Okay, so this is an exciting time, right?

Because you're standing next to a mermaid.

Because that's getting us a mermaid.

Yes, I am.

But, Craig, you and I go way back now.

You know, I was actually thinking about that this morning, and it's been, like, for years.

I have encouraged you to audition to become a part of this.

And you've always been like Blah blah blah And now you're here doing it.

I am so I'm so happy doing my first production with you.

Yes.

I'm so excited to be here.

Even more excited.

I have two of my kids, one joining me today.

Are going to be on stage with us, so we're making it a family production.

And so many people do that here at Premiere Arts.

They do.

But you know what?

I've thought through this process is rehearsal process.

That it feels like you've been here forever.

Right.

Yeah.

Because I feel like I'm always on stage with you.

Right?

I love it, I'm so happy.

Yeah.

And the fact that you get to do with your girls is like something you'll remember forever.

And it's so sweet.

Absolutely.

Now, you've been to see some of my shows when I used to do it.

Oh, yeah.

Way back in the day.

I've been off the stage for 15 years now, I think.

Oh, my God, this is my.

You were like, on the stage in the womb or something, right?

Yes.

Yeah.

So tell me, from your experience, Alivia, what is it like to be participating as a family here on the stage?

It feels very special because I feel more connected with my family.

And it's also a good experience to be doing something new with someone who is already experienced in it.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Because this is like your first.

I mean, you did some stuff in elementary school, but this is your first time on a bigger stage.

I guess.

I didn't know that part.

Yeah, because the other daughter is more into the theater.

Is she?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Now.

Okay.

Sophie.

Who's playing Ariel?

You want me to call you Ariel today?

I mean, I'm dressed.

I mean, it was a dead giveaway, right?

Yeah.

Yeah.

This is your time or your first time here as well?

Yes.

This is my first time performing in Indiana in general.

Oh, yeah.

Oh my gosh.

Her debut Indiana debut in Premiere arts.

I'm very excited and I'm very excited.

And grateful to be able to be making my debut as Ariel.

Okay, so obviously we're doing The Little Mermaid.

I don't know if we started right or not.

The Little Mermaid is happening, and I love that.

What you guys do here is you have, you know, two separate casts, the main stage.

Kathryn.

Do you want to talk about that?

Because, I mean, these are big casts.

Yeah they are.

We'll have over 150 local people, people in the Lerner stage, for the summer with the Little Mermaid.

And it is a little different model than other community theaters.

It's a lot more work.

Yeah.

Right.

So we have that all youth production, and we have the main stage production, which includes children as well.

But, you know, as a kid growing up in the theater, if I was lucky enough to get cast in a main stage show at the Civic Theater, where I grew up in Muncie, it was usually in the ensemble or the forest.

I didn't get a role.

You know, maybe I had one line.

You know, I think I was like.

And the music man, I was in the Wells Fargo wagon, you know, like.

And a double boiler, you know.

And so that these kids actually get to be in a show and play a role, and then the, you know, the concept of, like, a little a little mermaid and a littler mermaid, you know, and two people getting that opportunity, I think is really cool.

And what we're doing is, of course, you know, raising that next generation of theater lovers, theater participants.

You know, and just giving them an arts appreciation that really kind of squeezes this way in all of their lives.

Absolutely.

You know, so many different ways that you can utilize your skills that you learn up on the stage.

Right?

And I love that you said, you know, 150 people are part of this.

And the talent is just phenomenal.

Yeah.

Okay, Sophie, tell me, what is her background?

So I have two years, half of my BFA in musical theater.

I used to study at University the Arts in Philadelphia.

I'm out here taking a gap year, and I hope to continue my education in the fall at Cal Arts.

I've been performing since I was very young, and I did live in an area where I was able to have opportunities like the youth cast in Premiere Arts and yeah, to second what you said, that was such a great experience because I got to fall in love with theater and have that training from such a young age.

And yeah, I think it's really wonderful that the kids have a space here to do the same thing.

I love that.

Okay, now I have to ask you, Alivia.

What is it been like to do to be in the rehearsal space?

Oh it's amazing.

I feel like everyone is so friendly and, like, I've already made so many friends.

Everyone is so supportive, and they're so helpful.

Like, it's just a very supportive space.

Yeah.

It is.

It is.

It absolutely is.

And I've been here.

