One of the largest traveling children’s theatre groups in the United States will soon be coming to downtown Hammond. Young performers are invited to be a part of the original upcoming performance “Peter and Wendy.”
The non-profit Missoula Children’s Theatre Tour Project travels town to town in search of children who wish to perform in theatrical productions. Each week, the group holds tryout sessions and cast up to 50 to 60 local children in original musical productions. The children learn how to go through rehearsals, workshops and then have the experience of performing the musical in front of a live audience. Cast have access to full costumes, background sets, lights and props that the directors prepare. Missoula has been part of Fanfare since 1992.
On Oct. 24 from 4 to 6 p.m., the Columbia Theatre in Downtown Hammond will hold auditions for “Peter and Wendy.” Children in kindergarten to high school are encouraged to audition. The directors of Missoula will cast selected children on the following Monday and will teach the young actors their parts right away until the following Saturday. Children who wish to audition must arrive at 4 p.m. and some may be asked to stay the entire length of auditions until 8:30 p.m.
“Attending these auditions and being chosen to be cast in the musical will give young children a chance to perform on a real stage in front of a live audience,” said Beanie Stansbury, Administrative Coordinator of the Columbia Theatre. “This will give them a chance to meet new people, get great exposure and be a part of a great experience all the way around. The auditions will be held as a group audition, so it is important for those interested to stay the entire length of time. No prior preparation is needed before the auditions.”
If selected, children will be handed a schedule for the entire week of rehearsals at the end of auditions.
“Every child participating must follow their schedule and be on time and present everyday during their scheduled time,” said Stansbury.
This version of Peter Pan will include characters such as Peter, Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, Wendy, John, Michael, Captain Hook, Captain Hooks’ Pirate Crew and many more. Other characters such as Neverlands’ Creatures, Neverlands’ Islanders and environments, like clouds will also be casted.
Two performances will take place on Friday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. and will be held at the Columbia Theatre. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. Tickets are available online at columbiatheatre.org or through the box office.