OPEN AUDITIONS for Disney’s The Little Mermaid!

KAI is holding open auditions on Memorial Day Weekend (May 22 - 24) for the 14th annual summer musical, Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

SHOW DATES: July 11 - 13 & 18 - 20, 2025

Disney’s The Little Mermaid Synopsis

Ariel, King Triton's youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea.

Here is a Disney’s The Little Mermaid CHARACTER BREAKDOWN for you to familiarize yourself with the characters.

please read the following audition information thoroughly.

Seeking actors, singers, and dancers -FOR THIS PRODUCTION, AGES 8 +

Your audition will include the following:

• SINGING - Please bring sheet music in the appropriate key. An accompanist will be provided. Please choose music that showcases your abilities and is in the style of the show.

  • Please prepare 2 contrasting song choices (each should be approximately 32 bars/up to a minute in length).

  • Actors aged 8 - 12, please sing the attached section of Under the Sea (measures 9 - 40 in the printed music - performance track to be provided soon).

• MOVEMENT

• ALL CANDIDATES will learn a short dance combo to assess dance ability. Bring athletic clothes and footwear (closed-toed shoes with a back).

* VIDEO SUBMISSIONS - Submissions will be accepted until May 23rd.

We believe in-person auditions are the best way to be considered for casting. However, we will accept video auditions in the event you are unable to attend. Video auditions will follow the same parameters as the in-person singing audition and should include a video recording of both actor’s song choices. Please contact John Pletka if you plan on submitting a video audition.

CALLBACKS will be at the discretion of the director. Please do not confuse the lack of an invite to callbacks as a rejection to be in the show.

Auditions take place at Kaneland High School (47W326 Kelsinger Road, Maple Park, IL 60151). Enter through door 32 on the northeast side of the building.  You will need to be on time to the audition and expect to stay until dismissed.

Before coming to auditions:

• Fill out the Audition Registration Form (you will have the ability to submit a headshot & optional resume). THIS MUST BE DONE IN ADDITION TO SIGNING UP FOR A TIME SLOT.

• Prepare your musical selection.  Note that you may sing any song you would like, but it is especially helpful for us if you sing something that showcases you the best.

• Read through the Disney’s The Little Mermaid CHARACTER BREAKDOWN to understand what role you might want to be considered for.  

What to bring to auditions:

• Yourself and a positive attitude

• Appropriate clothing in which to move.

• Music for our accompanist to play - Remember that an accompanist will be provided.  Please bring the printed sheet music, of your song of choice, with you to auditions. 

• IF you have not completed the audition registration form, you will do that before your audition begins. Please consider filling out the audition form BEFORE arriving to your audition. Failure to do so may cause you to audition at a later time than you signed up for.

• Headshot & optional resume, if you did not attach it to the audition registration form. Please note that if you do not bring a headshot, we will take a quick one for the purposes of the audition.

Please sign up to attend only ONE of our auditions:

• THURSDAY, MAY 22nd 5 - 9pm

  • 5 - 6 pm ONLY actors 8 - 12 years old

  • 6 - 9 pm ONLY actors 13 years old and older

• FRIDAY, MAY 23rd 5 - 9pm

  • 5 - 6 pm ONLY actors 8 - 12 years old

  • 6 - 9 pm ONLY actors 13 years old and older

• SATURDAY, MAY 24th 10 am - 3pm

  • 10 am - 12 pm ONLY actors 8 - 12 years old

  • 1 - 3 pm ONLY actors 13 years old and older

• We will invite actors for callbacks if necessary on SATURDAY, MAY 24th from 4 - 8pm.  Callbacks mean we need to see more of a specific actor than we did at auditions. Being called back does not guarantee that an actor will be cast and not being called back does not mean you are not being cast.

WHAT ARE YOUR NEXT STEPS? LINKS COMING SOON!

In order to audition, you must sign up for an audition slot and fill out the audition registration form.

Ages 8 and up are invited to audition.

If you are cast, congratulations! We will be rehearsing Monday thru Thursday anytime between 5 - 10 pm at Kaneland High School and Kaneland Harter Middle School. Rehearsals will start immediately following casting. We will also be building our sets throughout the rehearsal period and on weekends.

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