After a short but intense week of auditions, rehearsal, pre-production, and learning about different facets of the performance process, students of Malad Elementary helped the Missoula Children’s Theatre put on a performance of “The Secret Garden” over the weekend.  The large cast of student actors was involved in the process of putting on a play from casting to curtain call, becoming parts of a unique learning experience.  And while a week is certainly not a long time to practice, stage, block, and memorize an entire musical, the elementary students managed to pull off a great set of performances on Saturday afternoon.

This is the third year that the Missoula Children’s Theatre program has staged a production in Malad.  When the MCT visits, they not only put on a production at the end of the week to show off the results of their work, but also leave the less obvious legacy of raising the students’ interest in drama, music, costuming, production, and other aspects of the art.  In addition, all the students of the school learn about valuable personal skills like public speaking and memorization, and personal traits like confidence and a willingness to try things that they might be somewhat afraid of.  Public speaking is consistently ranked as one of the top fears among adults, but children often have natural showman tendencies that can be cultivated early to help them see social interaction as a natural and positive experience, rather than a source of anxiety.   

Due to the compressed nature of the production, the students also learn a great deal about time management and adaptability.  

Co-director Bejamin Gessleman explained to the audience that “These kids started on Monday.  They had five days to pull this entire show together.  For most professional people, it would take months, or even years.  But these kids showed that if they give enough hard work and passion to something, they will absolutely dominate it, and I am so proud of these kids.”

“You guys are in for a very special treat.  We have been working with these kids all week, and they have really been cracking me and Hannah up.  We love how passionate they are.”

Gessleman was behind the scenes during the play itself, while co-director Hannah Sullivan filled the role of a narrator character (Detective Del, P.I.) on stage during the play.  Sullivan’s presence on stage is helpful for both the audience, who are presented with an ongoing plot summary in the person of the detective “investigating the case,” and most especially for the child actors.  As a character on stage, Sullivan is able to “feed” lines to any actors who may be searching for what to say next, or redirect any scenes that go off track a bit.  What was particularly impressive to see was the way that the actors helped each other out without any prompting, by suggesting the next line, or subtly indicating who the next speaker was.  The idea that in order for the performance to truly work all the actors needed to work together seemed to have been internalized in a serious way.

In fact, the concept of bettering oneself by helping others to better themselves is a central theme of the book on which the play is based.  Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel, which was first published in 1909 as a multi-part magazine serial in the manner of the works of Charles Dickens, was written as a children’s book suitable for adult audiences.  Within the canon of children’s literature, it follows the structure of a story in which the main character evolves over the course of the story through meeting others and learning to empathize with them, ultimately becoming a more complete and rounded individual.  The book’s events do edge a bit darker, with the main character’s parents having died of cholera, her aunt having died in the titular garden, and her cousin being afflicted with a debilitating muscular condition.

While the more somber elements of the book are tacitly acknowledged in some ways, the focus of the adapted children’s version is on the journeys of Mary and her cousin Colin from their initial, spoiled selves to more compassionate and vibrant ones capable of celebrating their experiences and the world around them.  The “Secret Garden,” unlocked by a key from the robin, serves as an analog for their blossoming emotional progress, becoming more cheerful and full of life as the story progresses.  Most of the actors fill roles created for the adapted stageplay, and involve characters inhabiting the ship from India, the Moors of the estate in England, and the garden itself.

Every role in the play added to the overall sense of fun and helped populate the world.  The primary roles were all handled very well by the skilled young cast.  Some roles called for a lot of humor and personality, while others called for a more somber and mature approach.  Both modes were done well.  The larger groups of actors—such as the bugs, geese, garden plants, squirrels, fireflies, and so on—all brought unique and fun energy to the proceedings.  

Mary Lennox (“Mistress Mary Quite Contrary”) was played by Karmyn Charles.  Martha Sowerby was played by Rickell Call.  Dickon Sowerby was played by Liam Atkinson.  Colin Craven was played by Charlie Blackner.  Archibald Craven was played by Kayman Nimer.  Draylyn Jones did triple duty as the Bilge Rat, Robin, and Captain.  Mrs. Medlock was played by Lyla Reel.  Doctor Craven was Heber Johnson.  Ben Weatherstaff was Dax Beutler.  

The “Bugs that Rock” were an exuberant group that included Jordyn Thomas as Ladybug, Ali Hanks as Grasshopper, Franklin Fesler as Snail, Makelle Clark as Beetle, Lydia Hatch as Spider, and Declan Summers, Jallee Johnson, and Saige Blaisdell as Centipedes.  

The Canadian Geese, complete with accents and stocking caps, were played by Piper Lewis, Abigail Smith, Maggie Schow, Zach Palmer, Olivia Shandrew, Charlotte Teeples, Jace Seevers, MaCall Summers, Logan Paul Richard, Lilly Jones.

The Moor Folk included Squirrels Nayvie Rupp and Maizley Rupp, Foxes Avery Daniels and Saige Cox, Sheep Eva Coleman, Zaira Hamilton, Alyssa Seamons, Crow Caroline Butler, Fireflies Liberty Charles, Aaliyah Mourra, Greyson Santhon, Jack Coleman, Kallie Nimer, Wynn Werk, Aidyn Call.  

The Secret Garden plants were played by Charlotte Werk, Owen Allen, Brayden Halajian, Lexie Crowther, Charlie Liston, Mikayla Thorpe, Lizzy Kelley, Jojo Jones, Raelynn Patterson, Paris Carter, Elle Evanson, Ruth Angell, and Madeline Shandrew.

Hannah Sullivan and Benjamin Gessleman spoke to the audience after the show, beginning by thanking the assistant directors for the show.  The Assistant Directors were Annabelle Shandrew, Easton Tripp, and Sophia Hess, who helped coordinate the production alongside the touring directors.  

Hess Pumice were the major local sponsor for the event.  Lorna Hess was the accompanist for the program.  Jeff Richins ran the sound for the program, and Ada Marie Campbell ran the lights.

Ralph Bennett tuned the piano.  Christine Smith helped with aspects of the musical production.  The Malad City Crew helped move the piano into the location.  Doug and Stephanie Crowther provided a place to stay for the Sullivan and Gessleman.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre has been in existence for over fifty years, and has visited every state in the country to put on productions with local youth.  The MCT has also toured internationally in countries such as Iran, Italy, and Japan, working with the military to provide entertainment and education to children worldwide.

In an average year, about 65,000 kids go through the audition process with MCT, and the plays are run in front of around 750,000 audience members.    

The Malad Elementary PTO was once again the driving force in bringing the Children’s Theatre to town, and an extra shout out was given to Melanie Coleman, Lisa Wright, ShaNae Blaisdell, Amber Allen, Jeanny Miller.

The sponsors involved in the production included Hess Pumice, Oneida Gamily Dental, Oneida County Library.  Cosmic Crisp Apples.  National Endowment for the Arts.  Montana Cultural Trust.  Montana Arts Council.

It will be interesting to see what the Children’s Theatre can do next year to top this fantastic production!