I know you were talking a little bit earlier to what we love as our family is when we leave here, we then go play the tracks and then we sing them all the way home, or we're running lines together.

So it becomes like a family atmosphere, and that's what it is.

Even if you don't participate with your family, but when you are on stage, when you participate in the performing arts, you become family.

Right.

You know, Premiere Arts is 17 years old, and we've got people in, in The Little Mermaid that have basically been here for 17 years, like from the very beginning.

But then yet new people come into the fold every time.

And I won't say that it's strategic, but it's a little strategic.

You know, I really look to cast new people because we want to keep growing that, you know, that sphere of influence.

And, you know, you bring a whole wealth of people who've never come to Premiere arts, who will be introduced to our organization, but also this gorgeous theater that's celebrating its 100th anniversary.

And, you're so lucky to have it and so lucky to have, you know, all of the components and the pieces and the parts that make it a true community.

Like, I think, like you're talking about, you know, it's so cool.

You know, you come in strangers and you leave like family.

It's really a neat thing.

I love it, and now you guys are practicing right here in this space.

We're down in the where the magic happens.

It is right.

I know we just kind of walked by the stage upstairs on our way in here.

And the stage.

Once you get up on that, I mean, for here, we don't get up on the stage until tech week, right?

So, I mean, things happen.

Are you excited to head upstairs?

I'm so excited.

It's a bigger stage.

Right.

And how many people can fit in the audience?

1700 1700.

And I'm hoping that there's still tickets available, but, I mean, hardly ever, cause there are always tickets available.

And, you know, this is a wonderful opportunity for whole families.

You know, Disney's Little Mermaid, you don't have to think twice about is it appropriate for everybody?

You can bring grandma and great grandma and all the kids and just have a really great time.

And the show is, you know, so familiar to us, because, you know, everyone's watched the movie, and then it clips along and it keeps your interest.

And so even little ones, I think, can, can really navigate their way through it with no issues.

And so it really is something for the whole family.

I love that.

I know we have our families coming out.

I'm sure you guys have family coming out too.

What are you most excited about sharing or how how do they see you as area?

Like what?

Are you excited to be up on the stage and and be perceived as?

Oh.

I have always really resonated with the character of Ariel.

Okay, because I love mermaid since I was a kid.

And then also, I think that she is often seen as, you know, Disney princess and kind of just put into this box.

But I think that her journey shows that she has a lot of fight.

She has like a lot of things that she overcomes, and she is strong willed and she really works to get what she wants.

And I want to bring that side of her to fruition on stage.

I want to show her passion and her fight and yeah, I want people to.

You know, it's really cool thing when you have a true theater student, like a student of the theater, doing a role like this, because on its surface, it could be very surface, right?

Just like, oh, I'm a pretty princess and I'm going to get a boy and I'm going to, you know, whatever.

But Ariel grapples with a lot of growing up in this show and dealing with a lot of things, and choices have to be made, and she's constantly discovering things or not.

Right.

And it's for some actresses who just kind of float through it.

But it's it's still palatable and.

Okay, I love her because she's giving it a little more.

And so we're asking all of the cast to do is to rise up to that and like, give it a little deeper meaning.

Isn't that what we love about Disney is there's like two layers of everything, like the kids get this, but the adults get this, and it's always deeper and always more meaningful.

And, you know, this, this woman, this mermaid who is never felt right in her skin, becoming her true self and exploring that and discovering that.

I mean, I think it's a really oddly relevant thing for today.

All I know is it is.

I know for you as a sister, you're one of the sisters.

Yes.

Which one are you?

Arista.

Okay, so.

And you're kind of a sassy sister in this, but also a sassy sister at home.

Typecasting.

Where can people see the show?

Yeah.

When is the show?

Soon.

It is, it is.

It opens tomorrow.

It's okay for July 18th, 19th and 20th.

And so it's gonna.

Yeah, it's.

My goodness, it's hard to believe the summer's almost over.

But it wouldn't dare end without you coming to see The Little Mermaid.

So you guys got to make sure you get your tickets.

And we will see you here up on stage.

You'll see me.

I'm playing the part of Grimsby.

Right.

Who is Prince Eric's guardian, if you will.

You really clearly in charge?

Yeah.

Okay.

Right.

I mean, let's take that.

Yeah, you could take that to the bank.

All right.

We'll see you up here on the scene and break a leg.