Children's theater plans 'Oz' tryouts

The Mountain Home Arts Council will sponsor the Missoula Children's Theatre production of The Wizard of Oz in April.

A casting call for The Wizard of Oz will be held Monday, April 1.

Approximately 50 youth from the Mountain Home area will be cast to perform in the The Wizard of Oz performance that will take place at 3 and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, at the high school's Lloyd Schiller Gymnasium, 300 S. 11th East St.,

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for Students. Tickets are available in advance at Lucky Perk or Phoenix Storybook Co., or they can be purchased at the door.

Auditions for the show will be held at the high school gym and will start promptly at 4 p.m. Arriving at 3:45 p.m. for auditions (15 minutes early) will give parents time to fill out the paperwork and their child time to adjust to surroundings. "This is highly recommended," organizers said.

Those auditioning should arrive with the expectation to stay for two hours.

Students who are cast will pay a nominal $20 registration fee for the week-long residency.

Some of the cast members will be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the audition. There will not be time to have a dinner break, so it is recommended that all youth auditioning bring a snack.

Among the roles to be cast are Dorothy, Toto, the Lion, the Tin Man, the Professor/Wizard, the Green Guard, Glinda, the Wicked Witch, Mayor Munchkin, Farmer Munchkin, the Munchkins, the Winkies, the Magicians and the Fierce and Ferocious Flowers.

All students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade are being encouraged to audition. No advance preparation is necessary, "but a smile never hurts," organizers said. "All students should be ready to have a good time." There are limited parts, however, and some auditioning youth may not get a part in the production.

Assistant directors also will be cast to assist with the technical aspects of the production.

MCT Tour Actor/Directors will conduct rehearsals throughout the week after school each day at Lloyd Schiller Gym from 3:30-8 p.m. Although not all cast members will be needed at every 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.

A detailed rehearsal schedule will be distributed at the conclusion of the audition. Cast members scheduled for the full 4½ hours of rehearsal will be asked to bring a sack lunch, dinner or snack.

The Missoula Children's Theatre touring productions come complete with costumes, scenery, props and makeup.

The event is sponsored by the Mountain Home Arts Council, Idaho Commission of the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, "The Dave Freer 'Let's play grant'," select Mountain Home businesses, and contributions from local citizens.

For more information about the Mountain Home Arts council or this event, go to the group's site on Facebook, look them up on the web at www.mharts.org, or call the arts council office at 587-3706.