Upcoming
Shows & Auditions
At Matchbox Children’s Theatre, we believe that theatre is more than just a form of entertainment. Our shows are designed to engage and educate children, encouraging them to explore their creativity and imagination. So please check here often for our audition dates as well as show dates!
Not a fan of the spotlight, but love theatre? You are just as needed!
We have spots to fill in stage crew, costuming assistance, makeup assistance. Click below and let us know!
SEASON 49
2023-2024
We are thrilled to announce our exciting lineup for 2023/2024!
With our Halloween Warmup trails at the Hormel Nature Center kicking off Season 49, children were transported to a world of fantasy and adventure. Then The Velveteen Rabbit and Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr - our selected plays of the season! These productions are a perfect opportunity for families and schools to create memories that last a lifetime. From classic stories to music-filled adventures, our plays are bound to inspire and entertain children of all ages. Thank you for joining us in December for The Velveteen Rabbit, a heartwarming story about love and the power of imagination. Our Spring musical production in March, Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr, will have the audience singing and dancing along to all their favorite educational songs.
The mission of MCT is to spark imaginations by presenting professional quality children’s theatre on a consistent basis, while delivering theatre education excellence. We have been staging a variety of artistic performances in Austin since 1975. We believe our artists and performers deserve to have a platform from which they can share their creative and innovative works.
TICKETS
Sun, Mar 10Matchbox Children's TheatreMar 10, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PMMatchbox Children's Theatre, 204 1st Ave NW, Austin, MN 55912, USAMar 10, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PMMatchbox Children's Theatre, 204 1st Ave NW, Austin, MN 55912, USAThe Award-winning Saturday morning educational cartoon series and pop culture phenomenon is the basis for one of the most fun musicals ever to hit the stage, Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR. This revue-like show is an energetic musical which follows a young schoolteacher and his upcoming first day...- Sat, Mar 09Matchbox Children's TheatreMar 09, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PMMatchbox Children's Theatre, 204 1st Ave NW, Austin, MN 55912, USAMar 09, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PMMatchbox Children's Theatre, 204 1st Ave NW, Austin, MN 55912, USAThe Award-winning Saturday morning educational cartoon series and pop culture phenomenon is the basis for one of the most fun musicals ever to hit the stage, Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR. This revue-like show is an energetic musical which follows a young schoolteacher and his upcoming first day...
SPRING PERFORMANCE
SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! JR
Directed by Lucas Johnson
Originally Adapted and Produced for the Stage by
Theatre BAM
From the Series Created by
George Newall and Tom Yohe
Based on an Idea by David McCall
Originally Conceived and Directed by Scott Ferguson
Book by
Scott Ferguson, Kyle Hall and George Keating
Music and Lyrics by
Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, David Frishberg,
Kathy Mandry, George Newall and Tom Yohe
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
The Award-winning Saturday morning educational cartoon series and pop culture phenomenon is the basis for one of the most fun musicals ever to hit the stage, Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR. This revue-like show is an energetic musical which follows a young schoolteacher, who is nervous about their first day of teaching. Various characters, representing different parts of the teacher’s personality, encourage him/her to win the students over with lessons filled with imagination and music. Memorable songs like "I’m Just a Bill," "Conjunction Junction" and “Inter-planet Janet”
bring the lesson plans vividly to life.
SHOWS
Wednesday 03/06 During School Hours of 11:30am - 2:30pm
Thursday 03/07 During School Hours of 8:00am - 10:30am
Friday 03/08 7:00pm "Friends & Family" Dress Rehearsal
Saturday 03/09 PUBLIC 7:00pm
Sunday 03/10 PUBLIC 2:00pm
REHEARSALS
Starting MONDAY, JAN 15 @ 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Matchbox Children's Theatre
Full schedule and scripts will be handed out at first rehearsal.
Monday, Jan 15 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Cast:
Please come to the Matchbox door, east side of building on 1st Street NW.
CAST LIST
Tom
Renae Clark, Logan Merfeld
George
Jacob Plummer, CJ Turcotte
Dori
Heather Meyer, Nifaya Perkins, Aubrey Learn, Sariah Echols
Shulie
Blake Zimbelman
Joe
Jalen Maxwell
Dina
Mollie Johnson
Solo
Eli Heinzeroth
Solo
McKenna Barren
Ensemble
Eli Heinzeroth, Joshua Zerke, Atticus Burnham, Logan Merfeld, CJ Turcotte, Spencer Riedl, Sariah Echols, Clara Stanley, Siri Schmit, Kinley Kirchhoff, Aubrey Learn, Nifaya Perkins, McKenna Barren
I want to thank you all for auditioning. It's great to see so much talent in the youth of Austin. I wished I could have used all of you. Don’t be discouraged if you didn’t make it in this time. Keep trying. Don’t give up. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t make.
