Getting ready for this Saturday’s performance of Missoula Children’s Theatre production of Gulliver’s Travels are 56 local children ranging in ages from six to seventeen. They’re learning dances, songs and how to project their voices from the stage to the back of the Panida Theater. They’re learning discipline, timing and self-confidence.

MCT’s note to parent’s says it all: “Within each MCT cast, girls and boys are equal; the disabled become able; the shy experiment with bravery; the slow are rehearsed to perfection; and the gifted become part of the whole. The lesson they learn is that all of them are necessary for the show to go on. Few arenas exist where responsibility is taught and learned so clearly.”

Pend Oreille Arts Council is proud to once again bring MCT to our community. Besides conducting auditions and strenuous rehearsals this week, the MCT staff has also done workshops in our local schools for non-participating school children. These workshops help our youth assimilate how performing arts can teach valuable life skills such as teamwork, communication, social skills, work ethic and self-esteem.

The fledgling thespians in this year’s production are: Gulliver 1, Jasmine Mearns; Gulliver 2, Fletcher Barrett; King, Jadon Shackleford; Queen, McKellyn Miller; Princess, Priya Sullivan; Wasp, Odin Clark; JCN, Beatrice Halsted; Maniacal Scientist, Catie Clum; Horses, Lis Fonseca, Alia Schmitt, Laura Boge, Chrissy Clum; Yahoos, Matthew Cole, Clarice Halsted, Maddyson Setliff, Ruby Giles, Ivy Hawk, Genevive Newson, Gabriel Mecias, Oliver Porietas, Reed Bradburn; Robots, Asah Shackleford, Anya Keseloff, Denali Terry, Ada Greve, Kodiak Ellis, Harley Pitner, Camille McClellan, Carley Clum, Berkeley Cox; Lilliputians, Josie Cox, Ari Higgins, Alexander Halsted, Madea Moon, Joel Cuhm, Brice Bradburn, Owen Hedgecock; Blefuscudians, Dylan Halsted, Alora Weisz, Nora Lynn Leste, Syrinnia Mosh, Ida Gavis, Maddie Jordan, Hannah Munsen, Sierra Zuberbueller, Wilhelm Anderson, Kyler Charleswood, Leia Clark, Lena Cates, Gabriel Otis, Emily Otis. The Assistant Directors are Regan Young, Jaydlin Beckett, Bennett Moran and Allana Halsted

Gulliver’s Travels, a version unlike any other, will have two performances on Saturday, April 29 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m at the Panida. Tickets are available at the POAC Office, Eve’s Leaves, Eichardt’s, Winter Ridge and at the box office a half hour before each show. Cost is $10 for adults, children 18 and under $5. For more information go to www.artinsandpoint.org.