This ArtsLinkás childrenás theater activity is a family affair! One family who is planning to participate is Patrick, Quinlynn, and Nora Goddard

Auditions for ArtsLinkás presentation of the Missoula Childrenás Theatre production The Princess and the Pea on Monday, July 24, will provide about 50 roles for children of all ages. Envision a kingdom of snow where the residents are Winter Wind Workers, Blizzard Bringers, Icicle Sharpeners and Snow Smoothers, ruled by the Storm King and the Snow Queen. Add to that a Prince looking for a proper Princess to share the throne. Now imagine the Princess and her friend the Pea living in a kingdom of green rolling hills and running rivers with her subjects, The Flower Gardeners, River Runners, Green Shoot Growers, and Tree Barkers. Her parents, King Size and Queen Size, do all they can to keep things running smoothly. Who knows, maybe the dancing Dust Bunnies can help? Although the two kingdoms think they have nothing in common (except maybe a pesky Jack Frost that freezes anything and everything), the peace-loving Leprechauns prove otherwise. Throw in some Phony Princesses and you have a real fiasco! This ainát your grandmaás The Princess and the Pea.

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.

âThis is a group audition ­ no advance preparation is necessary, but a smile never hurts,ã said Scarlet Hood, ArtsLink President. âStudents should be ready to come and have a good time.ã

Performances will be Saturday, July 29 at 3 and 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Theater. Children will rehearse every day the week of July 24 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 4Ç hours of rehearsal will be asked to bring a sack lunch.

Students in the cast may be called for dress rehearsal before the performance that day. All those cast must be available for all scheduled performances.

The Princess and the Pea is presented in New Martinsville by ArtsLink and is sponsored by Fawn and Jim Price and St. Annás Episcopal Church. Additional support is provided by the New Martinsville Parks & Recreation Commission, Wetzel-Tyler Chamber of Commerce, West Virginia Northern Community College, W E T Z and W Y M J Radio, and Riesbeckás Supermarket, the West Virginia Department 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. Grant funding application has been made to the Hope Gas Foundation.

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.

Donna Earley, Administrative Coordinator

ArtsLink, the Arts Council for Wetzel and Tyler Counties

202 Maple Avenue, New Martinsville WV 26155

304-455-2278