PORT HARDY—North Islanders will have twice as much opportunity to get in on the fun when Missoula Children's Theatre returns to train students to perform one of its musical theatre productions.
The touring theatre troupe, based in Missoula, Montana, will hold auditions in Port Hardy Monday, Aug. 7. The traveling actor-directors will then put local youth through rehearsals the rest of the week before sending them onstage in a musical adaptation of Hansel and Gretel Saturday, Aug. 11.
The auditions and performance will take place one week after a previously announced performance of the same play for Port McNeill schoolchildren.
Auditions are open to all elementary-aged schoolkids, from those entering Grade 1 through those entering Grade 7. As many as 60 spots are available for the play, so youngsters of all ages are encouraged to take part.
The Port Hardy auditions will be held from 9-11 a.m. at the PHSS theatre on Aug. 7. Some students chosen for roles will be asked to remain for rehearsals that day, and all who are chosen need to be available to attend rehearsals each day that week.
Port McNeill's auditions will be held Monday, July 30, from 1-3 p.m. at Gatehouse Community Theatre. Two showings of Hansel and Gretel will take place at the theatre Sat., Aug. 4, at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Missoula Children's Theatre sends pairs of touring theatre trainers throughout North America each year, equipped with all the scripts, costumes and sets necessary to put on whimsical versions of popular fairy tales and childrens' stories. In just five days they teach the student actors and assistant directors their lines, staging and prompting and turn them loose to perform the show. One of the MCT instructors assists as a narrator or guide character in the play, while the other directs backstage.
MCT has trained aspiring young actors in Port McNeill, Port Hardy and Port Alice in recent years, in plays such as Pinocchio, Snow White, Cinderella, Wiz of the West and more.
Volunteers are welcome, and parental help is always welcome in breaking down and packing the sets following the last performance each week.
To volunteer or for more information on the Port Hardy visit, call Heather Jones at 250-949-6259. In Port McNeill, call Kathy Martin at 250-956-3456.