The annual Taipei American School (TAS) Upper School dance production took a deep dive under the sea with an enchanting performance of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” offering an artistic twist on the classic fairy tale.

In four shows from Nov. 20 to 23, the Guy Lott Jr. Auditorium’s audience was captivated by the heartfelt and bittersweet story brought to life through movement. The production directors’ creativity in designing the choreography, and the dedication of the Upper School dance students who rehearsed for three months, combined to create an unforgettable show.

Inspired by Anderson’s original tale, written in 1837, it tells a much darker, tragic story than Disney’s well-known romantic interpretation. Instead, the mermaid, Pearl, did not have a happy ending with Prince Eric and was doomed to a heartbreaking fate. “Disney made it such that Ariel gave up something to be somebody else for someone. [Our] version is that you don’t have to change yourself for anyone,” said the co-director, Mrs. Lagerquist.

The story was conveyed through a blend of dance styles, including jazz, contemporary and ballet in the choreography to vividly illustrate the character development, different character personalities and motifs of longing, sacrifice, hope and loss that reflect the emotional depth of the tale. From the well-portrayed surprise of Pearl waking up with her new legs on the beach and meeting Eric, to the final scene where she dissolves into seafoam, her fluid movements and integration with the waves symbolized her transformation. The dancers brilliantly captured the dramatic emotional shifts throughout the story.

Innovative costumes, projection designs and eclectic music added enchanting elements to the production. The technical crew worked tirelessly offstage to support the dancers, manage lighting, control scenic projections and apply makeup to enhance the underwater world.

One unique aspect of the production is that Upper School students got the opportunity to audition for the dance production with no cuts, ensuring that students from all grades could participate regardless of their dance level.

Janet C. (‘28), a freshman, performed as a jellyfish and a dead soul.“I really love how the production allows us to creatively express ourselves,” she said. “I’ve always done dance as a very technical thing that you’re either good or bad at, but with this production …it’s like a combination of theater and dance.”

Jackie Y. (‘25), who began dancing when she was two, performed as Pearl in this year’s production, which was also her last production at TAS. “Apart from the dancing, it’s always fun to see what role [and costumes] you get. [It’s about] feeling bonita and embodying your role,” she commented.

Laetitia C. (‘25), who performed as the Mother of Pearl in her last production as well, added, “I think just getting to know everyone in the dance community, especially during production season [creates] bonding between everyone since it’s not specific teams, we’re all working together to create something really good.”

The production provides a warm and inclusive community for all dancers, regardless of experience, fostering a sense of family and belonging. Students also get to know people in the dance community from different grades.

With striking choreography and powerful storytelling, the Upper School production brought to life a classic tale of beauty and sorrow from the mysterious depths of the sea, leaving the TAS community awestruck and excited for future productions.