Shortline Junction at the Francis Creative Arts Center!
July 11, 2025Auditions for ArtsLink’s presentation of the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of The Wizard of Oz on Monday, July 21, will provide about 50 roles for children of all ages. Among the roles to be cast are Dorothy, Toto, the Lion, the Tin Man, the Professor/Wizard, the Green Guard, Glinda, the Wicked Witch, Mayor Munchkin, Farmer Munchkin, the Munchkins, the Kalidahs, the Illusionists and the Sprouts. Auditions will begin at 9:45 a.m. at the Lincoln Theater in New Martinsville for children entering first through 12th grades. There also are Student Director opportunities for older youths to aid in rehearsals throughout the week, and to take on essential backstage responsibilities. Students wishing to audition must arrive by the scheduled starting time and stay for the entire two-hour session. The first rehearsal begins approximately 30 minutes after the audition.
While approximately 50 roles will be available, there is no guarantee that everyone who auditions will be cast in the play, Missoula officials note.
“This is a group audition – no advance preparation is necessary, but a smile never hurts,” said Scarlet Hood, ArtsLink President. “Students should be ready to come and have a good time.”
Performances will be Saturday, July 26 at 3 and 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Theater. Children will rehearse every day the week of July 15 from 10 a.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. at the theater. Although not all cast members will be needed at every session, those auditioning must have a clear schedule for the entire week and if selected, be able to attend all rehearsals required for their role. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be distributed at the conclusion of the audition. Cast members scheduled for the full 4½ hours of rehearsal will be asked to bring a sack lunch.
The Wizard of Oz is presented in New Martinsville by ArtsLink and is sponsored by Fawn and Jim Price and St. Ann’s Episcopal Church. Funding for this program made possible with financial assistance from City of New Martinsville Parks & Recreation Commission, West Virginia Northern Community College, WETZ/WYMJ Radio, Riesbeck’s Supermarket, Save A Lot, EQT Foundation, Wetzel Tyler Chamber of Commerce, the West Virginia Division of Arts, Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the WV Commission on the Arts. MCT is supported by the Montana Arts Council, a state agency funded by the state of Montana. Please call the ArtsLink office at 304-455-2278 for additional information or to pre-register. Pre-registration is requested, but not required.
ArtsLink is committed to providing universal accessibility wherever possible. Persons with special needs may contact ArtsLink at 304-455-2278 to request assistance.
Kids on the Lincoln Theater Steps who are planning to audition for the upcoming ArtsLink presentation of the Missoula Children’s Theater production of the Wizard of Oz are, left to right, Razzlyn Sidwell, Mia Rosenlieb, Jade Rogers, and Thea Rogers. (Photograph by Miranda Rogers)