Missoula Children's Theater
Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT), the nation’s largest touring children’s theatre, has been touring extensively for over 30 years from Montana to Japan. A tour team arrives in a given town with a set, lights, costumes, props and make-up – everything it takes to put on a play…except the cast. The team holds open auditions and casts 50-60 local students to perform in the production. The show is rehearsed throughout the week and two public performances are presented on Saturday. All MCT shows are original adaptations of classic children’s stories and fairytales…a twist on the classic stories that you know and love. Also included in the residency are three enrichment workshops presented by the Tour Actor/Directors. Creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills and self-esteem are all characteristics that are attained through the participation in this unique, educational project. MCTs mission is the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts.

James Caron founded MCT in 1970. From its inception, touring productions have been a part of the MCT program. The initial performances were by adult actors for local children. In 1974, seven local children were cast in each town to play the dwarfs in a production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. A tour of Rip Van Winkle followed the next season, with 35 local actors in each of the seven towns visited. This format has been refined and developed over the years to the present design.

MCT is a non-profit organization based in Missoula, Montana, and also runs many local programs. They are dedicated to sharing resources in providing education, entertainment and enrichment for all ages through the performing arts.

The Verde Valley Concert Association (VVCA) has sponsored the annual productions of MCT for over 15 years. This is available at no cost to any family! Each of four communities has its own production so more children may participate. Within each MCT cast, 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 an unprecedented opportunity to learn the lessons of group dynamics while excelling as in individual – a lesson from art that carries into life.

We invite you to support the professional actors, local children, and their families as they celebrate these fabulous events in Cottonwood, Clarkdale/Jerome, Camp Verde and Sedona. For audition times and locations, please contact the VVCA office at 928-639-0636.

Thanks to the generous assistance of Valley municipalities, organizations, business firms and individuals, the VVCA is able to bring the Missoula Children’s Theatre to area communities to present musical shows that involve hundreds of local youngsters, both as performers and in special workshops.