Poway Center Foundation to Present Missoula's THE LITTLE MERMAID, 3/7; Auditions Set for 3/2

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation presents Missoula Children's Theatre production of The Little Mermaid. The FREE week-long theatre camp for children ages 5 to 18, is held at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts March 2nd through March 7th, with auditions on Monday, March 2nd at 4pm and performances on Saturday, March 7th at 3pm and 7 pm. Within one week, children will participate in a full musical theater production from auditions, to rehearsals to a full-scale production for an audience.

The Missoula Children's Theatre team will arrive at the PCPA on Monday, March 2nd driving a big, red truck containing all the necessary elements to put on a show -- scripts, costumes, props, sets and make up.

Auditions for The Little Mermaid will be held on the stage at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts Monday, March 2nd at 4pm and are open to all children age 5 through 18. No preparation is needed, but a smile helps! Immediately following the two hour audition, the team begins the transformation of more than 60 local children into stage-savvy thespians in just six days! Participating children will spend

the week learning the trade of the stage -- from rehearsing lines, learning choreography, getting into costume and make up for two performances of an all-new musical version of The Little Mermaid on Saturday, March 7th at 3pm and 7pm.

In addition to producing this free, all-youth musical theater experience for children in the community, the Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation's Arts in Education Initiative sponsors a variety of theater arts workshops taught by Missoula Children's Theatre Director/Actors. More than 350 Poway Unified School District elementary students are given the opportunity to participate in various in- classroom workshops. This year, workshops will be held with first and second graders at Tierra Bonita Elementary, third graders at Highland Ranch Elementary and fifth graders at Willow Grove Elementary.

Workshop topics range from improv acting, to stage make-up to learning about what goes on "behind the scenes" during a theater production.

For over 15 years, the Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation (PCPAF) has presented Missoula Children's Theatre's educational, live theatrical experiences to the region's school-aged children. The Missoula Children's Theatre residency is one of PCPAF's Arts in Education Initiative programs - the others being Introduction to Instruments, Master Classes with visiting guest artists and Youth Theatre Tickets sponsored by GEICO.

About The Little Mermaid - Deep in the salty waters of the Sassafras Sea, there lived a Little Mermaid. Her name was Celia. She lived for music. In fact, it was said that she had the loveliest scales in all of the Deep. Celia and her three sisters were allowed one visit to the World Above, each on their sixteenth birthday, to learn the secrets of life on dry land. Their discoveries included ferocious dragons, advancing armies and, of course, a handsome and resourceful Prince Charming. In a new version of the age-old tale, lots of music, plot surprises and humor await the audience.

Auditions will be held on Monday, March 2nd at 4pm. For audition information, visit http://powayarts.org/show-missoula-the-little-mermaid-2015.html. Audition and Show Contact: Sharlene O'Keefe | Office Manager 858-668-4798 | sokeefe@powayarts.org.

Performances run Saturday, March 7th at 3pm and 7pm. Tickets: $20 Adults / $9 Youth 18 and under. To purchase tickets, visit www.powayarts.org, or contact the PCPA Box Office at 15498 Espola Road in Poway, CA 92064 or by calling 858-748-0505. Hours: Fridays from 12pm - 5pm and Saturdays from 10am - 3pm.

Missoula Children's Theatre residency is part of Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation Arts In Education Initiative. The Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation is a 25 year old non-profit organization that offers professional performing arts events, including concerts, dance performances, theater productions, and a children's theater series. The Foundation operates through a special partnership with the City of Poway and the Poway Unified School District.