Not sure if theater programs specifically set out to foster camaraderie or if it simply occurs unintentionally. But friendships can cause on-stage chemistry, create emotionally invested performers and make productions better.

Conestoga Valley High School's upcoming performance of "The Little Mermaid" indirectly explores the importance of friends, both on and off the stage. It's a message that can be easily relayed to the audience.

"Seeing the growth is so cool, just seeing how far the students have come," said Vincent Whitman, the director of "The Little Mermaid." "I think it's the idea of the theater program being a family and having everyone connect with common interests. Since I've been the director, the camaraderie has just continued year after year. Theater has brought them together."

"The Little Mermaid" will be presented on Friday, April 5, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 6, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 7, at 2 p.m. in the Conestoga Valley High School auditorium, 2110 Horseshoe Road, Lancaster.

Tickets can be purchased before the show by searching for "Conestoga Valley High School" at http://www.showtix4u.com or at the door on the day of the performance.

There will also be a free senior citizens performance of "The Little Mermaid" presented on Thursday, April 4, at 6 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

"Students come into the program not knowing what to expect," said Whitman. "I tell them that I'm going to push them to be better than they ever thought they could be. I want theater to take them on this journey that exposes their emotions and presents them in a way people will be able to understand and connect with."

"The students are finding themselves in the show and finding their instincts," Whitman continued. "I encourage them to find their passion and move in that direction. This show lends itself to standing up for what you believe in."

CV's presentation of "The Little Mermaid" involves 64 students - 25 cast members, 10 pit musicians and 29 members of the stage crew working with costumes, sets and technical duties. The cast includes senior Rianna Pazo as Ariel, sophomore Connor Lewis as Prince Eric, senior Terence Rosario as King Triton, sophomore Philip Le as Sebastian, freshman Gwen Unruh as Ursula, senior Maya Harner as Flounder, junior Steelton White as Scuttle and senior Evan Zimmerman as Grimsby.

"Being a member of the drama department has brought me so many new friends and has been an amazing experience," said Rianna. "I am grateful for this opportunity and am so happy to be a part of this year's show."

"We had the cast to put on 'The Little Mermaid,'" said Whitman. "We had the vocals; we had the singers. You go into a show having a few ideas who you might cast. But once we had auditions, we picked a couple of students who hadn't been in the theater department before."

Auditions for "The Little Mermaid" were conducted in December, and students were afforded an opportunity to review the script over the Christmas break, before rehearsals commenced in early January. The cast and crew have been fine-tuning the performance after school and during evenings over the last three months.

"During that week of the shows, there are a lot of nerves," said Whitman. "Everyone is trying to be on their game. They're working on their lines, spending time on their own. They're fully in at that moment, which is really cool to see. They're enjoying it, laughing, but they're also super nervous. During that last show on Sunday, they go all out."