It’s a week of hard work, but also one of on-stage magic - and it has become a performing arts tradition in our city. Once again, professionals from Missoula Children’s Theatre will visit Bridgeport next week, creating a polished performance in seven days.

 

Quite appropriately, this year’s show is “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

 

“’Snow White’ was our very first show and the first that has been repeated,” said local organizer Michele Skaggs. “It’s kind of a milestone for us.”

 

Skaggs and her sister-in-law Lynn Davis first brought Missoula Children’s Theatre to town in 2006 after seeing a production in another West Virginia city. Skaggs’ son Stephen was in kindergarten and part of the first “Snow White” show. He is now a senior at Bridgeport High School.

 

Davis’s children have all graduated. Skaggs still has a daughter who auditions for the shows. The women plan to organize the shows for years to come.

 

“We plan on continuing to do it along as we can keep raising money to bring it here,” Skaggs said.

 

Auditions for area children in kindergarten through 12^th grade take place 4-6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12 at the Bridgeport High School auditorium, where the performance will be presented 2 and 7 p.m. on Nov. 17.

 

There is no advance preparation necessary for auditions. There are roles for 50 to 60 students. Those selected must be available for all rehearsals and shows. Rehearsals will take place 4-8:30 p.m. Nov. 12-16.

 

Missoula Children’s Theatre puts an interesting twist on the classics and the shows are always well-received by audiences and actors alike. Kids love taking part in the shows and parents are likewise enthusiastic about the opportunity.

 

“Everyone seems to like it,” Skaggs said. “Most really like the short commitment. A lot of kids can’t do a play because it is usually months of rehearsals. Missoula allows kids to try it without missing a lot of their routine activities.”

 

Actors pay a participation fee of $20, which buys them a week of training with a professional actor and director, Skaggs said.

 

Based in Missoula, Montana, the children’s theater sends professionals to cities throughout the U.S. to inspire young actors, teach them theater basics and let them be part of a full-blown theater production.

 

Other shows presented here in Bridgeport in recent years are “Cinderella,” “Rapunzel,” “Aladdin,” “Blackbeard the Pirate” and “The Secret Garden.”

 

Editor's Note: Photos of the 2017 show, "Cinderella," are by Joey Signorelli of Ben Queen Photography.