The Tortoise and the Hare
School Play w/Missoula Children’s Theatre: March 2-7, 2026
Missoula Children’s Theatre will be returning to Hillcrest in March for a production of The Tortoise and The Hare. If you’ve never experienced MCT, it is a whirlwind week of fun that is not to be missed! This traveling theater company brings directors, sets, costumes and original scripts to guide participating students through a week-long intensive theater experience at our school.
There will be auditions on Monday 3/2, rehearsals all week for students who are cast, and two live shows on Saturday 3/7.
Audition/Rehearsal Permission Slip – Click here to fill out a Google form by March 1, if your child plans to audition. Paper forms will be made available in February for those who prefer to sign up that way.
Volunteer Sign-Up – We ask all adults with a child cast in the play to strive to sign up for one volunteer slot during the week. This will ensure a stress-free experience for students, the MCT team, and our audience of cheering family members! We have volunteer slots to fit all time commitments and abilities. Click here to sign up, and thank you in advance.
What is Missoula Children’s Theatre and how can I get involved?
Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) is the nation’s largest touring children’s theater, and a beloved tradition at Hillcrest. The MCT tour team arrives in their “little red truck” loaded with scripts, set, costumes, props, everything it takes to put on a play … except the cast. The team holds an open audition and casts students to perform in the production. The show is rehearsed throughout the week and two public performances are presented on Saturday. The show can usually accommodate up to 60 student performers and assistant directors.
*Like many Hillcrest endeavors, MCT is only possible with help from our families. We ask that all adults who have a student in the play strive to sign up for one volunteer shift during the week. There are volunteer opportunities to fit every skill and time commitment.*
For more information, contact hillcrestmct@gmail.com.
Auditions – Monday, March 2nd
Auditions for The Tortoise and the Hare will be on Monday, March 2, 2026 from 3:00-5:00pm. All grades (K-8) may audition and no advance preparation is necessary! Approximately 50-60 students will be cast. Student assistant directors will also be selected to aid in rehearsals throughout the week and to take on essential backstage responsibilities.
Those auditioning should go directly to the multipurpose room after school and plan to stay for the full two hours. BACR students can audition as well. Some of the older cast members will be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the audition. Students must be able to attend the whole audition afternoon and all rehearsals if they wish to participate in MCT.
Rehearsals
Our MCT Actor/Directors will conduct rehearsals in the Hillcrest multipurpose room throughout the week as follows. The exact schedule will be determined the week of March 2. Please note that on most days, younger students and some ensemble roles (usually grades K-2) will be dismissed up to two hours earlier than the rest of the cast. All rehearsals will have time for a snack break.
- Monday 3/2, 5:15-7:15 p.m.
- Tuesday 3/3, 3:00-7:15 p.m.
- Wednesday 3/4, 1:30-5:45 p.m.
- Thursday 3/5, 3:00-7:15 p.m.
- Friday 3/6, 3:00-7:15 p.m. (Dress rehearsal)
- Saturday 3/7, 1:30-3:00 p.m. (Pre-show prep)
Performances
The Tortoise and the Hare will be presented on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. in the multipurpose room at Hillcrest. There are no tickets required to attend the show.
The theater program will cost no more than $50 per student – that covers a week of professional theater training and after-school activities! But most importantly, your child will have the opportunity to gain self-confidence, bond with students from other grades, and participate in a performance for the Hillcrest community. If the cost is a barrier, please contact us – no one is turned away for lack of funds. We will follow up with families of students cast for exact cost following auditions. Payments can be turned in by check or Venmo by March 5th.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact us at hillcrestmct@gmail.com.
