With the creativity of young performers and some aspirations toward promising careers, Balboa Park’s Casa del Prado Junior Theatre has opened its 64th season with “Annie.” Performers ages 8 to 18 will embark on an ambitious schedule of seven plays and musicals this season, including a Disney-supported workshop West Coast premier of “Peter Pan” in April 2012. “Annie” opened on Oct. 28 in the 650-seat theater and will continue through Nov. 13. “One of the perks of producing quality children’s theater for 64 years is that we’ve built a reputation for excellence and innovation,” said Theresa Wulf, who has been serving as interim executive director. She’ll return to her community relations position now that Russell M. Maitland has been named executive director. Maitland most recently served as the executive and artistic director for the South County Center for the Arts in Rhode Island. An accomplished actor, director and choreographer, he has mounted more than 400 professional productions. “Annie” will be followed by “The Complete History of America” (abridged), “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” “Schoolhouse Rock Live,” “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley,” “Peter Pan,” “Honk” and “Footloose.” “These shows will feature youngsters from all over the county,” Wulf said. “What’s unique [about the Junior Theatre] is all of our kids are enrolled in classes. They don’t just pay a production fee to get on stage. They take a class and then audition for music, dance and improv in winter, spring, summer and fall sessions.” The children, she said, often get the chance to cut their acting teeth in the big leagues. “Our kids are often participants in the Old Globe’s ‘Grinch’ Christmas production each year,” she said. “Those of high school age often serve as ushers and we partnered with them on the production of ‘The Odyssey.’”  The junior theatre, founded by the late Old Globe director Craig Noel, works with various schools in the county — a move that helps broaden audience interest. “We share lighting designers with the Old Globe and the La Jolla Playhouse,” Wulf said. “We try to bring in high quality people, sometimes to direct.” As for the theatre’s productions this season, Wulf is looking forward to setting some new precedents.  “We’re excited to announce our partnership with Disney in producing the pilot production of ‘Peter Pan,’ a new musical based on their beloved film,” she said. “It will be a West Coast and JT premiere. They want to workshop and tweak it so the Disney people will be working in concert with our artistic director.” The company draws more than just local audiences, Wulf said, recalling the production of Nancy Drew a couple of years ago. “There are Nancy Drew Societies and clubs all over,” she said. “One club came by bus from Chicago to see the show.”