ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- For over 20 years, the Missoula Children’s Theater (MCT) has toured throughout military bases to boost morale and bring military children grades one through twelve together. This year’s production is titled, Alice in Wonderland. The play will be performed on Saturday, June 16 at 3pm and 530pm at the Freedom Community Center (FCC) on Altus AFB.
In five days, MCT teaches children basic acting and team building skills. The program gives children an opportunity to practice learning lines, moving about on stage and speaking in public while boosting their confidence.
Mrs. Teresa Givens, spouse of Col. Howard Givens, 97th Medical Group commander, has a daughter performing in the production this week. “The children audition on Monday morning and perform Friday/Saturday. During that week, the children learn their lines, songs and choreography. The directors know how to bring the best skills out of the children. The teamwork between the cast and crew is why this week is great for making new friends after a summer move.”
The children create relationships with one another that last far beyond their week in the program.
“It is during that week that magic happens,” said U.S. Air Force Major General Jack Briggs II, director of operations for Headquarters U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. “The kids show up and instantly meet new friends. This will carry over into the school year where they won’t have to show up and not know a soul and have to eat lunch alone. This is the great fear for children who repeat this process every two to four years. The simple act of hosting MCT builds a military community from the ground up. How powerful is that?”
The show is free and all patrons with base access are invited to come support the children as they sing, dance, and perform to a classic story of silliness, friendship and imagination.