Surprise charter school brings mermaids to life

The amount of excitement and enthusiasm the students have expressed over the past few weeks is phenomenal.”

What: The Little Mermaid Jr.

When: 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 14

Where: Arizona Charter Academy, 16025 N. Dysart Road

Tickets: $5 online, $6 at the door

Information: azcharter.com/littlemermaid

Students in Arizona Charter Academy’s musical theater summer camp will take to the stage to perform “The Little Mermaid Jr.” at 12:30 and 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 14.

The shows will take place at Arizona Charter Academy, 16025 N. Dysart Road.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the 5:30 p.m. performance. Tickets are now available for $5 online or $6 at the door. To purchase tickets visit azcharter.com/littlemermaid.

The performances will not only be the grand finale to the 10-day intensive musical theater summer camp, which runs through June 14.

As Sharesa Uher, the K-8 general music teacher and 5-8 theater elective teacher at ACA noted, the shows will also celebrate the greatly anticipated return of the popular camp, after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The amount of excitement and enthusiasm the students have expressed over the past few weeks is phenomenal,” Uher said, adding that she is directing the summer camp, along with the help of assistant director and first grade teacher Kate Mitchell.

Around 30 students, ranging from incoming fifth graders to incoming eighth graders, will take part in the camp. To accommodate the large group, and showcase the student talent at the school, Uher decided to have two casts for the show.

“We also have a Crew Club, where students Bryson and Parker Miller will lead a team of students and volunteers in creating the set and orchestrating set changes,” Uher said.

“Our camp will be a summer intensive program, which means we are learning the entire show in two weeks.”

Students will rehearse from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays, culminating with the two performances on June 14.

Even though the camp has not officially begun, Uher said the students have already met to read the script as a group and sing through some of the music.

“I saw this as an opportunity to get the actors off on the right foot in terms of practice at home,” Uher said.

“Most of the students have never been on stage, but there are a few who have had a small introduction to theater. I am really excited to show students that they can create magic while telling a story on stage by working together.”

Uher said she is excited to watch students develop their characters on stage and grow their confidence delivering their lines in front of others.

“I am also looking forward to seeing students form connections across grade levels and become friends,” she said.

“Theater is truly an inclusive environment, and the development of social skills is one of the many benefits of children’s theater. Theater also teaches students to have empathy for others on stage and off stage. Social and emotional learning is something that we truly focus on at ACA, so Kate and I are happy to help develop these skills through our program.”

Melissa Montenegro, director of talent and PR at ACA, agrees that the musical summer theater camp is about much more than singing, dancing and acting.

“It’s about igniting passion, fostering creativity, and empowering our students to explore new horizons with confidence,” Montenegro said. “Through the transformative power of the performing arts, we’re dedicated to shaping our students’ young minds as well as nurturing their talents.”