Missoula Childrens Theatre

What will my child do at Afterschool Performing Arts Classes?

Afterschool Performing Arts Classes are a rehearsal process that culminates in weekend performances of an original Missoula Children’s Theatre musical.  Your child will participate in a group audition, be cast in a role, rehearse, and perform in the show.  The audition and casting take place the first week of class.

Some children will receive roles that require memorization outside of time spent at MCT; these children will receive a script that may need to be returned to MCT.  Lines should be memorized as soon as possible!

Can you tell me a little more about the classes?

The Afterschool Performing Arts Classes meet for five to six weeks and end with two days of performances (Saturday and/or Sunday).

Classes are twice a week; you should register your child for the Monday/Wednesday class or the Tuesday/Thursday class.  Unless there are special casting circumstances, the Mon/Wed class will perform for the Saturday performances, and the Tues/Thurs class will perform for the Sunday performances.  Performance times are 3:00 and 5:00 PM both days.

Classes are 4:00-6:00 PM. On the Friday before the performances, both casts will have rehearsal from 4:00-6:30 PM.

When can I register my child for classes?

Registration forms are available on our website and at MCT and are updated in the spring.

Forms may be mailed to MCT or dropped off at the MCT Box Office (parking lot/lobby entrance). Sorry, but registration cannot be taken over the phone.

In order for us to prepare appropriately for class, we appreciate receiving the registration forms the week before the classes start (by Friday), but you may still register your child the day the classes begin.  

What is a “World Premiere”?

Some of our Afterschool Performing Arts Class shows are World Premieres.  A World Premiere means that show has never been rehearsed or performed before.  All of MCT’s touring shows originate in the Afterschool Performing Arts Classes.  The members of the class will be the first people in the world to rehearse and perform in the show!

How old should my child be to participate in the Afterschool Performing Arts Classes?

Afterschool Performing Arts Classes are open to children currently in K-12.  We have found that young children are more successful in our projects if they have attended or are currently attending kindergarten.

What should my child wear to class?

MCT Classes are quite active, and we want your child to be as comfortable as possible.  Unless your child has a role that requires them to be barefoot, class members must wear shoes at MCT.  Your child should wear closed-toe, soft-soled shoes that are comfortable to move around in—such as tennis shoes. No sandals, please!  In colder, snowy weather when children may be wearing snow boots, please send along a pair of shoes your child may wear in the building. For rehearsal clothes: in warmer weather, shorts and T-shirts are great; in colder weather, jeans or other comfortable pants are ideal.

Should I send a snack?

We will not have a snack break during class, but your child is welcome to eat something before class begins. Students will not have access to a microwave oven OR to the candy vending machines.

On show day, we will take two meal breaks during the day.  Please send a non-messy lunch, a healthy snack, and water.  (Water is best because it’s the easiest to clean up!)  Cast members will not be allowed to leave the theatre to get food unless prior arrangements have been made, and they are under adult supervision. 

When should I drop off my child?

We will begin class promptly at 4:00 PM.  Please do not bring your child to MCT any earlier than 3:40 PM because there will not be supervision.

How should I drop off my child?

Safety is very important to us, and MCT’s parking lot can be quite busy.  When using the lobby entrance, ee ask that parents/guardians park their car and walk their child into the lobby. In an effort to alleviate some of the pre-class traffic, we encourage you to use either the Main St. double door entrance or the Adams Street entrance. You may pull your car up to either of these entrances and drop off your child. All children will go directly to the Community Room on the 3rd floor to drop off their belongings and get their name tags.

When and how should I pick up my child?

MCT classes are finished at 6:00.  While we make every effort to end on time, we apologize if we run over a bit!  To facilitate the process of the children leaving rehearsal, the lobby is the best place to wait for your child.

The children will stay in the lobby until the adult they are expecting comes into the lobby to get them. Parents/guardians must sign their children out. Please understand this is a safety precaution to make sure everyone gets home safely. MCT staff will stay until every child has been picked up.

