The Arts Council of Moore County and Time Warner Cable announce auditions for a production of "The Little Mermaid," directed by Missoula Children's Theatre.

The auditions will be Monday, Sept. 18, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Sunrise Theater (250 NW Broad St., Southern Pines).

Students in grades K through 8 are encouraged to audition and no advance preparation necessary.

All those auditioning should arrive promptly at 3:30 and plan to stay for the full two hours. Some cast members will be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the auditions.

Among over 50 roles to be cast are The Little Mermaid, Celia; her three sisters, Delia, Amelia, and Ophelia; Gil, the Merboy next door; the Royal family including, the Prince, the King and the Queen; the poetic Town Criers, dynamic Scouts, snoopy Seasiders, and galloping Seahorses.

Assistant directors will also be cast to aid in rehearsals throughout the week and to take on essential backstage responsibilities.

"Although we cannot guarantee that everyone who auditions will be cast in the play, we can guarantee a lot of fun," says a spokesman.

Two rehearsals periods will be conducted every day from 3:30 to 8 p.m. (Sept. 18-22) at the Sunrise Theater, but not all cast members will be needed at every rehearsal. Those auditioning must have a clear schedule for the entire week, and if selected, be able to attend all rehearsals for their role. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be distributed at the conclusion of the auditions.

The show dates for "The Little Mermaid" are Friday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 23, at 3 and 7 p.m.

MCT's residency is sponsored in part by Time Warner Cable and the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Admission is $5 for ACMC members and $8 for nonmembers.

For additional information and tickets, call the Arts Council at 910-692-4356 or visit the Web site www.artscouncil-moore.org