Local kids, with eyes wide open, converged on auditions for Sleeping Beauty this week.

On Monday auditions were held for the Missoula Children's Theatre production of the classic play which will have two performances on July 24 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., at The Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts.

The play is being directed by Peter Maier and Kym Craig who will also have roles in the production.

Mr. Maier explained the process of picking the cast was not an easy task.

He said: "It was tough. So many good kids. It would be nice to get support to do the productions for another week.'' "And we could use the kids who didn't get parts this time around,'' he added.

Mr. Maier noted: "The kids that are in it will learn the play in a week. But it will be a professional production.'' Ms Craig agreed.

"We could have easily done two shows,'' she said. "The kids are on the ball.

Their singing is excellent.'' Sponsored locally by Higher Visions, director of the Youth Leadership programme for Higher Visions Clindel Simmons explained that the programme attracts high school and college students for internships.

"They learn everything from marketing, advertising, to sales,'' she said.

"This will assist in putting on the production.

"It also provide job leadership.'' She said: "Missoula was chosen because there is no other theatre company that does what they do.

"They help to build life skills.'' Shangri-La Durham-Thompson, Education Officer for the Performing Arts, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for theatre. The theatre camp had a chance to audition.

"It will focus on all aspects of theatre. Something which the Department of Education supports.'' "It also creates a more solid and ongoing arts programme,'' she added.

Missoula is America's largest children's theatre company. Based in Montana, the theatre runs local programmes such as musical theatre day camps, and performing arts classes for local children. It also creates the arena for local talent of all ages to participate in a large scale.

The theatre is composed of 23 teams of actors/directors who travel in groups of two.

The teams arrive in a town with all the necessities to produce the play, including props, sets, lights, costumes and make-up. They bring everything except the one essential element, the cast.

In its 27 years, the theatre has extensively traveled from Montana to Japan and almost everywhere in between. They are also expected to visit more than 800 communities this year alone.

The young local actors were given a range of rolls to audition for, including everything from caterpillars, villagers, trolls, fairies, a town crier, a king and queen, and of course Sleeping Beauty.

For those who found rolls they seemed very excited about the opportunity to act in front of an audience.

Sleeping Beauty, played by 13-year-old Shay-La Whitter, said: "I felt good, but never thought I would be Sleeping Beauty.'' "The audition was nice because we did it in a group and they didn't put people out front to make them feel nervous,'' she added.

Sharquilla Wolfe, also 13, who will be an assistant director, said: "I think that it is good experience for me. I want to work towards becoming an actress.'' Sarah Gallo, 15, will play the role of a fairy in the play.

"I'm pleased,'' she said. "It was a long audition. But I love to act and meet new people.'' "I think this is a good experience,'' added 11-year-old Ciara Talbot. "The audition was kind of fun.'' Twelve-year-old Garile-Ann Bean, who will play the town crier, said: "It will be a challenge for me. The auditions were very challenging.'' All of Missoula Children's Theatre shows are original adaptations of classical children stories and fairy tales... with a twist.