Frequently Asked Questions for Missoula Children's Theater in Sherwood, 2015

How will my child benefit from this experience?

The primary goal of MCT – indeed, the organization's mission – is the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts. Within each MCT cast, 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. The lesson they learn is that all of them are necessary for the show to go on. Few arenas exist where responsibility is taught and learned so clearly. MCT provides a unique opportunity to learn the lessons of group dynamics while excelling as an individual – a lesson from art that carries into life. MCT strives to use participation in the performing arts as a vehicle to develop life skills including social skills, communication skills, self-discipline, a strong work ethic, an understanding of the team concept and self-esteem.

How many children can be in the cast?

All of our shows are written to incorporate an age range of 50-60 school age children.

What are the ages that can participate?

School age children through 12th grade. The youngest participants must be entering 1st grade to be eligible to participate

How much does it cost to participate?

$65 for Sherwood residents, $95 for non-residents

Where will the rehearsals and performances be taking place?

All of the productions rehearsals and performances will be at the Sherwood Center for the Arts, 22689 SW Pine Street, in Old Town Sherwood.

How long are the auditions?

The auditions last two full hours. Each child who attends the audition will need to be present for the entire two hours. Every child who auditions will be cast in the show!

Should the students prepare anything for auditions?

No preparation is needed. Our group audition is a 2-hour process at which all children must attend for the entire time. Our team of actor/directors will guide the children through the audition process with easy to follow instructions on basic movement, lines and song. At the end of the two-hour audition, the cast will be announced, and each cast member will receive a rehearsal schedule for the week. Although not all cast members are needed at every rehearsal 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.

When are rehearsals conducted?

Rehearsals are Monday through Friday 10am – 12:00 and 12:30 – 2:30 with a short snack break in-between. It’s important to note that not all cast members are involved in every rehearsal session. Each child’s schedule for the week is dependent on the role in which they’re cast.

If my child isn’t scheduled for rehearsal, can they still hang-out until a parent can pick them up?

No, sorry. The directors have their hands very full creating a great musical in just one week, and have to devote all of their attention to rehearsals, not keeping an eye on kids that aren’t actively rehearsing. There simply aren’t enough adult eyes to watch un-scheduled kids. For the safety of your children, they must only be at the Center for the Arts when they are scheduled for rehearsal or performance.

Who will be visiting our community?

A team of two adult, professional Actor/Directors will be visiting your community for the week. These individuals are typically college graduates with training in either education, theatre, musical theatre or a combination. During their week-long residencies MCT Tour Actor/Directors serve as ambassadors for the arts; especially the theatre. They have the joy of directing and performing as well as the adventure of travel. Simply put, they have the opportunity and the privilege to change the lives of thousands of young people by carrying out MCT's Mission.

Do the Director teams have background checks?

Yes. With our more than 37 years of touring internationally, visiting nearly 1,300 communities and working with 65,000 children annually we take our hiring practices very seriously. Each individual on our touring staff goes through an arduous process of interviews, reference checks, criminal background checks and fingerprinting – both background checks and fingerprinting are completed by a nationally recognized company. Just as we can assure that every child within our cast is safe with our staff, this same assurance is extended to the homestay families.

How long are the shows?

Each show is approximately 60-70 minutes in length – there is no intermission.

How much are tickets to the show?

$5 – Tickets are available at the door on the day of the show, or in advance by visiting the Center for the Arts or calling 503.625.4278

How much are show t-shirts?

The tour team will be selling show t-shirts during the week and the cost is $16.00.