Be a Part of Our School Play!
Ira B. Jones Elementary is proud to present our 22nd musical production, The Little Mermaid JR., directed by Heather Gallagher of the Asheville Performing Arts Academy, with music direction by Jenni Park. Performances will be held on March 27-29, 2025. Important information for participant families follows.
Quick Links
Performance Week Volunteer Signup
Rehearsal Schedule
Cast List & Performance Assignments
Rehearsal Volunteer Sign-Up (Grades 3-5)
Rehearsal Volunteer Sign-Up (Grades K-2)
The Little Mermaid JR. Script (PDF)
Rehearsal Videos for Practice at Home
Musical Numbers (“Which songs do I sing?”)
Soundtrack with Lyrics for Practice at Home
Audio Tracks (With & Without Guide Vocals) for Practice at Home
Acting Tips for Kids (PDF)
Show Contract
Performances
Thursday, March 27, at 9:30 am for Jones students, teachers, and staff (Cast 1).
Friday, March 28, at 9:30 am for students of other local schools (Cast 2).
Friday, March 28, at 6:30 pm for Jones families, friends, and broader community (Cast 1).
Saturday, March 29 at 4 pm for Jones families, friends, and broader community (Cast 2).
Review the cast list for information about performance assignments for students with double-cast roles. All other cast, ensemble, and chorus members perform in all four shows.
All actors (including those in double-cast roles) and crew are expected to be present for all four shows. Students in double-cast roles should plan to help with setup and then sit in the audience for their “off” performances.
PRODUCTION Updates
Please bookmark this website and watch your email inbox for regular updates. Be sure to mark ibjmusical@gmail.com as a safe sender to ensure play-related messages reach you. You can also check the Rehearsal Schedule for up-to-date information on which days your student should attend and what they will be working on.
Parent Volunteers
Our annual school musical is a beloved IBJ tradition, and an enormous endeavor each year – parent volunteers are needed throughout the process (no theater experience required)! You can sign up to help at rehearsals with students in grades 3-5 or (beginning February 6) grades K-2, or email us to let us know about other skills, time, or resources you have to offer. We appreciate your support!
CHORUS MEMBERS (All K-2 STUDENTS)
Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade students are our chorus members, singing large musical numbers with a group. They can look forward to auditioning for cast roles when they reach 3rd grade! K-2 students will join rehearsals on Thursdays from 2:35-4 pm, beginning February 6.
K-2 students can practice at home by singing along with Ms. Park: Fathoms Below, Under the Sea, Kiss the Girl, and Part of Your World (Finale).
CAST Members (GRADES 3-5 ONLY)
Grades 3-5 rehearsals are on Thursdays from 2:35-4 pm. Additional rehearsals for select roles only (small group of leads and occasionally grades 3-5 ensemble members, varying each week) are held on Tuesdays from 2:35-4 pm.
Please review our Rehearsal Schedule at the beginning of each week to learn what the cast will be working on and whether your student should attend rehearsal on Tuesday in addition to Thursday.
STAGE CREW (GRADES 4-5 ONLY)
This group works with Set and Prop Designer Rachel Gordon to create sets and props, and to assist with set management and scene changes during performances. They meet weekly on Tuesdays from 2:35-4 pm, unless otherwise specified on the Rehearsal Schedule.
TRANSPORTATION
Students must be picked up from the car line in front of the school on time at 4 pm. Transportation is not provided.
AFTERCARE
In need of aftercare on Thursdays? Be sure to check out Jones’ Growing Minds Afterschool Program. Cast and chorus members may sign up for a Growing Minds club on Thursdays from 4-5 pm, extending their post-rehearsal pickup time to 5 pm. Spring Session 1 runs from February 3 through March 20 (seven weeks, ending the week before our performance dates).
Behavioral Expectations
Students must follow CUBS behavioral expectations at all times, and may face consequences up to and including removal from the play if they do not meet those expectations. Please carefully read the Show Contract for details.
Registration Fee
The fee to participate is $125 per performing student in grades 3-5, $60 per student in grades K-2, and $60 for stage crew members, with a maximum of $175 per family. Scholarships are available upon request through your registration form, and fees are waived for the children of Jones Elementary staff members. All interested students are encouraged to participate, regardless of ability to pay!
Payment is due by Friday, November 22. We are offering a payment plan for families who would like to split the fee into two payments of $62.50 (for those who owe $125 total) or two payments of $87.50 (for those who owe $175 total). If this is your preference, please submit your first payment by Friday, November 22. Payment 2 will be due on Thursday, December 19.
Payment Options
Send a check to school with your student. You may pay for multiple students with a single check. Please make checks out to “Ira B. Jones PTO,” and note “The Little Mermaid” and your child(ren)’s full name(s) in the memo. Submit directly to the front office or in your child’s class folder.
Pay online via PayPal or credit card. Add $5 per transaction to your total fee, for online payment processing. You may pay for multiple students with a single transaction. Please note “The Little Mermaid” and your child(ren)’s full name(s) in the “Add a note to your donation” field that appears at the end of the payment process, just before you click “Donate Now.”
Pay @irabjonesFTO (listed under “Charities”) on Venmo. Add $5 per transaction to your total fee, for online payment processing. You may pay for multiple students with a single transaction. Please note “The Little Mermaid” and your child(ren)’s full name(s) in the Venmo payment notes.
