If you visit the Cronin Auditorium next weekend, you’ll find ancient China in all its glory, when Superstar Productions mounts its production of Disney’s Mulan Jr., the story of a young Chinese girl who disguises herself as a boy in order to join the army and defend her country from the Huns. The musical production is an adaptation of Disney’s 1998 film: the script has been modified to make it more appropriate for student performers and has been shortened to about 50 minutes.

The production’s 29-member cast is composed almost entirely of Harvard children in grades four through eight. Cast members have been busily blocking scenes, learning choreography, and practicing musical numbers during intensive rehearsals since the end of September.

This will be the 10th production staged by Superstar Productions, an after-school drama program available to students in the Harvard schools through the Spectrum Enrichment Program. Director Kate Hoch, a former Harvard resident, started the program in 2003 after proposing the idea to Gretchen Henry, coordinator of the Spectrum Program. Previous shows by Superstar Productions have included Anne of Green Gables, Seussical, and last year’s Annie Jr.

Hoch, a trained musician who spent eight of her 10 years in Harvard as the folk group leader at St. Theresa’s, says she started Superstar Productions for a few important reasons. One, obviously, was her love of theater and performance. Awed by the output of Michael McGarty and Bromfield’s high school drama program, Hoch wanted to offer a similar kind of experience to elementary school students.

“I wanted to put on productions that exposed the kids to what real theater was all about,” she said.

She also wanted to choose material that would be both appropriate and meaningful for younger performers and audiences. “I wanted them to learn something from the plays they were in, plays with guts.”

Most importantly, she said, she wanted to offer an outlet for kids who may not have found their niche in sports.

“This is a great way to be part of a team for kids who aren’t on teams. When you’re putting together a play, you learn so much about working in a group, learning to count on each other, and being able to support one another.”

Hoch places a high priority on the professionalism of the shows she directs. From dance and voice training, to elaborate choreography and handmade costumes, every show is a labor of love. She is not alone in her efforts, either. Hoch is aided by co-director Amy Babcock, who also teaches piano and acting privately in Westford, and musical director Deborah Prince Smith, a music teacher with 24 years of experience.

Also on the team is producer Deborah Sauvé of Elm Street, who got involved in Superstar Productions when her son Danny signed up for Anne of Green Gables back in the fourth grade. Since then, she has become an integral member of each production, responsible for the “nitty gritty” of each show, from securing rights to the show to arranging ticket sales.

“We wouldn’t be here at all if it weren’t for Deborah,” said Hoch. Lauding Sauvé’s eye for detail, she adds, “Deborah just nails down every little item. With Mulan, for example, I had to ask her to find me 25 plastic feudal-China helmets. And I knew she’d be able to do it.”

While Hoch clearly wants to lead her cast to a final product that everyone can be proud of, she is most aware of the transformative experience drama can offer to students of this age. For some, it is an opportunity to escape from the challenges of their own lives and “melt into another character.” For others, it is a chance to come into their own and to push themselves as they try something new, be it singing, dancing, or even just standing in front of an audience.

Said Hoch, “I want every child to feel like a superstar.”

Superstar Productions’ Disney’s Mulan Jr. will be presented at Cronin Auditorium Saturday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. For tickets and information, contact Deborah Sauvé at 978-456-6933 or superstars@charter.net.