First year Redwood performer, Ava Dodson, ‘28, lands a lead role in this year’s musical ‘The Little Mermaid’ as Flounder. She shares insight on her character as well as her theater history.
By: Mallory Byl
From age 7, Ava Dodson, ‘28, has been involved in musical theatre. In her freshman year, she’s cast as Flounder in ‘The Little Mermaid’. Dodson plays a fish that is the best friend of the main character, Ariel, in the show.
Dodson says, “Founder is Ariel’s best friend. He follows her 24/7. He has a little crush on her so when he finds out that Ariel is in love with a human he gets upset. But he’s always gonna be there for Ariel.”
As a character, Flounder is, “scared all the time but he’s always up to doing anything with Ariel.”
Dodson is trying to play the character in a very hyperactive, bubbly way, and she says she is using lots of facial expressions to channel Flounder’s character.
She says that she’s close to fully embodying Flounder, but that she can improve her performance. Dodson feels like she can “go a lot farther” into Flounder’s character.
“It’s kind of hard for me right now to get all of the elements that Flounder has.”
Dodson says she’s able to relate to her character. She says, “Everybody tells me that they think I got Flounder because we’re very similar. Flounder is very bubbly and everybody that talks to me, they’re like, ‘You’re so much like Flounder. You’re so bubbly.’”
Dodson has been involved in musical theatre much of her life, and intends to pursue a career in theatre. She sees her role in this musical as a chance to get lead roles in future musicals in high school, because she says “the directors know how I act.”
“I’ve been doing theatre for my whole life, it’s what I want to pursue in college, and I actually started my acting career in TV shows and commercials from theatre. Theatre has helped me out a lot and so I’m excited for what the future holds for me.”
Redwood theater presents ‘The Little Mermaid’: The Musical at the LJ Williams theater on January 23, 24, and 25 at 7 PM, as well as a matinee show on January 25th at 2 PM. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for general admission. They can be bought here.
Mallory Byl
Mallory Byl '25. Journalism 2. Arts & Entertainment.
Tags: arts, arts and entertainment, drama, drama show, musical, rangers, Redwood, redwood drama, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, redwood the little mermaid, rhs, rhs drama, rhs the little mermaid, show, visalia ca
