Baldwin Times

Through their kids’ involvement in sports and theater, the Robertson family has found Orange Beach to be “very welcoming” since moving to the area a little more than a year ago. Several members of the family will soon be involved with the Expect Excellence Community Theatre’s  presentation of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” at the Orange Beach Performing Arts Center on Feb. 2-5. 

Samatha, (Sam) has performed previously at the P.A.C. in a student production of “Frozen Jr.” and with the E.E.C.T. in “A Touch of Magic - A Disney Musical Showcase” last year.

An eighth-grader at Orange Beach Middle School, Sam attended auditions for “The Little Mermaid” in September. Her mother, Jennifer, drove her, and watched the auditions and dance call while she waited. Jennifer was encouraged to also try a couple of routines, as well.

Sam is starring as a Princess, Sailor, and member of the ensemble. She is also taking voice lessons through the Expect Excellence After School Program. 

Her father, Charles, said she can “always be heard singing around the house either for a play or some of her music for church.” 

But, the real surprise came when the cast list was announced and Jennifer was also listed to perform. 

“Did they really put me in there,” was her response to her husband telling her the news. Jennifer does have previous dance training from her high school days, “but it’s the singing that’s harder for me. They have been very encouraging. I’ve really enjoyed it so far,” she said.

Both of them will dance as Sailors and Fish, and both will act as Maids to attend Ariel, shortly after she transforms from a mermaid to a human.

Even though it was unexpected, Jennifer and Sam are pleased to be performing together. “Sam said she is really excited to be doing this with me, and I think it will be a lot of fun for both of us,” Jennifer said.

In addition, Charles, and Kaitlynn (Sam’s older sister) have agreed to volunteer as members of the backstage crew for “The Little Mermaid”, helping the stage manager move set pieces, backdrops and furniture on and off the stage.

“We’ll be there for the grunt work,” he said. 

Both Sam and her older sister, Kaitlynn, also play on the Orange Beach High School softball team. Sam is the junior varsity catcher and Kaitlynn is the varsity pitcher and first baseman.

Kaitlynn, 15, was part of the 2A State Champion Orange Beach Makos softball team last year (the team’s second in a row) and also participates in travel ball

The girls are following in the sports footsteps of their older siblings, Michael, who wrestled, and Karolyn, who played softball.

Both girls also go to private hitting and pitching practice sessions throughout the year. Sam is currently attempting to add pitching to her softball skills, according to her parents. All of the theater rehearsals and softball practices definitely add up to a very busy schedule for the Robertson household. 

To keep it all straight, Charles said they “have a definite schedule and keep it updated on a dry erase board at home.”

The Robertsons said friends have also been willing to step in to get the girls where they need to go. 

“We’ve been really lucky that we have made some friends since we have been here. Visiting, it seems bigger, but now that we live here, we realize it really is more of a small town,” Charles said.

Jennifer agreed.

“They make it a lot easier to get involved here”, versus Arab, AL, where they moved from, she said. “The support the town gives to all the sports and the drama (department) is just top notch. The way they all support the kids is unbelievable. The kids can go (take different classes) and if they fall in love with something, then the path is there for them,” said Charles, pointing to the Expect Excellence program. 

Based on their Orange Beach experiences to this point, “it’s been very welcoming and it feels like we were meant to be here,” Jennifer said.   

“The Little Mermaid” hits the stage Feb. 2-5 at the Orange Beach Performing Arts Center! The performance will be held Feb. 2-4 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for all ages. For each show, the doors will open one hour prior to the performance time. 

Original source can be found here.