If you have kids who love being in the spotlight, the Missoula Children’s Theatre is the summer place to be.

The town of Florence is once again hosting the Missoula Children’s Theatre tour show performed by local kids. This year, the theater company is putting on a production of “Treasure Island.”

The Missoula tour shows are designed for students entering first grade through 12th grade. About 60 students will be cast and four assistant directors will be chosen.

Open auditions will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, Monday, June 10 at the Florence K-8 gym, 460 S. Park St. No advanced preparation is needed. Registration is open through June 7. The registration fee is $15.

Rehearsals will start immediately at 12:15 p.m. Rehearsals continue from 10 a.m. to noon and 12:15 to 2:15 p.m., June 11-14 at the Florence K-8 gym.

After a whirlwind of auditions and rehearsals, it’s show time.

Performances will take place at 5 p.m., June 14, and 3 p.m., June 15. All shows are in the Florence K-8 gym.

“Treasure Island,” is an original adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, in which a young Jim Hawkins living on the coast of Maine in the waning days of the American Revolutionary War finds a treasure map. Trusting the pirate Long John Silver, Hawkins embarks on adventure to find the treasure and outwit the villainous pirate.  

Florence has worked with the nonprofit Missoula Children’s Theatre based in Missoula, Montana, for several years. During the town council’s May 6, meeting, a service agreement with the troupe was renewed.

“The Missoula Children’s Theatre is the nation’s largest touring children’s theatre, with nearly 50 years of experience touring from Montana to Japan,” a council staff report stated. “A tour team arrives to town in their ‘little red truck’ loaded with a set, lights, costumes, props and make-up, everything it takes to put on a play, except the cast. The team holds an open audition and casts 50 to 60 local students to perform in their production. The show is rehearsed throughout the week and two public performances are presented at the end of the week.” 

The agreement with the theater costs the town $4,325. Under the agreement, the Missoula Children’s Theatre provides two professional actors/directors with a set, light, costumes, props and make-up; conducts open group auditions for two public performances; holds three “enrichment” workshops; and delivers marketing materials.

In turn, the Florence Parks and Recreation department provides housing for two people for seven nights in a homestay or motel; a piano and accompanist for the shows; one rehearsal space and a rehearsal schedule; a play area; preregistration for cast members; and collects any fees for registration and office box sales.

The theater company has been putting on plays for children for more than 50 years, according to its website. Productions have included original plays and revivals of classic musicals such as “The Fantasticks,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Into the Woods.”

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Janet Perez can be reached at jperez@iniusa.org.