Encore Performing Arts is pleased to announce the return of The Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT), the nation’s largest touring children’s theatre. The week-long residency ‘starring’ local students was immensely popular in past years and is pleased to sponsor its return.
A tour team comprised of Courtney Brooke Marks and Brianne Lopez will arrive with a set, lights, costumes, props and make-up, everything it takes to put on a play–except the cast. Both women hold a BA in Theatre, Marks from Eastern Illinois University and Lopez from the University of Redlands.
As in past years, all MCT shows are original adaptations of classic children’s stories and fairytales—a twist on the classic stories we know and love. Past presentations included Jack and the Beanstalk, King Arthur’s Quest and The Jungle Book. This years, Rapunzel has been chosen.
Menominee School will host auditions, rehearsals and workshops from Monday, June 16 through Saturday, June 21. Open auditions for a cast of 50-60 students ranging in age from those entering first grade through 12th grade will take place with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, June 16. The show is rehearsed throughout the week and two public performances are presented as a culmination on Friday and Saturday at 7:30. The auditions last two hours. Each student who attends the audition will need to be present for the entire two hours. There is no guarantee that everyone who auditions will be cast in the play. Those who are chosen must have a clear schedule for the entire week for rehearsals. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be distributed at the conclusion of the audition.
If selected for the cast, there is a $25 fee for non-members of Encore. Those members at the Extravaganza level or higher, are free.
For more information, contact Encore Performing Arts at 574-935-4987. No pre-registration is necessary.
Encore is grateful to the Marshall County Community Foundation for their support. Additional sponsors are needed to support this effort. If you would like to advertise in the souvenir program, the following levels are available: Platinum $250 (full page ad); Gold $125 (1/2 page ad); Silver $75 (1/4 page ad) and Friend (less than $75 with name listed as a ‘Friend of Missoula’. Call the Encore Office for more information.
MCT has been touring extensively for more than 40 years from Montana to Japan and will visit nearly 12,000 communities this year with up to 44 teams of Tour Actor/Directors. Also included in the residency are workshops presented by the Tour Actor/Directors. Creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills and self-esteem are all characteristics that are attained through the participation in this unique, educational project. MCT’s mission is the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts.
