Dozens of local kids take part in the Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theater’s annual Christmas show each year. This year, they are taking on “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” based on the animated classic.

Company members chatted with the Bigfork Eagle ahead of their opening weekend to answer questions about why they love the BPCT and what they enjoy about being on stage (or behind it!)

15-year-old Payton Kallenberger has been with the BPCT for five years. In “Rudolph” she’s playing “Dasher.” She said she loves the environment of the children’s theater, adding that it’s very welcoming and a great place to grow and learn. A dancer trained in ballet, she said being part of these productions has helped her gain confidence.

“For me, it helped me kind of come out of my shell. I was very quiet. I did not like public speaking at all. But now I'm able to actually have a conversation with someone and start conversations with people, which helps with meeting new people,” Kallenberger said.

Once the cast list is decided, the group hits the ground running. Their Christmas show poses a unique challenge compared to shows other times a year— because they are off for the Thanksgiving holiday they must practice at home to succeed at rehearsal. Until it’s time for opening weekend, they rehearse from 4:30 to 8 p.m. a few nights a week.

15-year-old Jennifer Whitney agrees that it takes a lot of practice to put on their shows. She’s been participating since 3rd grade and will be playing “Vixen” in this year’s show. She enjoys how BPCT feels like “another family.” She loves the challenge of numbers where she sings and dances. She said the theater is a great place to get out her extra energy.

“I think for me, it helped almost tame a wild side I had when I was younger, it's a place to put all that energy that I have— especially when I was little,” Whitney said.

Her favorite show she’s been a part of was 2020’s “Wild, Wild, Wildest West” a popular favorite among the performers interviewed.

10-year-old Molly Bell has been part of the theater for 10 shows and plays an enthusiastic elf in “Rudolph.” She is very musical, playing guitar, piano and tin whistle. But, she also loves to sing and dance. She said “We are Santa’s Elves” the song the elves perform for Santa and Mrs. Claus might be her favorite number of the show.

She said when preparing to audition it’s best to set your expectations because so many people are interested in performing with the BPCT.

“When you get in, it's really exciting. But you never know, like for me, I never really expect that I'm gonna get in because there's so many people— it's usually like at least twice as much as they're going to put in the cast,” Molly Bell said. “I just try and expect that I'm not going to get in, then if I don't, it's like usual, and then if I do then it's nice. But then if you do get cut, it is disappointing, but I always think it's like a second chance, so I just go back and do it again for the next show,”

Behind the scenes, 18-year-old Campbell Bach has been on the tech crew for nine years. He said he started off on stage, but tried tech and I just enjoyed it better. The “tech” crew are people who control lighting, special effects and help with costume and scene changes. They are a big part of making a show run smoothly. Bach said his job requires lots of memorization, making sure they know their cues and when things are happening. He said for “Rudolph” he is excited to see their fog machine in action.

16-year-old Keeva Clark said it is her second year on the tech crew. She really likes the atmosphere of theater, but doesn’t like performing, so being behind the scenes is the perfect fit for her. She said she enjoys feeling like she’s doing something important. She said if anyone is interested in joining the BPCT they should give it a try.

“At least try it out because it's a really cool group of people, and it's a really fun place,” Clark said.

She’s looking forward to seeing “Silver and Gold” in “Rudolph,” a big ensemble musical number in the show.

13-year-old Micah Butler has been part of the theater for four years, and is playing “Cupid” the reindeer. He said dancing is his favorite part of theater, but enjoys the social aspect too. He said being part of BPCT has helped him be more comfortable speaking in front of other people. He’s looking forward to performing “Jingle Jingle Jingle,” which he says is his favorite dance number in the show.

Grace Bell is 13-year-old and has been with the BPCT for six years. This year, she is playing the “Spotted elephant misfit toy” missing her trunk. She said she enjoys getting outside her normal life and becoming someone else on stage. BCPT allows normal cliques to go away, she said, and makes hanging out with other kids not awkward. In “Rudolph” she’s excited to be able to hang out with friends.

“Well, my role is pretty small. So I think I'm most looking forward to a lot of time backstage to be able to hang out with people. And also I just love being on stage,” Grace Bell said.

12-year-old Rylee Wood is playing another misfit toy, a train with square wheels. She said she’s been part of BPCT for six years. Her favorite part of performing is singing, “I really like being in front of people,” she said. It’s an opportunity to show her skills and be part of a welcoming group.

“It just feels more accepting. Like, you might go to school or something, and you might get bullied. But then you come to the theater and you're like, ‘Hey, I'm not getting judged here. It's fun. People like me,’” Wood said.

Wood said Broadway is a big aspiration for her. Even though it’s far off, she could join the ranks of other Bigfork alumni who went on to perform there.

The final run for “Rudolph” takes place at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday Matinee on Dec.18 at 2 p.m. Regular ticket prices are $14 for Adults, $12 for Seniors, $1 for Students and $10 for children under 10 and can be purchased online or at the box office one hour prior to performances.