There wasn’t a shy one in the crowd Monday afternoon when 75 to 80 South Whidbey students auditioned for roles in the Missoula Children’s Theater production of “Treasure Island.”

Students from South Whidbey Primary School and South Whidbey Intermediate School were trying out for 50 parts in an adapted version of the Robert Lewis Stevenson novel.

Missoula Children’s Theater sends its staff of actors nationwide to schools to organize performances by selecting the cast, rehearsing and performing a show all in one week.

With a little coaching from Missoula theater staffers Ian Gibbs and Jamie Lee and with four days of rehearsal, South Whidbey’s students will perform Saturday.

During the audition this week in the intermediate school gymnasium, students were asked to state their name and their age and display several emotions, including anger and fear. Once some of the students were selected based on these brief tryouts, they practiced the first line from the play.

While the students auditioned, nervous “stage parents” watched from the wings.

“They arrive with almost everything they need to put on a play–lights, costumes, makeup, and sets,” said intermediate school principal Doug Hale. “The only missing ingredient is the cast,”

This year’s two performances will be Saturday at the South Whidbey High School auditorium.

“Last year they were at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts. I worried about having enough seating, so this year we reserved the auditorium,” Hale said.

There is no admission charge.

For nearly 30 years Missoula Children’s Theater has provided education and entertainment for all ages through the performing arts. This year nearly 50,000 students will participate as performers in theater productions. This month MCT groups are doing “Hansel and Gretel,” “Red Riding Hood,” and two other shows at schools around Washington.