Our first rehearsal will be on January 15 at 6pm.
All are called. And more will be explained.
Can not wait to get started on this production. I am ready to Rock!!!!!!!
Sincerely,
Lucas Johnson
Show Director
WINTER PERFORMANCE
THE VELVETEEN RABBIT
Directed by Carrie Moore
Adapted by James Still
From the classic story by Margery Williams
With this version written as a "memory play," The Velveteen Rabbit is an emotional journey through time, as told through the eyes of a young man looking back on his childhood. By reliving the relationship between his 4-year-old self and his favorite toy, the velveteen rabbit, he rediscovers the true meaning of friendship. Central to the story is, of course, the velveteen rabbit, who is introduced to the idea of becoming real by the old rocking horse.
The play explores the rewards of loyalty, the poignancy of loss, and the wonderful, surprising powers of love.
SHOWS
Wednesday 12/6 During School Hours
Thursday 12/7 During School Hours and "Friends & Family" Dress Rehearsal
Friday 12/8 7:00pm
Saturday 12/9 7:00pm
Sunday 12/10 2:00pm
CAST LIST
Older Steve: Carter Peterson
Young Steve: Jake Plummer
Ben: CJ Turcotte
Velveteen Rabbit: McKenna Barren
Rocking Horse: Hannah Zerke
Train: Will Meyer
Boat: Charley Collins
Wild Rabbit #1: Atticus Burnham
Wild Rabbit #2: Logan Merfeld
Wild Rabbit #3: Hannah Keenan
Wild Rabbit #4: Spencer Riedl
Magic Fairy/Mom Voice: Pip Karnes
Thank you to all who auditioned! We wish we could cast everyone but there are only a certain number of roles in this play. You all did a great job and please come back and audition again in the future!
Thank you,
Carrie Moore
REHEARSALS
Starting Wednesday, November 8 @ 6:00pm
Matchbox Children's Theatre
Typically Mon - Thurs 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Updated schedule and scripts will be handed out at first rehearsal.
FALL PERFORMANCE
HALLOWEEN WARMUP
Beware the Dragon Queen
The Dragon Queen calls to you...and you must answer...
Come enchant the forest with us this year, as we dive into an all new story to be told. With more dedication given to rehearsals, costuming, and character development than ever before, you will greatly enjoy being a part of an all new Halloween Warmup.
Are you Echo, the forest messenger, and help guide the traveling humans safely through the whimsical forest?
Perhaps you are Hoity - a loud and impatient gnome. Or Chev? A woodsman needing to work on his confidence...or mischevious teenagers? Vampires lurking in the shadows, Sirens ready to lure humans into the dark pond, and beautiful Fairies ready to party.
Or perhaps...you are the Dragon Queen herself...
All these characters await YOU to bring them to life...and make this a Halloween Warmup no-one will ever forget.
CAST LIST
Echo, Messenger of the Forest
Margaret Burrows CJ Turcotte Renae Clark Diane Petrik Sam Vortherms Geoff Smith
Spooks the Ghost - Connie Perry
Dragon Queen - TBD
Lift, Team!
Hoity - Augustine Stange
Gnoman - Micah Vortherms
Snooze - Logan Merfeld
Crooze - Spencer Riedl
“Brave” Woodsman
Chev - Carter Peterson
Lissette - Mollie Johnson
Children - Atticus Burnham, Jonas Hunerdosse, Tanner Heinz, Ryan Muzik
Beware the Giant!
Steven - Jalen Maxwell
Megan - Heather Meyer
Randal - Jackson Bighley
Honey, I Think We’re Lost
Minerva - Pip Karues
Herma - Sariah Echols
Tabitha - Paytin Simmons
Helga - Emma McColley
Siras - Ryan Capp
Finding a New Day Job
Pearl - Francesca Bisanti
Lami - Clara Stanley
Flo - Reese Meyer
Fairy Council Meeting
Lorali - Rhonda Reagan
Rory - McKenna Barren
Maeve - Blake Zimbleman
Felix - Dominic Bisanti
Winslow - Thomas Muzik
Zia - Olivia Mix
REHEARSALS
Monday Sept 11th
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Monday Sept 18th
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Monday Sept 25th
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Show dates: September 29th & 30th
Arrive at Nature Center @ 5:00pm to get ready, end the night at 9:00pm.
SCRIPT PICKUP
Friday 9/1 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9/6 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 9/7 3:00pm - 4:30pm
COSTUME FITTINGS
Wednesday 9/6 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 9/7 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Please come to MCT for script pickups and costume fittings. If none of these times work for you, please email us to arrange a different time.