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LOCAL STUDENTS PACK THE STAGE: MIDLAND THEATRE CLOSES ALADDIN AUDITION REGISTRATION AFTER OVERWHELMING COMMUNITY RESPONSE

Updated: 2 days ago

Over sixty local students in grades 1–12 take The Midland’s historic stage in resident company Missoula Children’s Theatre’s Aladdin on June 19; tickets on sale now; the sold-out audition response reflects the power of free, accessible arts programming for every child in Licking County

 

NEWARK, Ohio (June 15, 2026) —— The Midland Theatre has closed registration for this

summer’s Missoula Children’s Theatre production of Aladdin after an overwhelming response from the community made it impossible to accommodate additional participants. Between 50 and 60 local students in grades 1 through 12 will take part in a full week of professional rehearsals beginning Monday, June 15, leading to a public performance on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM on The Midland’s historic stage. Tickets are on sale now at $8 general admission and $5 for students at midlandtheatre.org/events/mct-summer-residency.


The registration response underscores what The Midland has long believed: when barriers are removed, families show up. The Missoula Children’s Theatre residency is offered completely free of charge — no cost to audition, no cost to participate, no experience required. It is one of the most direct expressions of The Midland’s “Arts for All” philosophy, and this summer, the community answered in force.

“We are moved, and honestly a little awestruck, by how many families wanted to be part of this,” said Maryann Crist, Executive Director of The Midland Theatre. “Having to close registration is a bittersweet moment — we wish we could say yes to every single child. But what it tells us is that the demand for free, high-quality arts programming in this community is real, it is deep, and it is growing. That fuels everything we do. And for the families who registered: get ready. Your kids are about to do something extraordinary.”

Beginning Monday, June 15, professional touring directors from Missoula Children’s Theatre will lead the cast through a week of intensive, joyful rehearsal — developing characters, learning original songs by composer Michael McGill, and building the kind of ensemble that only forms when young people are trusted with real artistic work. The process is fast, inclusive, and deliberately designed so that a child who has never set foot on a stage can walk into Monday’s audition and walk out of Friday’s performance as a performer. Every single student who registered receives a role.


The production is Aladdin, adapted by Michael McGill with original music and lyrics. It draws from the sweep of One Thousand and One Nights — weaving Ali Baba, Scheherazade, and Sinbad the Sailor into the story of one determined young hero and his quest through a Cave of (not-so-great) Wonders, guided by wise Genies, a powerful Sultan, and his own Mother. Packed with unforgettable characters — lost Penguins, talking Palm Trees, and enough laughs for 1,001 nights — it is a show that belongs to the whole community, and this summer it will be performed by the whole community.


This week is, in every sense, Arts for All in action. The Midland’s founding philosophy holds that access to extraordinary live performance should never depend on a family’s resources, a child’s experience level, or a zip code. The Missoula Children’s Theatre residency embodies that belief completely. Shy students find their voices. First-timers discover that they are capable of more than they ever imagined. New friendships form under the stage lights. By performance night, what felt impossible on Monday morning becomes a standing ovation in front of the people who love them most.


That experience is made possible entirely through the generosity of community partners who share The Midland’s commitment to accessible arts programming. This year’s residency is proudly presented by the Constance C. Baldwin Fund of the Licking County Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council the and the Licking County Foundation. Their investment is what makes it possible for every participating child to walk through The Midland’s doors and onto its stage at no cost.


The Midland warmly invites additional community members, local businesses, and foundations to join in sustaining programming like this for years to come. As demand grows — as this week’s registration response so clearly demonstrates — so does the need for community investment in the infrastructure that makes it possible. Those interested in supporting future residencies or the broader “Arts for All” mission are invited to visit midlandtheatre.org/donate or contact The Midland at 740.345.5483.


Tickets for the June 19 performance of Aladdin are on sale now. Audiences are encouraged to purchase early. This is an intimate community event — a chance to see Licking County’s own students, many performing on a major stage for the very first time, bring a classic story to life in front of their families, neighbors, and community. It is not just a show. It is a milestone.


 


 

For Media: What to Expect Next Week

The Midland Theatre welcomes media coverage of the Missoula Children’s Theatre residency week. The following is a guide to the week’s schedule and the story opportunities available at each stage.

  • Monday, June 15 — Audition Day. Doors open at 3:00 PM. Between 50 and 60 registered students in grades 1–12 arrive at The Midland for a group audition beginning at 4:00 PM. Professional Missoula Children’s Theatre directors lead students through a welcoming, ensemble-style audition process and assign roles. Some students may stay for an early rehearsal immediately following. This is a high-energy, emotion-filled evening — nervous kids arriving, confident performers leaving.


  • Tuesday–Thursday, June 16–18 — Rehearsals. Daily rehearsals run 10:00 AM to 2:15 PM at The Midland. The cast learns their roles, develops characters, and rehearses original songs and scenes under the direction of the MCT touring team. Media interested in observing rehearsal or interviewing participants, parents, or directors should contact Nicole Fraley at 740.345.5483 or marketing@midlandtheatre.org to arrange access.

  • Friday, June 19 — Performance Day. A possible final rehearsal runs 4:00–6:00 PM. The public performance of Aladdin begins at 7:00 PM on The Midland’s historic stage. Tickets are $8 general admission and $5 for students. This is the story: local children, some performing for the very first time, taking a professional stage in a full production they built in five days. Media are welcome to attend the performance; press credentials may be arranged through marketing@midlandtheatre.org.

  • Story angles The Midland is happy to support include: the “Arts for All” philosophy and what it means for access in Licking County; the community response that led to registration closing early; the Missoula Children’s Theatre model and how the Red Truck Tour works; student and family profiles; and the role of local sponsors in making free arts programming possible. The Midland’s Executive Director Maryann Crist is available for interview.

 

Performance Details:

  • Production: Aladdin | Presented by Missoula Children’s Theatre

  • Date: Friday, June 19, 2026 | 7:00 PM

  • Location: The Midland Theatre | 36 North Park Place, Newark, OH 43055

  • Tickets: $8 general admission | $5 students

  • Tickets available at midlandtheatre.org/events/mct-summer-residency

 


 

About Missoula Children’s Theatre

Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) is one of the largest touring children’s theatre companies in the United States and a proud resident company of The Midland Theatre. For more than 50 years, MCT’s Red Truck Tour has traveled to communities across the country, transforming local students into stage-ready performers in a single week. The residency model is inclusive by design: no experience required, no cost to participate, and a guaranteed role for every child who auditions.

 

About The Midland Theatre

The Midland Theatre, Newark’s cultural cornerstone since 1928, stands as a testament to the enduring power of live performance and community connection. Located at 36 North Park Place in Newark, Ohio, this historic Spanish Revival theatre has been enriching the lives of audiences for nearly a century. Originally opening its doors on December 20, 1928, The Midland served as Newark’s premier entertainment destination for 50 years before closing in 1978. Following an $8.5 million restoration by The Longaberger Company completed in 2000, The Midland reopened as a vibrant performing arts venue operated by the Newark Midland Theatre Association, a local volunteer non-profit organization. Today, The Midland continues its mission of making high-quality live performance accessible to the entire community through its “Arts for All” philosophy.

The Midland Theatre is supported by the Ohio Arts Council with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

 

The Midland Theatre

36 North Park Place | Newark, OH 43055

Facebook: @TheMidlandTheatre | Instagram: @midlandtheatre

 

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