Local students appear on Somers stage

Somers Middle School was teeming with chameleons, goats and a wise-cracking boar Saturday as the Missoula Children's Theatre's tour team presented "The Amazing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe."

Two members from the theatre's tour team worked with a cast of roughly 60 students from Somers and Lakeside last week to put together the show in five days.

Two performances were held Saturday.

This is the 27th year the children's theatre has come to Somers to work with local kids. The Somers Parent-Teacher Association sponsors the program.

"The hardest part about it is you get to spend a week with these kids, but you don't get to see the lasting results," said Addie Barnhart, director of the show.

Each tour has its own challenges including space constraints, costumes that are not the right size and limited time.

"Part of the job is being flexible," Barnhart said.

Barnhart said she enjoys the first three days, teaching the kids and getting to know them. Performance day can be a challenge as the kids get extra excited, she said.

Barnhart said she hopes the students walk away having learned from the experience.

"I hope they learn that arts isn't just something you do one time," Barnhart said. "They are learning life skills through theatre. That exposure isn't always available to them."

Saila Rogge, who played the lead as Robinson Crusoe, has been participating in Missoula Children's Theatre shows since she was in kindergarten. This was her first lead.

"You get to know the directors a lot better and connect with the whole cast," Rogge said of having a main role.

Since very few eighth and seventh graders tried out this year, Rogge said she figured she had a pretty good shot at the lead, but she was still surprised. It was a taxing week, with lots of lines to memorize, which Rogge said is one of the key challenges to the rigorous schedule with the children's theatre.

It was Judah Justine's third year trying out for the theatre. Justine, 12, who plays Wild Board Willy in this year's production, says every year is different and he learns something each time from the experience.

"It really helped me learn how to express myself and to be able to not feel weird for being expressive," Justine said.

Rogge recommends other students try the theatre next time it's in town.

"It's really fun," Rogge said. "Even if you don't make it when you try out, you can always come back again."