Young 'animals' steal Vance auditorium stage Published Nov. 20, 2006 By Staff Sgt. Amanda Savannah Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Raccoons, wolves, pigs and a woodsman took over the Vance auditorium Monday through today. No, the zoo wasn't involved, but the Missoula Children's Theatre performing arts camp was. Twenty-five Vance dependents, ranging in age from 6 to 17, practiced all week to perform the free play Red Riding Hood, which takes place 7 p.m. today in the auditorium and is open to the public. The camp was open to children of active-duty military, retirees, civilians, contractors, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. "This was a great way for the participants to use their drama skills while having fun," said Kate Holdeman, youth programs coordinator. "It also gave them the opportunity to see if they may be interested in a career in theater. It's important to offer them a variety of life-skill activities, and here they were able to interact with professionals." Air Education and Training Command randomly selects bases to host a team from the theatre, based in Missoula, Mont., which casts members, rehearses and performs a play during the camp. The shows are original adaptations of classic children's stories and fairytales. "It's so much fun spending our days on the stage with these young actors," said Marissa Badzioch, who has worked with Missoula Children's Theatre for three years. "A lot of the children here knew their lines by the second day. Performing with all of them is going to be a lot of fun." A few of the participants aren't new to the stage. Seventeen-year-old Adelious Stith II and his sister Quiyana, 15, children of Adelious and Master Sgt. Carolyn Stith, 71st Communications Squadron, were selected by AETC to attend a one-week residential camp for the theatre earlier this summer. Quiyana plays Red and Adelious is the assistant director. Matt Crowell, 17, son of Miles Crowell, Computer Sciences Corporation employee, and Jamie Crowell, school-age program director, plays the locksmith. "I was in a play at school two years ago and I had a good time," he said. "I thought the camp sounded like fun, and since I'm taking an acting class at Enid High School this year, I thought it would be a good warm up." This camp and others, such as the fitness and cheerleading camps Vance youth programs offered earlier this year, are paid for with funds allocated in support of youth to increase opportunities for them in a recreational or educational setting, Mrs. Holdeman said. "However, these aren't the only activities youth programs offers," she said. "There are so many other opportunities throughout the year just waiting for participants." For more information, call 7166.