Island children head under the sea and centre stage in The Little Mermaid Jr.

It's a summer production that's keeping dozens of young P.E.I. thespians busy this summer, and audiences entertained Disney's The Little MermaidJr. playing at the Guild Mondays and Thursdays throughout July and August.

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There's a stage rush you get when you go on stage, and then it lasts for sometimes even a day or two after. Samantha Jenkins, 'Sebastian' the crab

"One of the biggest challenges is having 59 talented kids from across P.E.I. on the stage at the same time at the Guild and getting them all into costume!" laughs directorLoriLinketter.

"That's a big cast. But we're having a great time, they sing great they're enjoying each other and it looks beautiful."

Not in it for profit

The budding actors aren't being paid, but are learning the rules and terms of the stage.

"I just love performing for people, I love seeing all the smiling faces in the audience, it's just a great feeling," saidOliviaBruce, who playsAriel. She's performed on stage before, at The Guild and the Confederation Centre, and plans to become a theatre professional.

The youngest actor in The Little Mermaid is seven, and the oldest 17.

"There's a stage rush you get when you go on stage, and then it lasts for sometimes even a day or two after, it's pretty awesome," said Samantha Jenkins, who plays Sebastian the crab.

Summer theme

The story:Ariel, a mermaid, wants to become human so she can meet Prince Eric, but comes up against the evil Sea Witch. She meets several mermaids, a flock of seagulls and an army of green frogs, as well as sailors along the way.

"It's the exact same as the movie Disney's The Little Mermaid. This follows the exact story and the exact script," said Linkletter.

I hope they learn to love performing, and to appreciate how much work and dedication it takes to be in a show of this size. Lori Linkletter, director

The fact the movie was a hit and has a summery, watery theme appealed to them and is so far a hit with the actors and audiences,Linklettersaid.

Linkletterand her lifelong friend Michelle Banks came together to form Top Hat Productions this summer. They'd thought about a child-centred company for years, she said.

"We have a very talented Island, and we need to support our young artists on this Island and help them grow," saidLinkletter.

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'Need to become a team'

Although Nathaniel Ing is only 14, he's already a stage veteran of about 10 productionshe's performed in the musicalEvangeline and was one of the children of Avonlea in Anne of Green Gables at the Confederation Centre.

"I like entertaining people," said Ing, who noted the large cast of youngsters sometimes slowed the production's progress. He said he's learned discipline and teamwork.

"I hope they learn to love performing, and to appreciate how much work and dedication it takes to be in a show of this size and that you really need to become a team, a family, when you're in a production like this," Linkletter said.

The Little Mermaid is about an hour long and producers say it's for all ages. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling (902) 894-3324 or email little.mermaid.tickets2016@gmail.com.

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