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Cliff Williams / The Tribune Staff with Missoula Children’s Theater help with auditions Monday afternoon at Tallassee Elementary School for a production to be performed Saturday.

It’s a tradition more than two decades in the making.

PHOTOS: Auditions for Missoula Children’s Theater return to Tallassee

The Missoula Children’s Theater has been helping area children put on a special program. The McCraney-Cottle Arts Council has been helping bring the favorite children’s theater program to Tallassee for years and Jerry Cunningham is always impressed with what staff can do in less than a week.

“The quality of people they have is amazing,” Cunningham said. “They have to, they are out there representing Missoula, one of, if not the best at this. The staff that comes in have a degree in some form of music or theatre. They’ve always been very efficient and effective in how they get it done.”

The process is methodical but fun. Auditions start after school Monday at Tallassee Elementary School.

“There are a lot of things they look for,” Cunningham said. “The more kids they get, the better. They are looking for kids that can follow instructions. They are looking for kids that will take suggestions. They want kids that won’t hold back.”

The auditions aren’t just reading a script. The auditions are activity based to allow the children to get comfortable and explore the various expression based activities.

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“They will put them in a circle and try a lot of different things,” Cunningham said. “They will play games and do stuff like, ‘I want you to jump and say this sound.’”

There are parts for children of all ages and for those with no experience being on stage or acting. Once selections are made Monday, at least two practices will occur at locations throughout Tallassee before the production back at Tallassee Elementary School at 6 p.m Saturday.

This year’s production will be a variation of Rumpelstiltskin.

“They write their own stuff so it will have a different twist to it,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham said the Missoula staff are great in making sure the production is entertaining for all.

“One of the staff will be on stage with them being part of the scene and one behind the stage to help make sure things run smoothly,” Cunningham said. “What I love about Missoula is they get the kids involved in the process. By doing this, the kids are much more hands on and get a great introduction to theater. They are not just watching, they are being part of the play.”