance around them.
SPIRITED PRODUCTION … Emma Schlade as Ariel sits in a bubble bath surrounded by maids.
WAVES OF ENERGY … Chris Avell as Jetsam, Elleah Davis as Ursula and Emory Ehrhart during a scene from Bryan High School’s production of The Little Mermaid.
PAYING A VISIT … Chris Avell as Jetsam, Emma Schlade as Ariel and Emory Ehrhart as Flotsam discuss visiting the sea witch in Ariel’s grotto.
By Rebekah Dell
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Audiences were swept under the sea as Bryan High School students performed The Little Mermaid, with performances held April 9 at 7 p.m., April 10 at 7 p.m., and April 11 at 2 p.m. at New Hope Church in Bryan, Ohio.
Based on the classic 1989 Disney film and the original story by Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Mermaid follows Ariel, a curious young mermaid who dreams of life beyond the ocean.
After falling in love with Prince Eric, she makes a daring deal with the sea witch Ursula, trading her voice for a chance to walk on land.
Along the way, Ariel is supported by her loyal friends Flounder and Sebastian as she navigates the challenges of two very different worlds.
Bryan High School’s production brought the familiar story to life with energy and creativity, blending strong performances with creative staging and thoughtful design choices that kept the audience engaged from start to finish.
The cast delivered a confident and well-rounded performance, with several standout portrayals anchoring the production. Emma Schlade led the show as Ariel, showcasing impressive vocal ability and a strong emotional range, particularly in moments that required both vulnerability and determination.
Elleah Davis captured the spirit of Ursula with a commanding stage presence, leaning fully into the character’s humor, intimidation, and larger-than-life personality.
Jaden Kaullen brought consistent energy and comic timing to Sebastian, maintaining the character’s signature accent throughout and adding humor at key moments.
Noah Mills portrayed Prince Eric with a steady presence that balanced well against Ariel’s emotional arc, while Brenton Wheeler’s Flounder provided a believable sense of loyalty and friendship that grounded Ariel’s journey.
Musical numbers such as “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls” were performed with confidence and enthusiasm, helping to capture both the whimsy and emotional depth of the story. Ensemble numbers, in particular, stood out for their energy and coordination, filling the stage with movement and color.
Additional production elements elevated the overall performance. The set design was especially creative, making effective use of space while seamlessly blending underwater and surface worlds.
Transitions between scenes were smooth, allowing the story to flow naturally and keeping the audience immersed in Ariel’s world. Costuming and staging choices further supported the storytelling, adding visual interest without overwhelming the action on stage.
The pit orchestra, made up of high school music students and area musicians, provided a strong musical foundation throughout the production, enhancing each scene and supporting the performers with a polished and cohesive sound.
Overall, Bryan High School’s performance of The Little Mermaid reflected the dedication and collaboration of its cast, crew, and directors.
The production highlighted not only strong individual performances but also the teamwork required to bring a musical of this scale to life. Congratulations to the cast and crew on a successful run.
