Students take center stage

For more than 45 years Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT) has been doing an incredible job of enhancing children's lives through the art of theatre. As they travel throughout the state, Sanders County is fortunate enough to be one of their destinations.

Thompson Falls Elementary secretary Diane Hedahl and kindergarten teacher, and coordinator for the Falls MCT event, Amy Laws, could not quite place an exact count on the number of years MCT has performed at the school. But after lots of thinking, it was agreed that the show has been ongoing for more than 35 years.

Hedahl recalls the days when her daughter was casted in the plays. During those times cast parties were given after Friday evening performances. She recollected "being in charge" of making cakes large enough to feed 200 people.

"I remember making a Rip Van Winkle cake, with gnomes standing around while Rip was sleeping," she said describing what she labeled as being the best cake she made for the event. During that era, time was on her side. She was not working the long hours as an office secretary, and she did not have her youngest son yet.

"It was a week-long process," she said of making the cakes. "I would match the theme and sometimes draw the playbill on top. I had to have these huge cakes done by Thursday, in time for the show on Friday!" But Hedahl claims that back in the days, "I loved doing it."

"The weirdest cake I had made was when I hurt my hand, couldn't even move it. Turns out I broke my elbow. I couldn't finish the cake," she laughed, although probably didn't find it very funny at the time. "But, the show must go on! I had to teach my husband how to decorate it," she said while joyously reminiscing about patiently teaching him how to pipe boarders on a cake by pushing his arm along.

Although cast parties have long been put to rest, rest assured the kids are still having a blast when MCT comes to town.

Monday afternoon, 88 kids, from kindergarten to high school, auditioned for parts in MCT's version of Aladdin. Laws figured there were roughly 30 parts available, which is always hard on the kids who do not land a role.

Those who were selected have their work cut out for them. Rehearsals, beginning right after school until 8 p.m., will continue all week long to master line and song memorization and movement patterns in preparation for this Friday's performances. Two shows will take place, one at 12:30 p.m. and again at 7 p.m., in the Thompson Falls Junior High gymnasium.

Even though tears were shed by those not casted, there is no doubt that the two hours spent in auditions was an enjoyable time; the gym was filled with a plentitude of smiles and giggles.