Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT), the nation’s largest touring children’s theatre, has been touring extensively for more than 30 years now, from Montana to Japan, and will visit more than 1000 communities this year with 35 teams of Tour Actor/Directors. One of those tour teams will be arriving at the historic Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake on Monday, January 21, with a set, lights, costumes, props and make-up, everything it takes to put on a play…except the cast.

For this Winter Workshop, we’re inviting all students grades K-12 to come to an open audition at the opera house, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Following the group audition, 50-60 local students will be cast to perform in MCT’s production of KING ARTHUR’S QUEST. Four to six Assistant Directors will also be chosen to help teach and direct the show early in the week and take on technical responsibilities at performance time. Because of costume limitations, there is no guarantee that everyone who auditions will be cast in the play.

It is a group audition – no advance preparation is necessary. The Tour Directors will go through a series of exercises with the children to help them to determine things like; how well the child takes direction and behaves (after all, only two directors will be working with up to 55 children for an entire week – so they need cooperation), their focus, how loud they can project their voices, enthusiasm, etc. Share these things with your child and they will have a better chance (but not a promise) at being chosen for a part. Of course, a SMILE never hurts. They should be ready to come and have a good time!

Rehearsals will then be conducted every day from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday at the Thrasher Opera House. Although not all cast members will be needed at every session, those auditioning must have a clear schedule for the entire week and if selected, be able to attend all rehearsals required for their role. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be distributed at the conclusion of the auditions on Monday. Cast members scheduled for the full 4 ½ hours of rehearsal will be asked to bring a sack supper or snack. Then incredibly, after only one week of rehearsals, two public performances will be presented on Saturday, January 26 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.!

All MCT shows are original adaptations of classic children’s stories and fairytales . . . a twist on the classic stories that we know and love.