Missoula Children's Theatre offers youth theatrical opportunity

From a break down in Montana to the bright stage lights in Kimball, the Missoula Children’s Theater has come a long way.

In the summer of 1970 unemployed actor, Jim Caron was traveling from Chicago to Oregon for a friend’s wedding when his vehicle broke down.

While waiting for the repairs at the nearest service station, in Missoula Mont., Caron auditioned for a part in Man of La Mancha, and was given the role of “Sancho”.

Caron along with Don Collins, the actor portraying Don Quixote, organized a troupe to perform for children in the area in local movie theaters.

The plays were a hit in Missoula, and soon neighboring communities in Montana and Idaho were requesting shows.

In the 70s, the company began casting kids when the roles were appropriate, such as in Hansel and Gretel or Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

In February of 1972 the company had been booked for a performance of Snow White in Miles City, 500 icy miles away, according to the MCT website.

The directors traveled to Miles City a week in advance hoping to find seven children interested in the dwarf roles – 450 children auditioned that week.

The incredible interest among children, parents, teachers and the press as well as sold-out performances and an excellent production led the staff to rethink their company.

Today Missoula Children’s Theatre takes the show on the road to all 50 states, five Canadian Provinces and 16 countries.

The group’s goal is to help develop life skills for our area children through the participation in performing arts, stating “girls and boys are equal; the disabled become able; the shy experiment with bravery; the slow are rehearsed to perfection; and the gifted become part of the whole.”

By participating, the children will learn responsibilities and how to participate in a group activity to learn lessons on group dynamics.

The group’s website explains that within participation, the children will use the performing arts as “a vehicle to develop...social skills, communications skills, self-discipline, a strong work ethic, and understanding of team concept and self-esteem.”

The Kimball Community Theatre invited, and paid for, Missoula Children’s Theatre to come to Kimball next Saturday, July 9 for a performance of The Frog Prince.

Auditions for the show will take place at the Harry E. McNees Auditorium on Tuesday, July 5 at 9:30 a.m. for children entering first grade through twelfth grade, according to organizer Jenn Dillinger.

Practices will begin that same day and each day after until Saturday from 9:30 to 2:30. Show time will be at 6:30 p.m., in the auditorium at the Kimball High School with a free will donation.

“Two directors will arrive with the sets, costumes and everything needed for the show but we will provide an accompanist,” Dillinger said. “They will handle pretty much everything. They have a pretty great set-up.”

Haley Schroeck, a MCT actor/director is “thrilled to be touring with the Missoula Children’s Theatre.” Schroeck is a graduate of Lousiana State University. She has a joy of performing and an adventure for travel.

Shelby Coleman, originally from Union, Ky., will also be in Kimball for the camp. She is a graduate of Morehead State University with a Bachelor of the Arts in theatre and a minor in dance.

“I think it is a great opportunity for our kids to be involved in a performance this large especially at the elementary level,” Dillinger concluded.

For more information, please contact Dillinger at 308-241-0475.