Auditions

for the Old Opera House’s 2026 Summer Family Show

Disney’s The Little Mermaid

Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater
Book by Doug Wright

Auditions:

Saturday, May 16 at 11:00am

(for actors under the age of 16 only*)

Sunday, May 17 at 2:00pm

(any age)

Monday, May 18 at 7:00pm

(adults over 16 only)

You only need to attend one of these dates, chose the one that works best for you.

At the Old Opera House Theatre in Charles Town, WV

Musical Direction by Dr. Bobb Robinson
Directed by Steven Brewer

Performances: July 24, 25, 26, 31 and

August 1, 2, 2026

Sponsored by Charles Town Kiwanis

This is a large cast musical based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film. It includes all your favorite characters and songs from the movie.

All roles are available:

  • Ariel (16-30) - A mermaid and King Triton's youngest daughter. 

  • Prince Eric (18-30) - A handsome, affable lad who has no interest of taking the crown. 

  • Grimsby (adult) - Prince Eric's British guardian. Droll, stuffy, and constantly urging Eric towards his royal duties,

  • Flounder - A fish and smitten with Ariel, his best friend. Rambunctious but cautious, fearful of the dangers that lurk in and above the water.

  • Scuttle - A disheveled seagull and expert in human artifacts. Loudmouthed, optimistic, and a bit ignorant, despite his supposed expertise.

  • King Triton (adult) - King of the Sea and Ariel's father. Beneath his imposing presence and commanding nature lurks a harried single father who will do anything to protect his daughters.

  • Sebastian (adult) - A crab and advisor to King Triton. A musical virtuoso who is constantly distraught from keeping after Ariel

  • Flotsam - An eel and one of Ursula's lackeys.  

  • Jetsam - An eel and one of Ursula's lackeys.  

  • Ursula (adult)  - The banished Sea Witch and sister of King Triton. Supposedly spurned at childhood, she will use whatever method necessary to steal the kingdom and claim it as her own.

  • Chef Louis - The French palace chef, diabolical and violent. A culinary perfectionist with an affinity for blades, seafood in particular.

  • Ensemble - Sailors; Sea Creatures; Mersisters (Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Atina, Adella, Allana); Gulls; Maids; Chefs; Animals; Princesses

Please come prepared to audition. Please prepare up to 32 bars (30-45 seconds) of a Disney or Broadway showtune. Please bring the sheet music with you. An accompanist will be present. Please dress in clothes and shoes that you can easily dance in.

Please bring your calendar or a list of dates that you are not able to rehearse (such as family vacations, work times, summer camps, etc.) Rehearsals are held primarily in the evening and weekends. 

Do you want to be involved in a show but don’t like being on stage? We will also need backstage and tech crews. If you have an interest in helping backstage, please let Lee Hebb lee@oldoperahouse.org, our Production Manager, know. No prior experience is required.

Please, feel free to share this opportunity with anyone who might be interested.  

Fun Fact: Disney’s The Little Mermaid was last performed at the Old Opera House ten years ago, in 2016. Our Prince Eric in that production, Albert Coyne, is currently working as a professional performer at Disney World.