The Missoula Children’s Theatre program brings show biz to town for one week in summer.
Courtesy Photos | New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series

Join Mary Lennox, Colin Craven and a host of others in a musical wonderland this Saturday, June 24 when the Missoula Children’s Theatre and more than 30 local students present an original musical adaptation of “The Secret Garden.”

Hard at work, these cast members have just a week to learn lines and blocking.

Playing the title character, Mary Lennox, is local student Jada Reid. Johanne Hansen as Martha Sowerby, Freya Hansen as Dickon Sowerby, and Jaxon O’Toole as Colin Craven, Michael Qureshi as Archibald Craven, Aria Finch as Mrs. Medlock, Analie Montoya as Doctor Craven and Adam Cunningham as Robin Redbreast.

The Bugs that Rock are Anisa Behnamour, Dru Cadol, Sourina Esmaeilpour, Kira Kimble, Jasmine Leaf and Shaelynn Otero-Abers.

Lydia Bowles, Quinn County, Ava Ortiz, Vedy Patidar, Angel Vazquez will play the Canada Geese.

Appearing as the Moor Folk are Owen County, Ellie Hurtgen, Kylea Lucero, Avynlee Ulibarri and Aurelia Adkins Mazan, Jesse Cunningham, Marion Jones, Bea Rice will play the Fireflies. Varenya Anamika, Kaylee Atwood, Sabine Shores will perform the roles of the Secret Garden. Jasiah Esquivel has served as Assistant Director throughout the week.

“The Secret Garden” will be presented at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Macey Center. Tickets are $5 for adults, free for youth 17 and under. Tickets are available online at nmt.edu/pas or at the door.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre, the nation’s largest touring children’s theatre, has been touring extensively for more than 40 years from Montana to Japan, visiting nearly 1,200 communities with up to 44 teams of Tour Actor/Directors. A tour team arrives in town with a set, lights, costumes, props and make-up – everything except the cast. The team holds an open audition and casts 50-60 local students to perform in the production. The show is rehearsed throughout the week and two public performances are presented on Saturday.

All MCT shows are original adaptations of classic children’s stories and fairytales. Also included in the residency are three workshops. Creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills and self-esteem are all characteristics emphasized in this unique, educational project. MCT’s mission is the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts.

NM Tech Performing Arts Series