“The Little Mermaid” Draws Large Cast and Crew, Strong Community Response

Cretin-Derham Hall Theater’s production of The Little Mermaid, which ran from May 1–10, brought together more than 100 students in one of the largest CDH stage productions in recent history. The musical featured cast, stage crew, and pit orchestra members working together across all grade levels, with many students participating in theater for the first time.

According to Theater Director Cullen Wiley ‘16, the show marked the close of the 2025–2026 theater season and included two fully sold-out performances, with several others nearly at capacity. In total, more than 100 students were involved in the production, including 41 graduating seniors.

Wiley noted that the scale of the production reflected both strong student involvement and sustained growth in the program. He also highlighted that the show received multiple honors from Spotlight Education by Hennepin Arts, including Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role for Natalia Wallace '27 as Ursula, and Outstanding in Technical Leadership awards for Josie Dahlheimer (assistant director) and Isa Langer (stage manager). Additional recognitions included Honorable Mentions for Ellie Nelson '27 as Ariel, Ja’Dale Thompson '26 as Prince Eric, Olivia Hoff '26 as Flounder, and Maggie Hughes '26 for her work as sound board operator. Several of these students will be featured at the Spotlight Showcase on June 8 at the State Theatre.

Student Reflections

Across the cast and crew, students described the production as both demanding and rewarding, emphasizing the strong sense of community built throughout the process. Below are summaries of a few cast members’ reflections:

Natalia Wallace ‘27 (Ursula)
Described the experience as both challenging and memorable, noting that stepping into the role pushed her outside her comfort zone. She highlighted the strong connection formed among cast members and credited the ensemble’s energy and collaboration between cast, crew, and orchestra as essential to the production’s success.

Olivia Hoff ‘26 (Flounder)
Reflected on the production as one of the most meaningful theater experiences of her time at CDH. She emphasized ensemble strength and praised production elements such as costumes and choreography, especially during large group numbers.

Cali Weckman ‘26 (Alana)
Highlighted the welcoming environment and the opportunity for new students to join theater. She pointed to costumes, lighting, and sound as key contributors to the show’s impact and noted ensemble numbers like the “If Only Quartet” as standout moments.

Elizabeth Nelson ‘27 (Ariel)
Described the show as one of the most rewarding experiences of her high school career. She emphasized community across grade levels and reflected on strong audience engagement and emotional ensemble moments such as “Under the Sea.”

Sage Skally ‘26 (Scuttle)
Noted the rehearsal process as challenging but well-supported, emphasizing the dedication required to master choreography and music. She credited ensemble energy and shared pride in the collective effort behind the production.