Mission Statement:
The Little Theatre invites our community youth to participate in an engaging and accessible introduction to theatre arts. We offer multimodal opportunities in a safe and supportive environment, paying particular attention to access, inclusion, and diversity.
True community theatre provides an unprecedented opportunity to work intergenerationally on common creative projects. Our stage has seen a grandfather singing in a choir while his grandson acts a part and whole families have been onstage together as units. Our space wouldn’t feel complete without our youngest participants working shoulder-to-shoulder with our seasoned mentors.
The Little Theatre embraces youth, providing shows specific to their age range and also inviting them to join regular season productions whenever possible.
In an effort to introduce kids to performing and creative pursuits and build a lifelong love of the arts, we offer three summer productions that offer different types of opportunities. All productions are by audition and tuition-free.
A Note On Auditions
All Youth Opportunities at The Little Theatre of Walla Walla are “come as you are” and do not require any prepared material.
Kids may be disappointed if they are not cast. There is not always a role for everyone. The first thing to remember is that there are so many reasons this can happen. Some roles need specific skills like a vocal range, emotional depth, or comedic timing. Sometimes physical qualities are needed, such as height, age, or gender. Other times directors consider how actors fit together.
If your child doesn’t get a role, take the opportunity to model how to handle life’s disappointments. Make sure you emphasize the courage it took to try out. Congratulate them on what they did well and review the reasons there may not have been a role for them (see above). Once a little time has passed, consider debriefing what they can do to work on their skills, bring them to workshops, and consider how they can be involved in a different way.
Missoula Children’s Theatre
Grades 1-12, 1 Week, Mon.-Sat., Up to 60 Kids
”Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”-June 16-21
Auditions: Monday, June 24, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Rehearsals: Monday-Friday, June 24-28, 10:00 AM-2:15 PM (depending on role)
Performances: Saturday, June 21, 3:00 PM & 5:30 PM
Open Auditions:
An open audition allows all children within the specified age range to audition. There is no limit to the number of children who may audition and every child at the audition has an equal chance of being cast. This is our preferred option, not only because it’s a more “real-life” experience, but because it allows the team the opportunity to choose the child that best fits each role from the array of children who attend the audition process. The more flexibility the team has in the casting process, the better. The open audition will be conducted by the two MCT Tour Actor/Directors (TADs) who will choose a cast of 50-60 children. If more than 60 children audition, not all of the children auditioning will receive a part. Casting the show will be at the sole discretion of the TADs and roles will be announced at the end of the audition. The TADs will make sure that no one is singled out while doing their best to ensure that everyone leaves with a positive feeling.
Workshops: TBA
Also included in the residency are three enrichment workshops presented by the Tour Actor/Directors, one of which is devoted to our friends at the Walla Walla Disability Network. Creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills, and self-esteem are all characteristics that are attained through participation in this unique, educational project. MCT’s mission is the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts.
