MCT presents Beauty Lou and the Country Beast

    Audiences of all ages will get a fresh look at an old favorite this weekend when the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) and 57 local students present Beauty Lou and the Country Beast.         
    Featured as Beauty Lou will be Erin Knoetzel and Harlow Konecky. The Imaginary Friend will be played by Lilli Brinkema. Beast will be played by Andrew Fortkamp. Dusty and Slim the helpful farmhands will be played by Logyn Welsh and Chrystopher Welsh.  Faithful friend Fleabite Clyde, the dog, will be played by Simon Leibbrandt.  Serving as Assistant Directors throughout the week are Evie Narbutovskish, Jayden Phlum, Graham Vlasin and Autum Williams.
The story tells how Buck, hoping to win enough money to save the family farm, sets off for the rodeo and is joined by the Country Folk and Barnyard Critters.
    Beauty Lou and the Country Beast will be presented Friday, July 24 at 6:30 pm and Saturday, July 25 at 3:00 pm at the CCS auxiliary gym. Admission is free, but freewill donations are appreciated.
    Included in the residency are three workshops, all of which are open to all kids k-12.  Students can participate in workshops even if they’re not in the play.
     On Tuesday, July 21 at 2:45 an Improvisation workshop will emphasize teamwork and “all-in” participation as attendees will learn to act without a script. On Wednesday, July 22 at 6:30 pm a Behind the Scenes workshop will explore the world or costume design, set design, theatre marketing and makeup design to give participants a taste of the many art forms involved in making a performance great.
    The Missoula Children’s Theatre residency in Imperial is presented locally by the Chase County Area Arts Council (CCAAC) with support from the Nebraska Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Local sponsors are Hill’s Family Foods, Subway, and Pizza Hut.  For more information, call Marcia Bauerle at 308-882-881