Two shows, two towns, one script
Karen Peterson
Arlee Missoula Children’s Theater
Karen Peterson
Darren Marks plays the Mysterious One in Arlee.
Karen Peterson
Nynke Renders plays the Mysterious One in Mission.
Karen Peterson
Mission Missoula Children’s Theater
Karen Peterson
Mission Penguins
Karen Peterson
Arlee Actors
Karen Peterson
Mission Wonders
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Karen Peterson
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
Every week dozens of actors in pairs of two go into schools across the country as directors to help children experience theater for one week with the Missoula Children’s Theater. Last week two different sets of directors went into Arlee and St. Ignatius.
Both schools performed “Aladdin” by coincidence. Each set of directors usually performs the same play in different schools about 40 times a year, so they are used to seeing the same performance.
“Every performance is different even if it’s the same script,” MCT Director Melissa Trentacoste said in St. Ignatius. “It’s never the same show even if it’s the same cast. The show comes alive and it’s magic.”
In Arlee, MCT Director Charlette Rawls explained how each show is different.
“The kids bring different things to the character,” she said. “What they do often depends on the kid’s personality. They can make the character funny or dramatic. We do the same script, but it’s never the same.”
In St. Ignatius, Cassidy Orr, 10, played the Pyramid of Egypt. She said she loved doing the show, but after a week of intense practice to learn all the lines, she was tired.
Dana Goss-Dickie and Kaleb Durglo were two of the high school students in the play. They said they’ve been doing a play with MCT for several years.
“We don’t have a drama program in school, so this gives us that opportunity,” Dana said.
In Arlee, Mandy Couture has also participated in MCT for several years. She said she loves seeing the costumes and getting to know the different directors that visit from different states. Shelby Smith has a favorite moment during the play.
“It’s at the end when we all come together for the finale,” she said. “I like that part.”
The St. Ignatius cast included: Israel Umphrey as Aladdin, Kyia Hendrickson as Scheherazade, Sierra Esslinger as Dinazade, Tori Peterson as Princess Dory, Dana Goss-Dickie as the Sultan and Kaleb Durglo as the Grand Vizier.
The Mysterious One was played by Nynke Renders, Aladdin’s Mother was Meilani Decker, JoLynn Girsch played the Donkey and Patricia Christiansen played the Goat. Taylor Decker was Ali Baba, Sajada Lee was Cassim and Warren Castor was Sinbad.
The Genies were Keisha Dillard, Izabel Evans and Amelia Cronk. The Sailors were Karolyna Buck, Teesh Morigeau, Jace Matt, Brynn Pule, Ahni Umphrey, Allyson Umphrey, Arleta Long and Erich Mitchell Morigeau. River Gonzalez and Jillian Norton played the Palm Trees.
The Camels were played by Jada Domebo, Genesis Holdaway and Maurita Voice. The Cave of Wonders were Cassidy Orr, Gracie Dumontier, Dylan Schock, Lina Sturman and Patience Matt. The Vagabonds were Sawyer Pule, Lola Schock, Braedon Ferris, Kason Page, Connor Durglo, Isalde Aaberg, Lanie Keast, Emilie Morigeau, Lesli Incashola and Kellen McClure.
The Penguins were played by Anna Cronk, Aiden Umphrey, Nolan Lammers, Natalie Billette, Arianna Robine, Tre Domebo, Sir Aguiluz, Avia Lee, Sierra Girsch, Brooklyn McClure, Jaden Fisher, Aliya Fyant, Oshean Bossy and Morgyn Dean.
The student assistant directors were Ashlee Peterson, Shane Friedlander and Joanie Quequesah. The accompanist was Dawn Matt, and the tour directors were Thomson Jaffe and Melissa Trentacoste.
In Arlee the cast included: Noah Coulson as Aladdin and Halle Adams as his Mother, Shelby Smith as the Princess Dory and Dalton Marks as her father the Sultan along with his adviser the Grand Vizier played by Jonas Paul.
Skyla Lewis and Peyton Lammerding are the Keeper of the Book of Answers, Dinazade, and her sister Scheherazade; Darren Marks as The Mysterious One and Madyson Hanken, Harli Jo Kinney and Karma Saab as the mischievous Genies. A stubborn donkey and spunky goat are played by Raven Parson and Amber Oliver. Scheming Cassim and Ali Baba are played by Mandy Couture and Rylee Belcourt.
The cast also incudes Sinbad Bruce Brazill and his Sailors Xaria Jacobson, Izayah Smith, Joseph Pablo, Eirnin Moore, Amelia Lamont, Juaquin Santos, Starr Mahseelah, Katiana Coates and Adalyn Jacobson; wise-cracking Palm Trees played by Cheyenne Pablo, Angel Barnaby and Audrina Gopher; Aurora Parker and Amy Couture are fleet footed Camels.
The Cave of Wonders are played by Melaia Matt, Natalia Martin, Loretta Vollin, Kambrie Rubel and Emma Corcoran; Vagabonds are played by Taleigha Perry, Kailie Scott, Makela Buck, Kolby Belcourt, Belen Holz, Bridger Smith, Cayden Clark, Aleah Jackson, Natalie Olsen and Jeremy Martin; and a pack of lost Penguins are played by Nathan Brush, Aaliyah Tucker, Danica Jury, Caddalina Charlo, and Feather StandingRock.
Serving as Assistant Directors will be Madison LaHaye, Michelle Jury, Skylar Vernon and Drew Knoll.
