The excitement is building for students in the Children’s Theatre Company as they prepare for their performance of “Moana Jr.” this weekend.

The child actors — mostly eighth- and ninth-graders — will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Westlake High School Theatre, 1000 Garden Drive. Admission is $15.

“Moana Jr.” is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the 2016 Disney animated film that follows Moana and demigod Maui on their journey of self-discovery as both learn to harness the power that lies within.

Attendees can expect to hear beloved songs from the film, including “How Far I’ll Go,” “Shiny” and “You’re Welcome.”

Artistic Director Kerry Onxley said “Moana Jr.” is a new production release from Disney that allows local theater groups to bring the film to life.

“The sequel to the movie just came out a few months ago and it’s unusual for Disney to release a production so close together to a movie,” Onxley said. “We’ll probably be one of the first in the state to be performing it.”

Onxley said the production is nearly identical to the movie and offers younger attendees to Saturday’s show “a little sing-along time.”

Onxley, who is also director of Westlake High Theatre, said his high school students created the production’s colorful sets, which will be reused in their April production of “Tarzan” and again by the Children’s Theatre Company for their next performance — “The Jungle Book” in May.

“We were able to kinda tie it all in together — like the jungle vines we’re making we’ll be able to keep and some raised platforms. It just happened like that and it could have not happened any easier for me,” Onxley said with a laugh. “I didn’t even plan it like that — really.”

Onxley said the actors have been in three-hour-a-day dress rehearsal all week and will rest on Friday before Saturday’s performance.

“They’re very excited,” he said. “I know they’re tired after already putting in a full day at school before coming here but their adrenaline is running and they are very excited. It’s going to be a great show.”

Thirty minutes prior to the start of the show, the Children’s Theatre Company is offering a 15-minute “character experience” for $10 in which attendees can go backstage to meet the characters, take pictures with them on set and get their autographs.