Akron School of the Arts at Firestone CLC Dives Deep with Modern Reimagining of Disney’s The Little Mermaid

Akron School of the Arts is proud to announce its upcoming production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, running from April 16–19, 2026 in the Linda B. Kersker Auditorium. While the show features the classic songs everyone loves, Director Lisa Henderson is giving this production a unique and modern twist.

This version uses modern dance as a metaphor for the story’s conflict. In the history of dance, modern dance was created as a way to break free from the rigid, strict rules of classical ballet.

In this show, that history mirrors Ariel’s own life. While King Triton represents the "ballet"—strict tradition and following the rules—Ariel’s movement represents "modern dance"—freedom, emotion, and breaking the mold.

"We wanted to show Ariel’s struggle physically," says Director Lisa Henderson. "By using modern dance, the ensemble shows the tension between staying in line and the desperate need to find one's own voice. It’s a literal rebellion through movement."

Performance Schedule

• Thursday, April 16 – 7:30 PM
• Friday, April 17 – 7:30 PM
• Saturday, April 18 – 7:30 PM
• Sunday, April 19 – 2:30 PM (Matinee)

Ticket Information

Tickets can be purchased online at hometowntickets.com or at the Firestone CLC Box Office. Tickets are $10 for adults. Students are $5.

---

About Akron School of the Arts: The Akron School of the Arts is a premier arts education program dedicated to nurturing young talent in a variety of artistic disciplines, including theatre, music, dance, and visual arts