Missoula Children's Theater visit boosts self-esteem

DAYTON-Fifty-three Touchet Valley kids enjoyed performing live on stage in the Missoula Children's Theater (MCT) adaptation of Pinocchio last week. Of those, about a dozen were new to the stage according to Liberty Theater Manager Mike Ferrians.

Ferrians said the MCT visits began taking place shortly after the theater's remodel in 2001. For many children, a part in an MCT production is the first step towards participating in Touchet Valley Arts Council (TVAC) live productions.

The MCT, a "well-oiled machine" according to Tour Director Shiana Tyler, has been touring from Montana to Japan for nearly 50 years and will visit 1,100 communities this year. A tour team arrives in their "little red truck" with set, lights, costumes, props and make-up; everything needed to put on a play except the cast.

This year's tour directors are Shiana Tyler and Kourtney Ellis. Tyler, 22, hails from the Midwest and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kansas State University in theater. Ellis is 24 and graduated Alabama State University with a degree in interdisciplinary studies with a double concentration in music and theater.

This is the first year for both girls to work with MCT and their eighth week on tour. So far, they have traveled through Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Washington and Oregon. The directors sometimes stay in hotels, but more often, stay in local homes.

The directors agreed that getting into MCT is a somewhat difficult and long process that includes auditions, interviews and recommendations. Tyler said she hopes to renew her contract for another year "if they'll have me." Ellis said she may renew for a season but is also considering a return to school.

The MCT tours throughout the year, sponsored by organizations such as schools, parent-teacher organizations, youth centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, Girl Scouts, service groups, homeschool co-ops, and performing arts centers.

Ferrians said that TVAC-sponsored visits are funded each year through grants. This year's funding came through grants from the Community County Fund and the Warren Community Fund through the Blue Mountain Community Foundation and the Columbia County Children's Fun through the Innovia Foundation.

Tyler and Ellis have toured in both small and large towns.

"We've been to places that have one school, so we're bringing an experience they won't have otherwise. And in larger schools, we are there for kids that can't get into the elite groups that offer theater," Ellis said.

When it comes to directing, Ellis estimates that 40 percent of their time is spent on the acting and the rest is teaching. She said MCT trains directors in how to talk and work with the children, almost providing them with a script.

"We're telling kids they can do it and it's not an option that they can't. We just say, 'you're going to do this – thank you,' it's never 'try.' They respond well to that," Ellis said.

The directors address the actors with contagious energy and enthusiasm, with a bit of fun mixed in. Ellis gives a direction, followed by, "Capisce?" and the children respond immediately with "Caposh!"

The goal of MCT is to promote life skills such as creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication and self-esteem in children through performing arts.

Tyler said she loves seeing children realize that they really can learn and put on an entire show in a week – a feat that seems almost impossible. For Ellis, watching children explore and develop their characters and experience growth themselves throughout the week brings satisfaction.

"The social aspect is really important, meeting each other, working together, finding new friends. That development of themselves; owning themselves, coming into their bodies and discovering their voices," Ferrians said.

Last week's production included 53 local children, including three assistant directors, regulating props, prompting and helping actors get off-book. Pinocchio was played by Bella Zanger.

Both directors say they have enjoyed their experience in Dayton.

"The kids are super, super happy to be here. They want to learn so that's always encouraging to us. A lot of kids are familiar with the program, having done it before, so there are a lot of leaders helping out," Ellis said.

"The people in this town are awesome! At National Night Out I met some people and I went to a movie and talked to some people. Everyone is so wonderful," Tyler said.

Cast of Characters:

Pinocchio-Bella Zanger

Jiminy Cricket-Sarah Shutters

Blue Fairy-Grace Trump

Fox-Denver Hutchens

Cat-Sydney Peters

Candlewick-Lila Hutchens

Candlewick's Crew-Melissa Elder, Brenna Sinkbeil, Z'Khari Bridges, Georgia Reser, Griffen Hinchliffe, Miya Putney, Sydney Meier

Stromboli-Makenna Barron

Urchins-Jayce Cox, Skylar McCann, Gianna DeSomber, Quincy Boggs, Zenobia Burges, Katie Elder, Miriam Hutchens, Julian Butler, Teagan Cullen, Anna DeSomber

Harlequin-Madison Ortuno

Columbine-Moriah Haag

Scaramouche-Alexa Jones

Pleasure Isle Kids-Carter Barron, Kyla Thurston, Nina Jaech, Calliope Sweatt, Alia Mundy, Jack Zanger, Kellen Hutchens, Jemma Anderson, Makenzie Eaton, Delayne Cox, Rita DeSomber, Abbie Lork, Mikayla Close-John

Toys-Franny Pickles-Martinez, Ryleigh Jo Fabian, Reagyn Sheri Fabian, Penelope Sweatt, Isaiah Eaton, Natalie Beth Lewis, Lily Smith, Paul DeSomber, Abigail Corey-Boulet, Claire Culley

Assistant Directors-Brooklyn Butler, Dominic DeSomber, Isaac Jaech

Accompanist-Mike Ferrians

Lights & Sound-Joe Huether

Geppetto-Kourtney Ellis

Director-Shiana Tyler