illustration by Nori Hilton
Mergirl Saves
the Waves
Mergirl Saves The Waves is a feminist, environmentalist, slightly futuristic, funny re-imagining of Andersen's classic The Little Mermaid. When mergirl Pisces Doris, mostly known as Pi, rescues a human boy from their shared polluted ocean, she not only makes a friend, but also learns what it means to use your voice to make a difference. With three original songs. For youth actors or a multi-generational cast from 10-25+ performers.
75 minutes
Characters
The Merpeople
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Pi, full name Pisces Doris, usually called Little Pi – the third and youngest daughter of King Nereus. She’s 14.
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Samundra, sometimes Sam – Little Pi’s oldest sister. She’s 18.
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Belisama, sometimes Bel – Little Pi’s middle sister. She’s 16.
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Grandma Galene – Little Pi’s grandmother, King Nereus’s mother
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King Nereus – ruler of the great oceans and Little Pi’s father
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Sirena – Little Pi’s mother, who died when Pi was a baby
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Great Aunt Arnapkap – Grandma Galene’s older sister, who the kids sometimes call the Sea Witch
The Humans
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Prince Prince – a quiet boy who loves music, baking, and wants to stop ocean pollution. He's 14.
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King – Prince’s father and co-ruler of the human lands
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Queen – Prince’s mother and co-ruler of the human lands
Doubling options: Grandma Galene/Arnapkap; King Nereus/King; Sirena/Queen
The Sea Sprites/Narrators
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A chorus of actors who help narrate, activate the story, and step into various characters as needed. They will be sea creatures at a party, Pi’s friends at school, the wind and waves of the storm, back-up singers, Prince’s body guards, the Doctor, Arnapkap’s grabby helpers, etc.
Production & Development History
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Two-week new play development workshop with middle-school students at Portland Stage's Theater for Kids, July 2018
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Month-long development workshop with A Company of Girls, Portland, ME, February 2020
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Live-stream reading, JCompany, San Diego, CA April 2020