Developing stars swim with "The Little Mermaid'

Missoula Children's Theatre has introduced thousands of children to acting for more than 30 years. This week, Al Seeliger Elementary School students are enjoying the intensive workshops that will culminate in a public performance on Friday.

Fifty-five students will act, sing and dance in the production of "The Little Mermaid." Another 120 students are participating in acting workshops during class time.

"It's the most exciting things my daughter's done a long time," said Valerie Sandoval, whose 8-year-old daughter Keightlyn Tighe is participating in the production.

Students waiting for their turn to rehearse were similarly excited.

Tenielle Plaut, 10, plays one of the scouts, who also play guards, soldiers, fish and together play one big dragon.

"We change to a lot of people and sing songs," she said. "I like the dragon best. It's one whole costume and we all get to speak one time inside of the dragon."

Sam Wilson, 9, also a scout, likes the way they get to "morph" into different creatures.

"I'm an octopus trying to write a poem in ink," he said about one of the parts he plays.

The students learn their parts under the tutelage of Missoula teachers Jonathan Gregory and Mackenzie Sherburn, who have experience with 25 productions of "The Little Mermaid."

Through the process of rehearsals, the students build creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication. The Missoula mission statement is "the development of lifeskills in children through participation in the performing arts.

Missoula Children's Theatre provides "an outlet for fine arts that's just at our school and free or affordable," said first grade teacher Robin Kato, the school's liaison with the company, comparing it to the community acting programs that can be too expensive for many families.

Gina Hill, with the Parent/Teachers Organization, wrote the grant requests pulled in funding from the Nevada Arts Council, Don and Gladys Langson Family Fund, and other fundraising efforts.

It all culminates with performances on Friday. At 1:30 p.m., the young thespians will perform in front of their classmates. The public performance will be at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose room of the school at 2800 South Saliman Road. To help cover costs, there is a suggested donation of $2 per persons.