Theatre Teacher's Contribution to Upcoming Spring Musical

By: Alexia Latourett

April 3, 2024

Clare Gillespie takes Colgan Theater under the sea for Colgan’s upcoming spring musical “The Little Mermaid.” While directing this production Gillespie is working to create a fantasy not only for the audience, but for all the students involved. 

At Colgan, Gillespie has been involved in many plays and musicals, like “A Piece of My Heart” at the beginning of the year, and “Chicago”, “Our Town”, “Trap”, and others in past years. 

Gillespie said this year's Spring musical choice was decided between a few different options like Legally Blonde, Matilda and The Little Mermaid. She said she ultimately chose The Little Mermaid because she wants her actors to be exposed to a variety of productions. 

“Each one comes with their different stylistic challenges," Gillespie said. Gillespie describes The Little Mermaid as a collaborative play, where everyone has a role. She said she strives to create an environment that is inclusive unlike her experience with theater in high school. 

"They (the theater program) were big jerks when I walked in, and super elitist, and I was like alright I don't feel comfortable or safe here.” Gilespie said. Because of this she wants her students to have a safe place to learn and provides different opportunities for them to do so. 

Colgan theater program has never done a Disney play, so Gillispie said the preparation is all trial and error. She said she has brought in a choreographer and even puppeteer from New York to help prepare the actors and crew. 

Gillespie expressed how the biggest obstacle in the musical has been the puppets, but if they can get them to work, they will completely elevate the show.

“Figuring out how to incorporate the puppetry without it being bad. Because if we do this poorly it’ll look really bad, but if we do it well, it will be unreal good,” Gillespie said. Colgan theater has never done puppets before, so Gilespie said both her and the students are learning as they go Gilespie said this is her spin on the little mermaid, and the puppets make it unique. 

Gillespie also said she is making the musical “less Disney” by creating a scene difference between Ariels happy, shiny world and Ursala’s dark, trash world. She said she is adding artistic value to the story to enhance each character while keeping it easy to follow, especially for the kids. 

Gillespie is creating an imaginary world on the stage, while using the concept of joy is found in anything around you.

“A lot of the props are going to be made from or enhanced by recyclable and reusable materials,” Gillespie said. She said the mermaids' tails would be out of recycled spoons painted to act as scales. 

Gillespie is noticeably big on teamwork, and she is incorporating that into this musical. 

“She has taught me how to work as a team,” Theater tech student Skylar Sneed 24’ said, “She’s very set in what she wants but not scared of change.” 

Sneed plays Ursula in the musical, and explained how her character has many tentacles, each controlled by a different student. They need to learn to work together if they want the production to look cohesive.

Gilespie said while directing she wants to teach the group and offer them perspective. Then as the production date gets closer, she will start to step back and let the students collectively work together and take over. She described her role as building the engine of the car, then pushing others to drive.

Gilespie has made a significant impact on her students and the theater program. This musical has many firsts for Colgan, so Gilespie will continue to work to pull it all together.