Students Gain Knowledge During Children’s Theatre

Nearly 50 young actors and actresses took part in this year’s Missoula Children’s Theatre production in Wolf Point last week.

Funds from the Wolf Point Education Association along with local donations make the program available in the community. Local donors included the Wolf Point Optimist Club, Patricia and John Toavs, Wolf Point junior/ senior concessions and the Wolf Point community. Jan Bryan housed the MCT directors/ actors.

This year’s production of “Sleeping Beauty” entertained audience members on Saturday afternoon. Students, in grades kindergarten through eighth grade, auditioned for roles on Monday and then practiced for four hours each of the other days of the week.

Nick Schummer and Dan Lafferty directed the young actors throughout the week. Schummer is originally from West Bend, Wis., while Lafferty previously served as an English teacher in Michigan.

The Wolf Point presentation was the 10th one this school year for the tour. Schummer explained it was a reduced tour because of COVID concerns. Usually they make between 15-20 stops.

He said one of the goals for the week is coming into a community and providing students with another extra- curricular activity. “You want to make sure kids have fun,” Schummer said.

Another goal is providing a nice, final product with a quality show. “Kids need to see their hard work pay off,” he noted.

A highlight for Schummer is dealing with students who have a passion for acting and other students that start to enjoy acting more and more as the week goes.

Schummer added he was impressed with the new lighting system at the school. “It’s great,” he said.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre is the world’s largest children theatre company. The organization holds programs in all 50 states and 17 different countries.