Auditions for the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of “The Jungle Book” will be held on Monday, June 14, at 9:45 a.m. at the Lincoln Theater in New Martinsville.

There are roles for students entering 1st grade through 12th grade, as well as Student Director opportunities for older kids. Approximately 50-60 local students will be cast to appear in the show with the MCT Tour Actor/Directors. There is no guarantee that everyone who auditions will be cast in the play, Missoula officials note. Students wishing to audition must arrive by the scheduled starting time and stay for the entire two-hour session. The first rehearsal begins approximately 15-30 minutes after the audition.

“This is a group audition – no advance preparation is necessary, but a smile never hurts. Students should just be ready to come and have a good time!” says Donna Earley, ArtsLink coordinator. Rehearsals will be conducted every day from 10 am until approximately 2:30 at the Lincoln Theater. 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 4 hours of rehearsal will be asked to bring a sack lunch.

The performances will be held on Saturday, June 19 at 3 pm and 7 pm at the Lincoln Theater in New Martinsville.

The students in the cast may be called for dress rehearsal before the performance that day.

All those cast must be available for all scheduled performances.

The Tour Directors for this year’s production of “The Jungle Book” are Rachel Penny and Amber Wines; they will be housed with local ArtsLink families for the week-long residency.

Penny graduated from Alvernia College in Reading, Pa. and has the distinction of being the first to receive a degree in communications with a theater emphasis. Wines, originally from Iowa, graduated with her BFA in musical theater from Rockford College. The residency in New Martinsville is made possible by ArtsLink, Inc. with help from Hughes Electric, Hizer’s Mini Storage, the City of New Martinsville Parks and Recreation Department, West Virginia Northern Community College, Chesapeake Energy, WETZ / WYMJ Radio, Ohio Valley Online, the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, the Montana Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the WV Commission on the Arts.

Please call the ArtsLink office at 304-455-2278 or Donna Earley at 304-337-9477 if you have any questions or to pre-register.

Pre-registration is requested, but not required.