Each April, in honor of the month of the military child, a unique group of thespians descend upon Fort Gordon and make theatrical magic happen in less than a week.

On a Monday, a pair of actors from the Missoula Children’s Theatre hold auditions for a show, which is ready to be performed the following Saturday.

This year’s show will be Pinocchio, and the Missoula group will arrive on April 12 with auditions for children from kindergarten through 12th grade from 4:45 to 6:45 p.m. at the Youth Service Gym.

About 40 children will be cast in the play. Rehearsals start immediately after auditions from 7 to 9 p.m. and will continue through the week from 4:30 to 6:30 and then from 7 to 9 p.m. nightly. The performance will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 17, at the Fort Gordon outdoor stage.

Performers may not be needed for the entire rehearsal each night, but they should have their calendars cleared.

There is no cost for the children to participate in the show. Fort Gordon’s Entertainment Director Steve Walpert gives a few tips in auditioning for Missoula.

Children should be prompt and pay attention to the director. The directors are looking for children who follow instructions well. Since the auditions will be held in a big gymnasium, children should speak up when reading lines. Also, children should just be themselves and have fun with the process.

Missoula Children’s Theatre has been producing plays for more than 35 years – literally taking its show on the road. Not only does the theatre group produce shows in the United States, but children participate in Canada, Europe and Asia.

More than 55,000 children will participate in shows this year.