An audition will be held for the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) production of BEAUTY LOU AND THE COUNTRY BEAST Monday, June 22, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Nelson Street Theatre (102 S. Nelson Street). Those auditioning should arrive at 1:15 p.m. and plan to stay for the full two hours. Most of the cast members will be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the audition.

Approximately 60 local youth may be cast in this production, including 11 1st or 2nd graders and 44 3rd through 12th graders, as well as four 6th through 12th graders as Assistant Directors. Among the roles to be cast are Beauty Lou, Imaginary Friend, Beast, farmhands Dusty and Slim, the family dog Fleabite Clyde, the Younger Daughters, the Older Daughters, the Country Folk, and the Barnyard Critters. Assistant Directors will also be cast to aid in rehearsals throughout the week and to take on essential backstage responsibilities.

Beauty Lou is the oldest daughter of the broncbustin’ balladeer Buck. At the local county fair, young Beauty Lou is upset by the ungrateful behavior of a miner who has won the blue ribbon for his beautiful roses. She calls him a beast and wishes that he would look like one, too. Years later, when in danger of losing the family farm, Buck meets the miner-turnedbeast. Beauty Lou agrees to befriend the Beast to save her family. Beauty Lou and the Beast both learn to look beyond appearances and first impressions and to see the beauty that dwells inside.