The Missoula Children’s Theatre, the nation’s largest touring children’s theater group, is in Luverne this week with its directors, set, lights, props and costumes.
Nearly 60 young local actors and singers will take the stage this weekend to perform the musical, “Cinderella,” after rehearsing for only one week.
Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday, July 17, and 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Palace Theatre in Luverne.
Tour directors Jackie Wiles and Emma Harr began the week with auditions Monday morning in the gym at St. Catherine Catholic Church.
By noon that day, all of the children knew which characters they were playing and rehearsals began.
Makayla Bakken plays the role of Cinderella, and Mary-Francis Ladd is the evil stepmother. Stepsisters “Lovely” and “Beauty” are played by Julia Ferguson and Jo-Hanna Ladd.
Other leading cast members include Alli LaRock as Raggedy Annie, Aidan Bartels as the Prince and Luke Thorson as the King.
Town cryers are Jordan Winter and Gunnar Oldre, and Mallory VonTersch and Madilyn Wenzel are Fido and Cleo.
Many other local youth will be acting and singing on stage in other roles.
Beggars include Katelin Schroeder, Peter Baustian, Xavier Carbonneau, Xander Walgrave, Sophie Holmberg, Ashlee Boltjes, Josie Golla, Reilly Wulf, Anna Warntjes and Camden Hoven.
Lords and Ladies are Mekiah Kremin, Kyle Ferguson, Tori Hemme, Leif Tollefson, Rachel DenHerder, Johnathon Sjaarda, Zoe Perkins, Burke Johnson, Rylee Anderson, Logan Ommen, Lily Ehlers, Ashton Eitreim, Katherine Kelm and Britton McKenzie
Mice are Lydia Schuld, Abby Boltjes, Hallie Bork, Abby Moothart and Ashlyn Johnson.
Pumpkins include Brenna Reker, Khloe Viskar, Tabitha Sjaarda, Isaac Coon, Benjamin Hartquist, Xavier McKenzie, Xander Carbonneau, Ryker Johnson, Kaleb Hemme, Evan Frozley, Jacee Chapa, Janika Oechsle, Nicole Sjaarda, Ella Schmuck and Makayla Oechsle.
Shirley Connor is the Blue Mound Area Theater Board member in charge of this year’s event. The Missoula team is staying with Pam and Dan Dobson, Luverne.
Each year, Missoula Children’s Theatre conducts similar theater camps in cities across America.
The goal is to provide children with theatrical training and experiences while building creativity, communication skills, social skills and self-esteem through participation in the performing arts.
Missoula Children’s Theatre comes to Luverne through a joint effort by Luverne Community Education, Blue Mound Area Theatre, Green Earth Players and the Luverne Area Community Foundation.