Meet Katrina — The Current Behind the Creative Team Producing The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure
What do “¡Celebración Encanto!” at EPCOT, “Happily Ever After” at Magic Kingdom, “Fantasmic!” and “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” at Hollywood Studios have in common?
The creativity and technical expertise of Katrina Mena Rick, a 14-year senior creative producer with Disney Live Entertainment, whose visionary ideas bring to life some of the most dazzling and beloved musical shows at Walt Disney World Resort.
Anchored in Innovation
Katrina leads a team of artists who work behind-the-scenes for The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure, the bold new theatrical stage show utilizing immersive media to transform live storytelling into a multi-sensory experience — blending technology, innovation and nostalgia. As the show’s senior creative producer, she oversees the entire visual media pipeline, from concept art and motion capture to animation and final show integration.
“I’m one of hundreds of cast members but at the end of the day, this is a team effort,” said Katrina. “While our guests might only experience it as a brief moment, it takes weeks, months, even years to bring this to life. That’s what makes it so special—to look back and say, I got to be part of that.”
A Career in Full Sail
Opening a new stage show isn’t the only milestone Katrina is celebrating. An Alumni of Full Sail University, she was recently inducted into the Full Sail University Hall of Fame.
She described the moment as a life-changing opportunity to look back at her career from a wider lens and honor the journey it took to get there – from her first role as a stage manager to working on the return of Fantasmic! and Happily Ever After – each step along the way shaping her as a leader and storyteller. Katrina is the first creative producer from Disney Live Entertainment to receive the distinct honor.
Finding her Voice
Katrina sometimes reflects on how Ariel didn’t just inspire her growing up, but also ignited a passion for storytelling, creative exploration, and a dream to one day make Disney a part of her world.
“Disney movies and songs were actually how I found my voice,” Katrina shared. From her first audition song— “Part of Your World”—to a college essay about Ariel, the headstrong mermaid has been a meaningful current in Katrina’s creative journey.
Making Waves at Disney
For Katrina, the most rewarding part of her work is knowing that guests of all ages can see themselves in the stories Disney tells, and each one of those moments has the potential to create memories that last a lifetime—not just for her own family, but for guests of all backgrounds.
As a creative producer with Latin-American (Hispanic) roots, Katrina knows what it means to pave the way as a role model for aspiring producers. Growing up Cuban American in Miami, she often floated between different cultures and that experience drew her to Ariel.
“She was curious, courageous, tenacious—everything I aspired to be,” Katrina said.
Today, Katrina brings that same spirit to her work and leadership. Whether mentoring young creatives or collaborating across teams, she’s driven by a passion for helping others feel seen. Her work is more than visual spectacle; it’s a reminder that wonder, courage, and creativity can change lives, both onstage and off. For Katrina, working at Disney isn’t just a career — it’s personal.
Professional Dreams Do Come True
“Disney was always associated with happy times in my family,” she says. “I still remember going to the parks with my parents, and now, I get to see my daughters experience shows I work on. Every time we open a new one, I’m not watching the stage — I’m watching their reactions.”
While Katrina works behind the scenes, her influence is unmistakably etched into every frame, moment, and connection made through the magic of Disney Live Entertainment. Dive into The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, now showing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
