Sponsored by RCES PTO,  the mission behind Missoula Children's Theater (MCT) 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.

Thanks to a generous grant from our Rock Creek PTO, students will have an opportunity to enjoy a week long residency program with professionals from the Missoula Children’s Theater. The theater group will be in Maple Valley working with Rock Creek 2nd-5th grade students on three productions this school year.

The Missoula Children’s Theater International Project is the largest touring children's theatre program in the U.S. The concept is based on a week-long residency during which a team of two staff Tour Actor/Directors develop and produce a full-scale musical with 50-60 children as cast members. Auditions, intensive rehearsals, workshops and finished performances for the public are all part of the residency. The plays are updated versions of classic fairy tales and children's stories. Each production comes complete with professionally designed scenery, costumes, props and makeup, as well as sound and lighting equipment. This season MCT will send out 27 teams to put on approximately 900 residencies, which include over 55,000 young performers in all 50 states, Canada, Europe, South America and Asia.

To evenly spread the number of students throughout the programs, classes have been assigned to each production.  Students may only register for their assigned production.  The schedule for this year is as follows:

 

October 12-16 – Sleeping Beauty

5 – Cassady/Rodriquez

4 – Hartke/Schmitz

3 – Tschirhart/Fitzpatrick

2 – Parker-Roberts/Peerenboom

 

November 30 – December 5 - Aladdin

5 – Aaby/McDaniel

4 – Schmidt/Kovich

3 – Wagner/Bond

2 – Brennan/Gomez

 

February 1-5 - Rumpelstilskin

5 – Lange/Schuster

4 – Nickel/Czarnowski

3 – Flatt/Rose/Cierkowski

2 – Crider/Sipila

 

 The Commitment

Students in the assigned production will receive specific registration information approximately 3 weeks prior to the program week.  However, for each production the following commitment is required:

  • Students will pay a $30.00 registration fee
  • The registration form must be received by the indicated due date.  If more students register than spots available (usually 60 total), a random drawing will be held the day after the registration due date.
  • Clear your calendar of all other commitments that week.  You must attend all rehearsals (Monday-Friday) and the main performance on Friday evening at 7:00 P.M.   (Students will also perform in a school assembly during the day on Friday.)   No exceptions will be made except for illness!  A complete schedule will be handed out on the first night.
  • Practices will be after school until 6:00 p.m. with some parts requiring students to stay until 8:00 p.m.  For these students, parents will need to provide a sack dinner.
  • This week is a wonderful experience, but it’s also all-consuming.  Students will be spending a lot of time at school intensely involved in putting on the production.  Teachers will be made aware of students that are involved, but keeping up with regular assignments is also something to keep in mind when considering whether to participate

Actor Housing Needed

We are still in need of a host family for our actors.  All you need to provide is a private room. The actors will be at Rock Creek every afternoon and evening and will be busy a lot of the other time.  Providing meals is totally optional and often unnecessary.  If you can provide housing you will have your $30 fee waived and will get a guaranteed spot in the residency!  If interested please contact Radie Haytack or the Rock Creek office.

 

Radie Haytack, Missoula Drama Coordinator

425-413-3313

rhaytack@tahomasd.us