What if my child walks or rides a bicycle to MCT?

That’s great!  Please make sure we are aware of this by calling us or sending a note with your child. Bike racks are located on Main Street, just outside the double door entrance.

May I watch the classes?

You are welcome to watch the classes.  However, please be aware that all spectators must be silent during rehearsal, and there may not always be spectator space available in the particular area in which we are rehearsing. Also, each child reacts differently to rehearsal.  Some children are self-conscious around their parents, some are not.  Some children would like to surprise their family at the performance.  If you are unsure whether or not you should watch rehearsal, talk to your child or talk to us.

What if my child has to miss class?

To have effective rehearsals and great shows, class attendance is important.  We really need to know if your child will miss rehearsal.  If you know in advance that your child will need to miss class, please tell us as soon as possible.  We will try to make every effort to accommodate you if possible.  If your child is sick and unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible.  Missing rehearsals may affect the role your child receives/performs.

What if my child has a disability or medical consideration?

MCT is proud of its inclusive casting policies; all children are welcome.  If you feel your child’s situation is something we need to be aware of or special accommodations need to be made, please feel free to call us to discuss it.  Please write down any medical considerations and attach to the registration form. 

After I send in the registration form to MCT, will I receive a confirmation that my child is enrolled?

MCT does not send out confirmation of enrollment.  We do not cap the number of children involved in our Afterschool Performing Arts Classes, so your child will take part if he/she is registered.  Feel free to call us if you want to confirm that we received the registration form.

When will my child be performing in the show?

Unless there are special casting circumstances, the Mon./Wed. class will perform in the Saturday shows, and the Tues./Thurs. class will perform in the Sunday shows. 

Show times are 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm.  We will send home a letter that will discuss the performance day in detail.

Why do you need my phone number?

The guardian information on the registration form is there for us to be able to contact you in case of an emergency or any other situation in which we would need to talk to you.  Please provide the contact information for guardians who are local.

Are there scholarships available?

Yes, there are a limited number of partial scholarships available. Application of a scholarship implies willingness of the responsible adult recipient to give volunteer hours to the Missoula Children’s Theatre by ushering for this production. Receipt of an application does not guarantee a scholarship.

You will be notified of your eligibility before class begins, as soon as all applications have been processed.  Upon acceptance of a scholarship, you will be scheduled to complete your volunteer hours. (Please note: ushering may need to be scheduled on the day your child is not performing.) Failure to complete this trade obligation will disqualify the applicant for future scholarships. 

To be considered, the scholarship application form must be returned no later than one week prior to the first day of day camp.  Application forms are available at the MCT Box Office.

Will my child receive a T-shirt?

Yes, the registration fee includes a show T-shirt.  Please choose a size on the registration form (Youth 6-8, Youth 10-12, Youth 14-16, Adult S, Adult M, Adult L, Adult XL).   Your child will receive the T-shirt after the performances on Saturday or Sunday, after he/she returns his/her costume to MCT.

When will I see my child on show day?  Can I go backstage?

We do not allow the cast members to go out in the lobby in costume but family and friends may briefly visit their actor for the snack break in the green room between the 3:00 and 5:00 shows.  However, the cast needs to begin focusing on the show 30 minutes before the 5:00 show begins. 

Will there be a DVD of the show I can purchase?

MCT does not record the shows for purchase.  However, you are welcome to record it from your seat.  Please be sure your camera is hand-held and battery-operated.

May I take pictures during the show?

MCT does not allow pictures to be taken during the show.  This policy is not only for the comfort of those around you, but because the flash/noise of a camera can be very distracting to the young performers.  There will be a photo session following the 5:00 performance; you may take as many photos as you like then.  You do not need tickets to the 5:00 performance to attend the post-show photo session.

When can I get tickets to the show?

Tickets are available 1-2 weeks prior to the performances. We strongly urge families to purchase tickets in advance.
Box Office Information