A country drawl is likely to be noticeable as Project Eagle students at W.S. Neal Middle School present a Moussala Children’s Theatre show Thursday evening at the school. Curtain time is 6 p.m. in the school auditorium on Williamson Street.
“Beauty Lou and the Country Beast” will showcase the talents of more than 40 students as the curtain goes up for the show.
Sarah Aaron and Amaiya Johnson will share the roll of Beauty Lou in a younger and older version, respectively.
Other lead rolls will be played by Jacob Crane a Slim and Ilynn Moss as Dusty. Tori Gilliam will portray Fleabite Clyde with Devin Parker taking on dual roles of the imaginary friend and Beast.
Becky Daughtrey, a staff member at WSNMS and an organizer for the production, said the students are eagerly rehearsing and preparing for the production.
“We are so excited about the show,” Daughtrey said. “The students are working hard to learn their parts and be ready for the performance.”
The program is being made possible through funding from the 21st Century Community Learning Center Program through a competitive grant process, Daughtrey said.
“We are thankful for this opportunity to have the Missoula Children’s Theatre come to our school and work with our students,” Daughtrey said. “We have been fortunate to be able to bring them here to help with a summer presentation for our students.”
Tour directors with Missoula Children’s Theatre are Taylor Chew and Amanda Tatum with the pair working with students since Monday in preparation for the program.
Other cast members for Thursday’s production are Taylor Barrow, Bailey Jones, Victoria Buckles, Meagan Benton, Amani Stewart and Sydney Aaron as younger daughters; Chelsey Howell, Jashira Dees, Jailen McKinney, Germany Kiser, Brianna Buckhault and Makayla Alan as older daughters; Jordan Crane, Eric Murphy, Faybian Jones, Aaliyah Goolsby, Jyra Odom, Bryan Parker, Olivia Pintado, Asia Williams, Jade Montgomery, Yasmin Neror, Ariel Smith, Raven Woods, Gracie Gibson, Jacob O’Den, Torez Zeigler, Keyshawn Lawson, Tristan Sinclair, Jasmine McKinney, Corita Folmer and Kendall Reeves as country folk; Melissa Coloa, Jacoria Nettles, Sarah Williams, Danica Smith, Grant Sinclair, Aurora Gibson, Tyler Fraser, Antuan Hale, Travis McCall, Demetrius Bush, Jasmine Montgomery, Natalie Glass, Amiyah Odom and Kennedy Johnson as banyard critters; Tia Lewis, Trent Smith and Anijah Stewart as assistant directors. Stacey Aaron will be the musical accompanist; Taylor Crew will play the part of Buckaroo Bob and Bonnie while Amanda Tatum handles directing duties.