Legendary composer Alan Menken has created some of the most beloved songs and musical scores of our time His unique voice, as a composer, a lyricist and a musical theater dramatist has captured the imaginations of audiences for over 35 years.

Best known as a pivotal creative mind behind the renaissance of Disney animation and his work on The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Beauty and The Beast (which is dedicated to, "Our friend, Howard Ashman, who gave a Mermaid her voice and a Beast his soul...") Ashman's first love was theater. Ashman was a founder of off off Broadway's renowned WPA Theater, where he conceived, wrote and directed God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, as well as the classic musical, Little Shop of Horrors (both music by Alan Menken). In 1986, he wrote and directed the Broadway musical Smile (music by Marvin Hamlisch). Lamented as a lost treasure of the 1980's theater scene, Smile remains popular on High School and College campuses throughout the country. Howard Ashman died in 1991 from complications of AIDS. For more information, please visit howardashman.com.

Glenn Slater (Lyrics) co-created Disney's 2010 worldwide smash Tangled (2011 Grammy Winner, 2010 Oscar and Golden Globe nominee), as well as the Broadway and international hit musicals Sister Act (2011 Tony nominee - Best Score) and The Little Mermaid (2008 Tony nominee - Best Score, Grammy nominee - Best Cast Album), and, most recently School of Rock (2015). With longtime collaborator Alan Menken, he is Executive Producer and Lyricist for the ABC-TV musical comedy series Galavant, and has also written songs for the Disney animated film Home On The Range (2004) and the Broadway musical Leap of Faith (Tony nominee - Best Musical, 2012). In the West End, Glenn provided both book and lyrics for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies (2010 Olivier nominee - Best Musical), the sequel to Phantom of the Opera. Other work includes an Emmy-nominated song for the ABC-TV comedy The Neighbors (2013), and the stage revue Newyorkers at The Manhattan Theatre Club (Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, Outer Cri

GLAAD Media Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Drama League Award and a Lucille Lortel Award for I Am My Own Wife. His screen adaptation of Quills was named Best Picture by the National Board of Review and nominated for three Academy Awards. Doug was cited by the American Academy of Arts and Letters and awarded the Tolerance Prize from the Kulturforum Europa. Currently, he serves on the board of the New York Theatre Workshop and serves as Secretary on the Dramatists Guild Council. Works include: Interrogating the Nude (1988), Quills (1995), Unwrap Your Candy (2001), I Am My Own Wife (2003), Grey Gardens (book) (2006), The Little Mermaid (book) (2007), The Pavilion (2009).

Alumnus of St. Edward’s University (B.F.A., Acting/Directing) in Austin Texas, Nick continues to balance his professional teaching career with his acting career. Nick was last seen in Our Town (the Stage Manager), To Kill A Mockingbird (Atticus Finch), Equus (Martin Dysart), and the world premiere of Born on a Sunday (August Strindberg) written by T.J. Walsh. He worked as a stagehand on the shows Annie Get Your Gun, Carousel, and Cinderella, for Casa Mañana, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum for the Scott Theater, and the Broadway touring show The Phantom of the Opera at Bass Hall. Nick would like to thank the administration and faculty of Eaton High School for their continued support, to Courtney McDonald for all of the hard work put into this production, to the parents of the entire company of The Little Mermaid and, most importantly, to his loving wife and five kids for all of their love and support.

Mrs. McDonald is excited to have worked with the cast and crew of The Little Mermaid. This is her ninth year in the Fine Arts department at NISD and her third year as the Assistant Director of Theatre at Eaton School. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she studied Speech & Communications. She would like to thank the entire cast and crew for all of the work they have put into The Little Mermaid. She would also like to thank the EHS administrators, Mike Blankenship and Nick Kougias for their mentorship, and her husband, Terrell, for his love and support.

Tami graduated from the University of North Texas in 1993 with a BA in Arts. She also attended Kilgore College where she was a member of the World Famous Kilgore Rangerettes. Tami has performed and choreographed numerous parades and award winning dances. Tami is in her 26th year as a dance educator. She is currently teaching dance and directing the Sapphires dance team. Tami has been married for 23 years and together with her husband they have one daughter.

