Local children star in “The Pied Piper” Published June 17, 2009 By Danielle Lutes 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- This summer, local children had the opportunity to be a part of the Missoula Performing Arts production of "The Pied Piper," June 12, in the Base Auditorium. The children rehearsed for four and a half hours a day for four days to put on the play. Tabatha Bettin and Lissa Supler are two of the leaders who ran the camp and taught the children at Vance. This is the first year of working with Missoula for both of them and their favorite part is working with the children. "The children are amazing and really talented," said Ms. Bettin. Tim Johnson, who played councilman number 2 in the production, likes the Missoula Performing Arts program because it gives him a chance to act. This was his fourth year of working with Missoula. "If you want to start acting," Tim said, "this is the place to start." Charity Davis, who took on the role of a rat, had fun being in the show. This was her first play and she likes being on stage. The Missoula Performing Arts version of, "The Pied Piper," is based on the original story with a couple of twists. The play takes place in Hamelin Town, where there used to be no smiling allowed because of a grouchy mayor. The town's main problem was an infestation of rats. The Pied Piper seemed to be the answer to the rat problem as he takes the rats away, but takes the children away as well. The children are not gone for long, and when they return they bring joy and laughter to a town where laughter used to be forbidden. The Missoula Performing Arts visits towns around the United States and the world, conducting week-long performing arts camps that culminate in a show staring local children.