The Hi-Liners DownStage Center has announced an exclusive three-performance engagement of Disney's "Mulan Jr." July 11-13 at the Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of Kent-Meridian High School.

These performances highlight a couple of firsts for the Hi-Liners, a Burien-based non-profit youth theater company.

This is their first time generating a production in the city of Kent and the first time they have been named the featured theater event for the Kent Cornucopia Days, sponsored by the Kent Lions.

Under the eye of Maggie Rasnick, guest director from Raleigh North Carolina and Hi-Liners Artistic Director Kathleen Edwards, fifty-five young people between the ages of 8 and 15 from Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park Kent, Milton and Renton auditioned for roles and committed to three weeks of four hour a day rehearsals.

"These kids work really hard to learn the songs and dance numbers and a lot is expected of them," said Edwards. "Even though some of the kids are very young, we expect them to work hard, and listen well to instructions from our production team.

"One of the rewards is seeing the kids gain confidence as their weeks of hard work pay off when they are part of a high quality stage production."

Disney's "Mulan Jr." evening performances are July 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. A Sunday matinee on July 13 begins at 3 p.m. All seats are $10 each and can be purchased in advance online at www.hi-liners.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door with check or cash only.

DownStage Center is the Hi-Liners' theatre education arm, presenting low tech, high quality performance opportunities, as well as workshops with introductory, intermediate and advanced level instruction for students (pre-k through college).

For more information regarding this performance or The-Hi-Liners or if you are between the ages of 7-22 with an interest in musical theater, contact www.hi-liners.org or 206-617-2152.