Schriever Sentinel

Theater comes to town

By rowdy.tompkins

Posted on July 19, 2012

As part of the Schriever School Age Program summer camp activities, the children practiced and performed an entire play in one week. They performed the play Friday at the main fitness center. “The Tortoise Versus the Hare” was produced by the Missoula Children’s Theater. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes)

By 2nd Lt. Marie Denson

50th Space Wing Public Affairs

Missoula Children’s Theater visited Schriever AFB July 9-13 to teach the School Age Program children a little about acting.

According to the MCT website, the company, which has been around since the 1970s, has been traveling to military bases for more than 20 years giving children an opportunity to show off their acting skills.

The company sends out teams of people throughout the United States. The teams not only teach the children an entire play in one week, but according to MCT, provide children a unique opportunity to learn lessons of group dynamics while excelling as an individual.

“This is the first time the company has come to Schriever,” said Mary Barkley, chief of Airman and Readiness Services. “This enhances what we are already doing [for the school age program]. What’s great about this program is they find a role that suits each child, no one is excluded.”

The school age program is comprised of children ages 5-12. They practiced for four hours each day for an entire week.

They learned and practiced songs, lines and choreography. At the end of the week, they presented a play for Team Schriever members.

The MCT team, who has taken on the challenge of creating a production in less than seven days, are Stephanie Curtis and Laura Barron, who have been with the MCT traveling group for 2 and 1.5 years respectively.

They bring the whole package: scripts, costumes, props and scenery.

The MCT mission is the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts. During the practice sessions, the children were encouraged to speak up, have feeling and be dedicated to their parts.

“Kids don’t put limitations on themselves and we don’t either, which is a big reason why we can do this in a week,” said Curtis. “This is such a benefit to us too, because you know you’re affecting kids in a positive way, building self-esteem and helping them find their voice.”

After two years, Barron and Curtis are still amazed by the outcome of what the children are able to accomplish in such a short amount of time.

The children performed at the main fitness center Friday in front of family, friends and Team Schriever members.