For the first time in the history of the middle school theatre program at JPII, students stepped into the spotlight for an evening performance of a musical production. This spring, the middle school cast of The Little Mermaid Jr. transformed the stage into an underwater world filled with music, color, and confidence, while also marking an exciting new chapter for the school’s performing arts program.

Leading the production was new Middle School Theatre Teacher Caitlin Del Casino, whose passion for theatre, dance, and student development helped bring the ambitious production to life.

Del Casino arrived at JPII with extensive experience in the local theatre community. A lifelong performer who grew up participating in theatre productions at University School of Nashville, she later focused heavily on dance while continuing to choreograph and direct productions for theatre groups and middle schools throughout the area. She previously served as assistant dance teacher at USN for six years, directed the HPAC Youth Enrichment program, and recently co-founded the Sumner County Theatre Company, which offers year-round theatre programming for students in grades three through high school.

At JPII, she also serves as middle school head dance coach, assistant high school dance coach, and will teach middle school dance fine arts classes next year.

From the very beginning of the school year, Del Casino said students expressed one clear hope: they wanted to perform at night.

“The students from the beginning of the year wanted an evening production,” she said. “They really wanted the full theatre experience.”

In response, Del Casino expanded participation opportunities by opening the production to all middle school students, including sixth graders, and encouraging involvement from students across multiple fine arts disciplines. The result was a production that united students with a shared sense of purpose and excitement.

“The students were really excited and nervous,” she said. “It became something they could rally around together.”
That excitement quickly turned into growth. Throughout rehearsals and performances, Del Casino watched students develop maturity, accountability, leadership, and confidence both on and off the stage.

“They felt ownership,” she explained. “The best moment for me was the day after the first performance when they were talking about the audience’s reaction. They were so proud of themselves.”

Audience members were equally impressed, many seeing students perform in ways they never had before.

“People were surprised to see them singing and performing with that level of confidence,” Del Casino said.
One of the most unique and impactful aspects of the production was the collaboration between middle and high school students. Del Casino credits the success of the show in large part to the support of high school theatre students and Mr. Campbell’s stagecraft class.

High school students took ownership of major production elements, from building set pieces and organizing costumes to running technical elements backstage. Amara Campbell designed the lighting, while Gabe Nardone served as stage manager. Students involved in the high school production of School House Rock also volunteered as stagehands and helped with hair and makeup, including Emma O'Leary, Carra Smits, and Anne Dyer.

“It was truly one of the most professional elements of the production,” Del Casino said. “The high school students became role models for the middle school students.”

The partnership created an environment where younger students learned not only performance skills, but also how to respect the theatre environment, work collaboratively, and take responsibility for a production.

“It was a great way for them to learn the craft,” she said. “Everybody grew from those relationships.”

For Del Casino, some of the most memorable moments came from watching students take courageous risks on stage. Several performers had never participated in a production before or sung solos publicly.

Students like Martha Powers and Emma Roek stepped into leading roles and solo performances for the very first time.

“That can be extremely daunting at that age,” Del Casino said. “But they rose to the occasion and really committed themselves to performing the show the way it was meant to be performed.”

She challenged the cast not simply to perform for family members, but to truly surprise the audience with their talent and commitment.

“You have to be bold,” she recalled telling them. “You are the first group.”

That encouragement helped many students discover confidence they did not know they possessed. Students with prior performance experience, including PJ Childress, Conor Maher, Ellanie Maher, and Ginny Shaw, modeled courage and stage presence for newer performers, helping create a culture where students felt safe taking risks.

By the final curtain call, the production had accomplished far more than a successful performance. It gave middle school students the opportunity to discover their voices, support one another, and experience the joy and discipline of live theatre in an entirely new way.

VISIT THE PHOTO GALLERY TO SEE THE LITTLE MERMAID JR. PHOTOS.