I finally caught (pun intended) our Ariel in her Studyhall with me, to answer a few questions about playing the icon role of Ariel in The Little Mermaid. I’d like you all to meet Bella Gabor, a senior here at Homestead. She will be studying theatre in college. Now, the first question I have for you is, how is Ariel like you? Different?
Ariel is very bullheaded, very independent, but at the same time goofy and immature (I relate to all those). Although the script has written her as a more weaker character than I portray I chose to make her a stronger female.
I can attest to the goofiness, I witnessed you and Claire Looker filming yourselves running and jumping into each other last night. Truly ridiculous. Next question, what do you love about Ariel?
I love her curiosity and her fascination with the outside world. I’ve had so much fun exploring her goofy side! I also love her sense of independence and adventure, but I think that she is also very immature. It’s the immaturity that causes her to find trouble.
What’s the biggest challenge about taking on the role of Ariel?
You, Figg, bestowed upon me the task of singing whilst dancing on the aerial silks (this is no easy feat, fight me if you think otherwise), and that’s probably the hardest physical thing I’ve ever had to do, in discovering Ariel as a character I found that I struggled with finding the happy medium between innocent and weak. I didn’t want Ariel to be seen as weak, but she is also very young and naive.
Besides yourself, which actor in this production is going to blow people away?
I meannnnnn I think Scuttle is pretty sick…. And Ursula, and daddy (King Triton), Flotsam, Jetsam, Prince Eric… I could go on. ;))))
If you could play any other character in this show, who would it be?
I would totally play King Triton (Hey daddy)
Can you tell us a story from rehearsals?
I was working with Andrea Burkholder (the aerialist coach), and I was learning one of my many aerial routines. I was practicing a flip into a drop and I happened to fall on my face. It was really cute and fresh and then Andrea just told me to get back up and try again… 🙂
What do you hope the audience will be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?
I hope that the audience will be thinking about the fun they had when they watched the show. This production is so fun, so I hope that they enjoy themselves.
Act Out 