Missoula Children's Theater summer tour rolls through Columbus AFB Published June 10, 2008 By Jana Hall 14th Force Support Squadron COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. -- Columbus AFB youth have had a busy week of auditions and rehearsals preparing for the Missoula Children's Theater summer production of "Hansel and Gretel" set for Saturday at 3 p.m. at Kaye Auditorium. "The show is free and we hope everyone will come out and see our talented kids show their stuff," Youth Programs Director Kayline Hamilton said. "They've been working hard and learning a lot from the pros that have come all the way from Montana to teach and direct them." The auditions were packed on Monday morning with 44 youth, from 1st to 12th grade, showing up to try out for the week-long drama camp which was offered free of charge and open to all CAFB youth. "We were excited to see so many eager faces wanting to participate," said Danielle Papet, one of the three actor/directors from the Missoula troupe. "We are certainly happy that all of those who came out have a role in the play." Following the feature presentation of the production Saturday, the Missoula group, comprised of Papet, Shawna Smith and Diana Moore, all college graduates trained in theater, will rest up and hit the road early Sunday for their next stop in Demopolis, Ala. They will spend five weeks in Alabama and then head to Arkansas for a two-week stint, then one week in Illinois and another in Virginia before wrapping their summer tour. "We'll have a short break before the fall tour starts and then another break at Christmas," Papet said. But all the time on the road is worth it, she said. "It's great to see the kids get excited about the theater. Perhaps one day one of these children will be touring with Missoula."
