Missoula Children’s Theater Coming to Ansley June 6-11

ANSLEY–The Missoula Children’s Theater will be coming to Ansley, Neb. June 6 through June 11 to work with students and perform the play Hansel and Gretel.

The auditions, rehearsals, and performances will take place at Ansley Public Schools (1124 Cameron St, Ansley, NE 68814). Eligible participants must be going into 1st thru 12th grades. Students must attend auditions in order to participate and commit to the week of rehearsals.

Auditions on Monday, June 6 at 12:45 p.m. followed by rehearsals. Rehearsals Monday thru Thursday 12:45 to 2:45 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. and Friday 1:30 to 5:15 p.m. Performances will be on Friday, June 10 at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 11 at 2 p.m.

Missoula Children’s Theater (MCT) out of Missoula, Montana travels nationwide to assist communities in putting together a stage show—in just one week. Two representatives from the performing arts organization work with area youth to produce two live performances.

The production representatives will direct the students in learning the musical numbers, choreography, lines, and blocking. Sets and costumes are provided and in just five days of rehearsals (only about 20 hours!), the production will be performed to the public.

Ansley Art Teacher and One Act Director Kalla Sawyer said Missoula has not visited Ansley in several years but knows the benefits of providing an opportunity for students to grow in fine arts, get kids out of their comfort zones, and give them a chance to shine.

“I’m really really excited for the two directors to come into our community. I see the opportunities that it provides for our young kids so it’s exciting to have them afforded this opportunity,” Sawyer said.

Sawyer told KCNI/KBBN the Spartan Youth Theater organization was created to raise money to bring MCT to town. It applied for grants via the Spartan Foundation and Sherman County Foundation.

Last fall, the Ansley High School One Act Team performed an original play written by Sawyer and the students hosted a soup supper fundraiser. She said it was great to see the high school students helping the elementary kids.

With continued fundraising throughout the years, Sawyer said she hopes to bring Missoula Children’s Theater back to Ansley and Litchfield on a regular basis.

“I see all these kids and how animated and theatrical they are in the classroom and so I thought let’s put some of that to use and test your skills and put on a great play! Missoula Children’s Theater is a wonderful organization in itself. We’re really excited to meet our two directors and see what they have to offer and it’s always nice and exciting to meet new people,” Sawyer told KCNI/KBBN.

Contact Kalla Sawyer at 308-430-8528 for more information or to volunteer.

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