MCT

Eli Halterman, center, Missoula Children’s Theatre tour actor and director, rehearses a scene from the MCT’s musical version of Rapunzel with children from the local community Aug. 6, 2015, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The MCT tours throughout every state in America and 16 different countries with the goal of developing resiliency and life skills in children through performing arts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Krystal Ardrey/Released)

MCT

Chelsey Campbell, Missoula Children’s Theatre tour actor and director, speaks to a group of children from the local community about their lines Aug. 6, 2015, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Campbell was one of two tour actors and directors who traveled to Incirlik AB to assist the local children in putting on the MCT’s musical version of Rapunzel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Krystal Ardrey/Released)

Children's theatre aims to build confidence, resiliency

Published Aug. 14, 2015
By Senior Airman Krystal Ardrey
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- With a mission of developing life skills in children, the Missoula Children's Theatre, held a week-long workshop for children at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey Aug. 3 through 8, here.

During the week-long workshop, the company's two directors held auditions and daily rehearsals and staged a full production of the musical Rapunzel. In total, 34 children; grades first through twelfth, from Incirlik Air Base participated in the stage production.

"It is a very well thought-out program," said Chelsey Campbell, MCT tour actor and director. "[The children] know that they worked together to create something important and something fun."

Along with the production, the program is designed to incorporate education into the rehearsals in an effort to teach children about resiliency, life skills and boost their confidence.

"Teamwork is a big one," Campbell said. "Also, I think it is important to be able to present yourself in front of a large group of people. Whether that be as a character or just learning how to speak loud enough so everyone can hear you if you are going to be presenting in front of a group."

According to Campbell, producing a play in one week presents many challenges, but is made easier due to the efforts of the cast.

"You tell a child they can do something and he or she will believe you," said Campbell. "Adults have experienced a lot of failure and I think as we get older we fear that failure even more than kids do sometimes. So we tell them they can do it and they do. And we set up a support system for them. If it doesn't work the first time or if they fail on stage, we give them the opportunity to kind of experience that's what that's like ... then we go back and fix it."

Each year, the MCT travels to Air Force installations across the U.S., as well as 16 countries around the world.

"Even if your kids aren't in it and you have kids, bring your children," Campbell suggested. "They'll enjoy it. It's a funny show, it's silly and I think children like seeing other kids perform as well and seeing that ah, maybe I could do that next year."