Barksdale youth 'perform' enrichment project

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joanna M. Kresge
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  More than 60 participants of the Missoula Children's Theater youth enrichment program performed the play, the Pied Piper for Airmen and families July 31 at the Stripes Club. 

The mission of MCT is the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts. 

The MCT travels to numerous cities and military bases each year and brings all the supplies needed to put on a show including stage props, lighting equipment, stage directors, costumes, makeup and scripts - the only thing missing is the cast. 

"The people from Missoula have been coming here since 2000," said Victor Santana, director of youth programs at the Youth Center. "In the last few years participation has gone up a lot, last year we had more than 60 children come audition, this year we had more than 80." 

Children from the local area who range from kindergarten to grade 12 are cast at the beginning of the week and by the end of the week, they are ready to put on a show complete with singing and dancing. 

"The first day the kids were very excited, but they got tired as the week went by, it was crunch time and they were working hard," said Janet Peppers, school-age program assistant. "By Friday they were definitely ready to go on once they saw their costumes. Backstage before the show there was a lot of chatter, you could tell they had the jitters but they were also very excited." 

During the week-long residency the children not only learn their lines, placement and choreography, but attend enrichment classes and play games when they are not rehearsing. 

"The staff from Missoula gave them numerous pep talks, encouraged them, did their makeup, taught classes, gave them snacks and played games to calm them down and get ready to go out on the stage," said Ms. Peppers. 

This year's play taught the lesson that happiness is an integral part of life and should never be stifled. 

"The Pied Piper was about a village, full of children, that was infested with rats," said Ms. Peppers. "The village was led by a mayor who did not allow the townspeople to smile or be happy. The Pied Piper comes to town and helps them get rid of the rats, but also takes children away to teach the town they need to be happy." 

Some children get involved in the program each year because of a love of theater, while others are signed-up by their eager parents. Most of the young performers just come out because it's a fun way to spend a week of their summer vacation. 

"I signed-up for the Missoula program because it's fun, exciting and I get to hang out with all my friends," said Nick Hamann, son of Capt. Ronald Hamann, 608th Air Communications Operation Center. "I thought the people from the program did a really good job this year, it was the most fun I've ever had with Missoula." 

For more information on MCT visit their website at www.mctinc.org.