Veteran Actors Lead a Successful Jack and the Beanstalk Performance
Author: MT 43 News Staff Reporter
Veteran Actors Lead a Successful Jack and the Beanstalk Performance
MT 43 News Staff Reporter
Cameron Clementis and Keegan Penny are veteran Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) performers who have produced 17 shows of Jack and the Beanstalk this year. Townsend’s performance at the Lodge on Saturday was exceptional for them.
Clementis said the show at The Lodge was the smallest venue and the smallest group of kids they had worked with. They usually work with 50 or 60 kids in each show. They enjoyed the small group though. “The six days we worked together with 19 enthusiastic, lively kids was fun. It was more intimate because we could work with each student, rather than big groups. We liked that,” she commented.
Clementis, who is from Rochester, New York, graduated in 2022 from University of Montana with a Bachelor’s Arts degree in Musical Theater. She worked in theater in Florida for a year, then hired on with MCT. Their on-the-road touring takes them all over the Northwest. In Montana, they produced shows at schools in St. Regis, Florence, Kalispell and Gardiner. Townsend was their last show.
Penny, also a 2022 UM graduate, said people in the smaller towns are more appreciative and enthusiastic than those in large cities. “I think people in small towns don’t have access to theater much, so they really enjoy what we do,” he said
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Both actors explained their long-term goal is to work full-time in their field because they enjoy theater and kids. Clementis shared as a child she was coerced into theater and was glad for it. “Mrs. Cleveland, my fifth-grade teacher, sparked my interest. I was a shy kid. Once I got on stage I loved it.”
The Townsend group of students from ages five to twelve, began practicing their parts on Monday and by Saturday were singing and dancing. They performed well through two performances on Saturday.
Broadwater Community Theater coordinator Amanada Hazlett would like to thank Lori Morris, pianist and all the local sponsors as well as Cosmic Crisp, Inc. of Washington State, Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, Broadwater Community Foundation.
Local sponsors are Townsend Flooring and Cabinetry, James and Deanna Koester, Jan Hubber, Townsend Rotary, Watson Irrigation, Patrick Plantenberg, Mary Mistek, Bird’s Nest, Judy Schenk, Tom Perry, Bob Saxby, Dan and Jeannie Mainwaring, Ron and Mary Ann Salladay, Beth Ihle, Helena Handbasket and STOKE. She also thanks Brand Conroy, Dawn Langlinais, John and Sharon Hughes, Nancy Marks, Gary and Leann Bauman, Hugh van Swearingen, Jenny Clowes, James and Katie Ackerman, Kathleen Curtis, John Hahn, Canyon Ferry Brewery, COSTCO, Bob’s Supermarket and Canton Women’s Club.
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43 News photographer
Image 1 Caption: Jack and the Beanstalk actors pose for a curtain call Saturday.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News photographer
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