Joel Roberts is currently serving in his second third as director of Choral Activities at Eaton High School. Joel graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in vocal music education in 2005 were he received a full tuition scholarship for music and performance. During his time at LSU he was the recipient of the Baton Rouge Opera Guild scholarship along with performing many roles in both the Musical Theatre and Opera programs. He has 2 children, Jude, 8, and Hope, 5. In his 14 years of teaching, Joel has taught at both Jr. High and High School levels in Louisiana and Texas and has had the privilege to lead many productions throughout his career including “Hairspray”, “Grease”, “King and I” as well as “The Wizard of Oz”, "My Fair Lady" and last years “Peter Pan” Joel would like to thank his colleagues, students and administrators at Eaton High School for helping make the show a success and is looking forward to sharing in the excitement of “The Little Mermaid".

Paul Elder was born and raised in El Paso, TX. Upon graduating high school, Mr. Elder began his studies at the University of Nevada Las Vegas eventually transferring to the University of North Texas where he studied Jazz Performance and Music Education. Mr. Elder returned to the University of North Texas where he earned his Master’s degree in 2001. Mr. Elder currently serves as the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chair for V.R. Eaton High School. The 2019-20 school year marks his 24th year in public education. In addition to his teaching responsibilities Mr. Elder is still an active working musician, . Mr. Elder is a member of The Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and serves as the Region 2 Jazz Coordinator. Mr. Elder is a proud husband to wife Stephanie, and father to Abigail who attends the University of Louisiana at Monroe and Keegan who is a Junior at Eaton High School.

Jenna Henry is enjoying her first year as Assistant Choral Director at Eaton High School! She recently moved to the DFW area from Colorado with her husband, Caleb, who is pursuing a career in film production. Jenna graduated in 2015 from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas with a Bachelor’s of Music Education and Piano Concentration. During her time at JBU, she earned multiple vocal, piano, academic and music department honors, toured with the Cathedral Choir yearly and was assistant director of the Women’s Chorale. Her first four years of teaching were spent in western Colorado, where she ran the Montrose High School choral program and directed musical productions, including Mamma Mia! and Aladdin, Jr. She also enjoys teaching piano lessons in her spare time. Jenna is very thankful to have collaborated with the wonderful Eaton students and staff involved with this production of The Little Mermaid and is looking forward to future productions!

Bailey is the Stage Manager for The Little Mermaid. This is her second time being a stage manager for a main stage show. She has been apart of many crews including sound, props, lighting and set. Bailey is really excited to be taking on this role and would like to thank her parents for supporting her. She would also like to thank her directors Mr. Kougias and Mrs. McDonald for giving her this opportunity.

Anika Kougias is excited to be apart of The Little Mermaid and assistant stage manage her first musical! Anika has been apart of Romeo and Juliet, It’s a Wonderful life, Peter Pan, and Newsies with amazing casts and crews! Anika Kougias would like to thank her directors, cast, crew, and production stage manager got making this show a show of a lifetime.

Carter is extremely excited to student direct his first show here at Eaton High School after being in many shows such as Spelling Bee and Newsies. He is very proud of the cast and crew for the dedication and focus they've put into this process and he'd like to thank Mr. Kougias and Mrs. McDonald for providing this educational opportunity.

Matti is excited to serve Eaton Theatre in her 3rd musical on lighting crew. This summer Matti was the lighting crew head for Disney’s Newsies. Being the lighting mentor has been a new opportunity for Matti and she has been honored to accept the position. Matti would like to thank Alex Kougias and Hallie Fraze for their hard work. She would also like to thank her directors for all they do.

Emma is very hyped to be apart of her third main stage musical. She is thrilled to “dive” into something new with props. Her previous positions would include ASM for Disney’s Newsies and Sound crew head for William Shakespeare the Tragedy of Othello. She would like to thank her directors for giving her so many opportunities.