By Morgan Burkett
The Greenville Advocate

A group of up-and-coming actors will take the stage at the historic Ritz Theatre Saturday.

Students from Greenville Elementary School and W.O. Parmer Elementary School, in conjunction with the Missoula Children’s Theatre, will present “The Jungle Book.”

The show is an original adaptation of classic children’s story — with a twist. The performance was made possible thanks to a grant from the Alabama Arts Education Initiative.

Students were cast into their role Monday, and have been hard at work rehearing each afternoon after school in preparation for Saturday’s performance.

“The students are working very hard,” said Shera Stinson, a teacher at Greenville Elementary School.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre is the nation’s largest touring children’s theatre. The tour team arrives in a given town with a set, lights, costumes, props and make-up. The only things missing from the production are the actors. That’s where the students from Greenville Elementary School and W.O. Parmer Elementary School come in.

The tour group works with the students to stage a play for the community.

“We are so happy to have the Missoula Children’s Theater here,” Stinson said. “They are bringing art to the students in a way that they will enjoy it. With this form of art in our curriculum, our students are being introduced into more drama, music, dance and art. Seeing the way the Missoula Children’s Theater handled the auditions was unbelievable. We are very fortunate to be able to have them here.”

Sterling Arnold, who will be playing one of the main parts as the Wolf Father, said he can’t wait to take the stage.

“A few of my lines are hard to remember, but it’s been fun rehearsing and I’m excited for Saturday,” Arnold said.

Saturday’s show will begin at 2 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door and are $5.