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4.25.08 | Trucking across the Treasure State: Grant bolsters rural access to musical theatre for Montana children.
Featured Organization: Missoula Children's Theatre (Rural Outreach)
The Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT) is an institution in the city of Missoula and an internationally recognized program, traveling to schools worldwide to teach children the musical theatre through hands-on participation in a production. Since its inception, the Washington Foundation has been aligned with MCT. Recently the Foundation awarded a grant specifically directed to MCT's Montana rural outreach program.
The grant enables MCT to bring live theatre to rural, underserved communities in Montana that don't typically have access to live musical theatre. These are small, rural schools, many of which cannot afford any other drama programming for their students. "We have been able to develop new audiences for the arts – kids who watch the shows and especially kids who participate in the shows become more interested in theatre and the arts," said Naomi Lichtenberg, MCT's Director of Foundation Relations.
Lichtenberg describes the growing needs of the rural program. "In one season, we typically tour within every county in the state, and that entails a tremendous amount of driving – at least 100 rural tour stops or residencies per year. Given the ever increasing costs of gas, insurance, etc., the grant enables us to avoid passing our higher costs on to our community presenters," said Lichtenberg. "Keeping our touring residency program affordable for the rural schools that invite us to their communities is a top priority."
Another priority for MCT is maintaining the excellence of the program, which recruits touring actor/directors nationally and gives them two weeks of intensive training. In addition, MCT evaluates residencies with site visits, designs and builds sets, and designs and sews costumes for every show. Each year, they launch at least one new, original MCT show into the touring repertoire. "Aside from the increases in gas, the costs of all of our activities are high, and the Washington Foundation grant enables us to serve our constituents with the highest quality program," said Lichtenberg.
Throughout the years, MCT's rural outreach has touched the lives of countless Montana children, granting access to learning they may not otherwise receive. The program helps students learn about fine arts as well as link literature to music in an entertaining and experiential way. In addition, the lessons learned in confidence are invaluable.
In Belgrade, Montana, a young man won the role as the "castle frog" in The Frog Prince. His mother passed away when he was 10, and he was a shy, quiet boy. His teachers were thrilled to see him at the audition, and glad he won the part. During Thursday's rehearsal he told a touring actor/director (TAD) he wasn't going to be able to perform on Saturday. He said he was worried that his father wouldn't be happy with his performance, although it was likely a severe case of stage fright. The TAD described what transpired, "He cried while I held him, and we talked about responsibility. He decided to stay for the rehearsal, and later thanked me for not letting him quit. He went on to do a wonderful job, and I believe his father was very proud of him. I know I was!"
Similar stories have risen throughout Montana, from students with learning disabilities who shine on stage, teachers whose vocabulary and reading curriculum and music lessons have been enhanced, and parents who have seen their children blossom as actors, directors, public speakers and simply more confident kids.
Through this grant, rural Montana schools are able to achieve state art education content benchmarks. Continuing to bring the MCT program to thousands of Montana youth every year supports their mission to encourage "the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts."
