We are excited to share some wonderful news about our continued collaboration between our middle and high school performing arts programs. This fall, we invite you to be Part of Our World and travel Under the Sea with us as we embark on another joint musical adventure in Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. coming to Newberry High School’s Stage, November 2026!
This year, we are expanding our reach by opening the production to all middle and high school students, with the goal of recruiting and inspiring greater student involvement in our performing arts programs. We are also encouraging rising 6th graders to audition, and we warmly welcome students with special abilities to be a part of this inclusive and supportive experience. Theatre is for everyone and we would love to reflect that on our stage and in our community.
This production will serve as part of our ongoing fundraising initiative for new risers. Last fall, we raised $4,460 and have set a lofty goal of $10,000 to close the remaining financial gap and secure the purchase of new risers. These risers will be shared within the district between our middle and high school programs. A set will be stored at MCHS and the other at NHS but can be used by any school and combined to meet program needs.
We are intentionally designing this production to be a mentorship experience, where students can explore and develop skills in various areas of theatre—onstage and behind the scenes—preparing them for future productions and even career opportunities.
Additionally, we are planning monthly community outreach efforts in Newberry, Prosperity, and Whitmire to build excitement, increase visibility, and foster community engagement.
To provide equal opportunity for all students, we will be hosting auditions at multiple locations on the following dates and times beginning at 4 PM and ending at 6 PM:
May 4 – Newberry Middle School
May 5 – Mid-Carolina Middle School
May 6 – Whitmire Community School (4:30-6:30 PM)
May 7 – Newberry High School
Students are welcome to attend any audition date at any of these locations, choosing whichever time and site works best for their schedule.
As we move forward, we are proud to adopt the name “One Stage,” reflecting our commitment to unity and aligning with our district vision. Above all, we aim to cultivate citizenship, kindness, and collaboration, ensuring that every student feels valued and supported.
We are incredibly excited about the opportunities this production will provide for our students and our schools. Thank you for your continued support of the arts and for helping us make this experience impactful and memorable.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to be more involved in this initiative. If there is any additional information you may need or logistics we should consider on our end to help ensure this runs as smoothly as possible across all schools involved, please let us know!
With appreciation,
The One Stage Production Team (aka the Fantastic Four)
Hannah Collins-Artistic Director
Chandler Watson-Assistant Director & Media Specialist
Kristin Caughman-Public Relations & Sponsorships-Tech Lead
Gwen Strobel-Costume Designer and Props Mistress
A special shoutout to our Whitmire contact, Mrs. Abigail Crosby
