Missoula Children’s Theatre returns to Breckenridge with summer production of ‘Hercules!’

April 15

15:51 2025

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The Friends of Historic Breckenridge will once again host the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) for its annual summer theater camp in June at the National Theatre in downtown Breckenridge. The camp will offer local youth a chance to participate in the stage production of a mythical tale of strength, character and ancient competition.

This year’s production – “Hercules!” – invites audiences to Ancient Greece, where the Olympic Games are about to begin. With the Cyclopes and Titans eagerly preparing for a friendly but fierce competition, all eyes are on Hercules. But the legendary hero’s reputation for tardiness may delay the festivities unless he can rise to the occasion. The play promises laughter, adventure and a heartfelt lesson that true strength comes from within.

Adapted by Michael McGill and Joseph Martinez, with music and lyrics by McGill, “Hercules!” is the latest original production from MCT, a nonprofit based in Missoula, Montana. The organization is a touring children’s theater that reaches more than 1,000 communities and 150,000 children annually with its mission to develop life skills through participation in the performing arts.

Auditions for the Breckenridge workshop will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 16, at The National Theatre, located at 116 E. Walker St. The weeklong program will culminate in a public performance on Saturday, June 21.

Children who have completed kindergarten through 12th grade in May of this year are eligible to participate. The fee for the week-long theater camp is $50 per child, payable to Friends of Historic Breckenridge. Registration forms are available on the FOHB’s website, or you can click here to download the form. Families who participated in previous years should receive reminder cards to in the mail.

Among the roles to be cast are the mighty Hercules, the philosophers Androcles, Socrates, Aristotle, Zeus, Hera, and Helen of Troy, the announcers Homer and Archimedes, Pegasus, Lion, the hilarious cyclops, the savvy Influencers, the competitive Olympians, and the mighty Titans. All students, ages (kindergarten through 12th grade, based on 2024-25 school year), are encouraged to audition. No advance preparation is necessary. Assistant Directors will also be cast to aid in rehearsals throughout the week and to take on essential backstage responsibilities.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre touring productions are complete with costumes, scenery, and props. MCT tour actors and directors will conduct rehearsals throughout the week; a detailed schedule will be shared on the FOHB/National Theatre’s Facebook page and website in late May.

MCT first partnered with the Breckenridge community in 2015 and has returned annually, with the exception of a two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program has become a summer tradition, offering young performers an opportunity to develop confidence, creativity and collaboration skills.

Some of the previous productions have included “Treasure Island” in 2024, “King Arthur’s Quest” in 2023, “The Frog Prince” in 2022, “The Snow Queen” in 2019 and “Gulliver’s Travels” in 2018.

For more information, visit the Friends of Historic Breckenridge website or the National Theatre of Breckenridge’s Facebook page.