Missoula Children's Theater takes show on the road

Posted: Mar 23, 2013 2:36 PM by Jamie Leary - MTN News

BELGARDE - The Missoula Children's Theatre is getting some Belgrade kids ready for their 11th annual performance.

"I've seen kids start out as the raccoon when they're five years old, and then they're the lead when they're 14 because we get a lot of kids that come back and do it over and over again," said Belgrade School Board trustee Renae Mattimoe.

"And just seeing a kid who's been completely closed off, really shy and you put 'em on stage and you put em in a costume and they're not that kid any more and they just come out of their shell," she added.

The kids are putting on the Wizard of Oz on Saturday, a production that includes kindergartners to high schoolers. The shows are at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Belgrade High School Auditorium. Tickets are $20 with money going right back into the production.

The Missoula Children's Theatre has been traveling the country for 40 years and has provided free after school opportunities to over one million children.