AUBURN — Community Little Theatre’s Summer Youth Musical Project is well underway on their production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” Performances are 7 p.m. Friday, July 17, and 2 p.m. Saturday July 18.

The directors spend the first week of the program teaching the kids how to audition for a performance, as well as instructing them in dance and vocals, using actual pieces from the show. The kids engage in theater games and learn about how actors tell the story using their movement, voices and words.

Producer Jennifer Groover said, “We have incredibly talented kids and committed parents, but the real magic happens because of how the directing team approaches their work with these kids. It is fantastic to watch. They are truly gifted teachers, and the kids respond so well to their instruction.”

“The Little Mermaid Jr.” features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, book by Doug Wright and is based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film, “The Little Mermaid,” with music adapted and arranged by David Weinstein. The program welcomes back Director Vincent Ratsavong to lead the production team and camp of 55 children, ages 8 through 12, in their endeavor to launch a full-scale musical in a few short weeks. Ratsavong is joined by music director Derrick LaCasse, choreographer Jake Boyce and producer Jennifer Groover.

The mermaid princess, Ariel, is set to be played by Mallory Haynes-White. Prince Eric will be portrayed by Bailey Michaud. Other notable roles include Ian Lathrop as Sebastian the crab, Julia Groover as Ariel’s sidekick fish Flounder, Ryleigh Emmert will play Scuttle and Sophia Carson will be Ursula. Shauna LeBlanc and Eden Rochon will play Ursula’s henchman eels Flotsam and Jetsam.

The rest of the cast is rounded out by Abigail Sirois, Abrina Pilot, Addy Avery, Alina Laliberte, Amy Cote, Ana Moreno, Ansley Watson, Ariana Vallee, Carlotta Dolci, Cassie Gamache, Chantal Cyr, Ella Caron, Emilie Levasseur, Emily Horton, Emma Haynes-White, Emma Moreau, Gabrielle Gladu, Genevieve Vaillancourt, Isabella Keneborus, Isabelle Trombly, Jack Desrosiers, Kaitlyn Sirois, Kathleen Dean, Kesley Westleigh, Leanna Ward, Lilly Moreau, Louise Groover, Mackenna Poisson, Madeleine Dubois, Madelyne Keneborus, Maddie Peters, Mai Luu, Makenzie Finnegan, Maria Groover, Maggie Shepard, Marin Peck, McKenzi Horton, Mike Klick, Molly Gouette, Nora Moulton, Pilar Hewey, Reese Maynard, Sage Tuttle, Sophie Simard, Sydney Stebbins, Thankful Sargent and Veronica Fitts.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children 12 and younger.

FMI, reserve tickets: www.laclt.com, 207-783-0958.