UNDER THE SEA: L.J. SCHULTZ & THE LITTLE MERMAID

Under the sea in the L.J. Schultz School library seventh-grade students are presenting their version of the popular Disney musical, "The Little Mermaid."

The performance is the first for a newly-formed drama club at the middle school. Students presented "The Little Mermaid" Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and will perform the musical today for their schoolmates.

Mike Dumey, choir director at the school, directed the play. He also directs the school's select choir and is adviser to the new drama club at Schultz.

"The exciting thing about the drama club is that it was student-initiated," Dumey said. "Students approached me about advising a drama club."

Last year a pop concert was held in the spring. "This year, with the drama club, a musical seemed like a natural," Dumey said.

While the select choir and drama club sponsored the play, it was open to any student in the school.

Auditions were held in late March. After the play was cast students began rehearsing three and four days a week after school.

"We practiced every day including Fridays," said Laura Sides, who portrays Ariel, the little mermaid.

Dumey said, "I was very impressed with the commitment shown by these students.

"I was also impressed by how quickly they learned. And they learned comic timing, which is really an advanced skill.

"I love working with these kids. They have a lot of creativity and a lot of enthusiasm," Dumey said. "Hopefully we are breeding something at an early age they can use later on.

"I would certainly like to see this become an annual event, but a lot will depend on the students next year, if they are interested like these students were."

Adam Davis portrays Sebastian, the composer crab. He said, "I really liked the movie and I like acting. I liked his part."

Davis' previous acting experience was as a wicked stepsister in last year's Alma Schrader production of Cinderella.

The musical includes solo performances and songs by the chorus. "I wanted to sing," said Sides. "That's the reason I tried out."

Elizabeth Green, who portrays Ursula, the sea witch, added, "I thought it was fun."

Davis said, "It was hot and I was nervous, but once I started saying my lines, I wasn't nervous any more."

The students had high praise for each other. Green said Davis' performance was "hilarious." She said Sides "did an excellent job."

Brooke Hendricks, who serves on the crew, added, "I think everyone did an excellent job."

Their teacher agreed.

"This was successful far beyond my expectations," Dumey said. "Tuesday night they received a well-deserved standing ovation.

"And the best thing," he said, "is that these children feel so good about themselves."