Bringing Neverland Home

Mike Moore photos
Brook Redig (top row, from left), Abner Fleetwood, Rebekah Icenogle, Nicholas Harvey (bottom row, from left), Ian Hollingsworth, Carissa Rich and other students practice for the upcoming performance of “Peter and Wendy” led by Missoula Children’s Theatre. Students will put on two shows this Saturday at the Glenrock Intermediate School auditorium.

By: 
Mike Moore mike@glenrockind.com

As multicolored lights illuminated the stage at the Glenrock Intermediate School, a stream of eager children rushed down the aisle and took their seats following the end of school on Tuesday.
As they huddled around Missoula Children’s Theatre tour staff Matthew Porter and Hadley Williams. The pair have traveled together the past year teaching children from around the country the play, “Peter and Wendy.”
They know the play word for word, as in just five short days they are required to teach and put on a successful show for public consumption.
It’s a busy week of long rehearsals and short deadlines for young actors and actresses to memorize their lines, but Porter said this group of 62 students were on point from day one.
“Already, the energy is infectious,” he said moments before Tuesday’s practice session.  “These kids are so dedicated and excited.”
Although the company is based out of Missoula, Montana, the Missoula Children’s Theatre has numerous tour staff duos conducting week-long residencies teaching performing arts to young students around the world.
Porter hails from Detroit, Michigan where he studied theatre/musical theatre at Siena Heights University. As for Williams, she grew up in Toledo, Ohio, and is working on her theatre/speech communications degree also at Siena Heights University.
On Monday, auditions were held to fill 58 acting roles and four backstage positions for the show. By Wednesday, Porter said they were expected to know their lines and will round out the week with extensive rehearsing after school.
Following a week-long crash course learning their lines and practicing proper movements around the stage, the youngsters will host a pair of performances this weekend. Porter says this play is something Glenrock folks won’t want to miss.
“Everyone should come out and support them,” he said. “Their enthusiasm is so wonderful.”
Shows will take place this coming Saturday at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the GIS auditorium.

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