Local Knowledge: The Little Red Truck
The Missoula Children’s Theatre through the filmmakers’ lens
Jim Caron and Don Collins in 1970 when they decided to drop anchor on their wanderings and set up a theatre company in Missoula.
photos courtesy Tree and Sky Media Arts, Missoula Children‘s Theatre
The Little Red Truck filmmakers Pam Voth and Rob Whitehair with their dog, Satchmo.
photos courtesy Tree and Sky Media Arts, Missoula Children‘s Theatre
The little red trucks travel from town to town bringing the magic of Missoula Children‘s Theatre to 1,200 communities each year.
photos courtesy Tree and Sky Media Arts, Missoula Children‘s Theatre
Everyone’s favorite rooster gets into makeup. photos courtesy Tree and Sky Media Arts, Missoula Children‘s Theatre
In Somerton, Ariz., Jose plays the part of Bobby Jo and gets
a big laugh every time he purposely sings off key. photo courtesy Tree and Sky Media Arts
Students in St. Joseph perform the barnyard symphony. photo courtesy Tree and Sky Media Arts
A young cast member in Hollywood auditions for a role in Little Mermaid. photo courtesy Tree and Sky Media Arts
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The model at first was to do productions for kids. Then while producing Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, the pair realized they could actually do a production with all kids. The idea blossomed and from booking a single production the first year, the operation has grown dramatically. In 2008 Missoula Children’s Theatre will put on more then 1,200 productions, Caron said.
“It’s found a niche especially in rural America where kids don’t have any professionally guided arts experience,” he said.
And though the tour directors are dedicated to putting on a quality production, the focus is primarily on giving kids a chance to discover something about themselves, Caron said.
“Mostly the kids discover their own individuality,” he said. “If you just squint in a perfect light you can actually see the light bulb come on over their heads.”
The young actors suddenly understand that if they work hard, pay attention and risk putting themselves on stage, they will receive an instant and glorious reward — people will cheer for them.
“It couldn’t be any clearer or [more] instantaneous,” Caron said.
Whitehair and Voth, who both point out the importance of art in their lives, instantly made a connection with the theatre’s mission.
“It’s really not about acting,” said Whitehair. “It’s about developing these skills in kids they could take with them the rest of their lives.”
To capture the story of Missoula Children’s Theatre, Voth and Whitehair filmed at eight locations, five of which are featured in the documentary.
“What we caught on camera was actually very raw,” Whitehair said. “We discover it as the tour directors do.”
As the film switches between productions in Rankin Inlet, to a tiny neighborhood school in Hollywood, to Harrisonburg, Pa., to Americus, Ga., to Somerton, Ariz., what the filmmakers allow their viewers to discover is that a child, whom people had written off as troubled or ungifted, can become Robin Hood, Maid Marian or the Frog Prince.
Corey Roberts is one of the tour directors in the film. During a candid interview in the documentary she speaks to the importance of what the theatre offers.
  
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