L. Jannetti : The Missoula children's theater segment was wonderful. It really gave a lift to another rainy day that - up to then - featured the usual depressing news. It reminded me of the old Sunday Morning shows on CBS that made me look forward to getting up in the morning.....

DocC : Wonderful, wonderful segment. Thanks again, Mr. Brown!

Kathleen Carothers : I can't thank you enough for the segment on the Missoula Children' Theatre. I taught theatre to children for 22 years,first in Detroit and then at the fairly well known School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati,Ohio. When I see arts programs once again being taken out of the schools first in economic hard times I can only shake my head at how ignorant people are about how the arts help children to grow and thrive and develop resources they never knew they had. It's such a thrill to see this wonderful program thriving.

Vince Simeon : Thanks to Jeffery Brown for producing this segment and to "Newshour" for airing it. When it began, I wondered why this piece was being aired, but after a minute, I realized the value to the kids of appearing in a play.

Jeanne Horvath : I was delighted to see Jim Caron's Missoula Children's Theatre featured on tonight's show. My children participated in that program in two different Montana locations(Missoula around 1981 and Inverness in 1996) and the plays were wonderful, fun learning experiences for them. Such great energy! Thanks for the piece.

carol : What a wonderful story this is!! At a time when arts programs are losing funding and closing down Missoula understands how important the arts are to children and society. Thanks for this.

Patsy Hunter : Thank you, that was a wonderful segment - and to watch the children was a delight. So glad the program is doing well, children need the arts so much and schools short-change them when they cut the arts out of the curriculum. Thanks!

Dorothy Carter : What a wonderful story. It brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing.

Brett Janecek : I grew up performing in MCT productions and went to their acting camp. As a boy from Montana, theatre was hardly in my cultural horizon... And now I'm studying for my MFA in theatre and working professionally in Chicago and New York City on developing new plays! MCT had a little something to do with giving me the inspiration and hope to achieve my dreams! :-)

Bob Knoll : What a great segment this evening on Missoula Children's Theatre. MCT has touched our grandson and classmates in rural Salmon, Idaho. (Pop-3,000) They have provided an enriching experience like no other and we applaud them deeply. Thanks!

Godson : Just cant keep him down! Keep on truckin unc!

TC : I worked for MCT several years ago, and cannot stress enough how important the company is to this country, where arts programs are shriveling and kids are exposed less and less to such vital confidence-building programs. If MCT could come to every community in the nation, every year, our youth would be a powerful force to reckon with. I'm so happy to see the company getting such great publicity. Rent the DVD, Little Red Truck, go to the MCT website, contribute to the company, bring them to your community. The rewards are invaluable.

Kate : Thank you for showing the country what a great thing MCT is and has been. I was in my first MCT production when I was 4 (32 years ago), and thought of Jim as the kind and gruff Uncle. I kept performing at MCT in Missoula through high school, and loved it all. I am a teacher now, and maybe I will go audition for a play after being reminded of the magic that it is! Thanks, MCT, Jim, and PBS.

Kristin Walter : I was fortunate enough to be able to work as a Tour Actor for MCT in the mid-90s. I've continued to teach and direct kids full time, but nothing can ever compare with the experience I had there. I learned so much from the staff at MCT and from the kids on the tour, and I use those lessons every day. I even met my husband there - he was another Tour Actor - and we cannot thank this company and Jim Caron enough for what they do.

Sterling : The take-home message from this segment, for me, is that individuals with passion, skill, perservance, adaptability, and talent (or even some of these) can really make a difference in the world. MCT has made a difference for me and for my kids and I thank them very much for making the world a better place using the tools they had our could invent.

Bobbijean : I worked for Missoula Children's Theatre several years ago! The company is every bit as amazing at it sounded in that short segment! Even after nearly 10 years I can name some of the amazing children I worked with and can tell you all of the towns I worked. Those experiences shaped my life every bit as much as I may have shaped the lives of the children with whom I worked.

Gayle Orloski : Thank you for the outstanding reminder of "Nothing you do for children is ever wasted" (Keillor).

Alicia : As a student pursuing a degree in Theatre Education, this segment very effectively summed up my attitude towards the importance of arts education to every child. It brought tears to my eyes to see children grow and thrive after only a week of immersion in theatre. Imagine what it could do for kids if they had the opportunity to develop these skills year-round.

robin ferre : We live in a small community, Sequim WA and MCT has been coming to our town for years. My daughter auditioned for the first time 3 years ago when she was 12. She has performed in 3 MCT productions and right now she is at the inaugural Next Step Academy started by MCT this year with 27 other students from around the country! What an awesome opportunity she is having and it all began with that "little" show she auditioned for 3 years ago. She just turned "Sweet 16" yesterday and is spending 7 weeks at the academy and getting to know Mr. Caron and his family as well! She is learning a tremendous amount in this short time span.

John Lingnofski : After my daughter graduated from theater school in New York, she spent a year as a TAD. Her stories about kids blossoming in the most remote places made us proud and gave her a burning desire to make a difference in the lives of young people. MCT still calls her from time to time and she makes time for them whenever she can.

brenda owens : I cannot measure the positive impact MCT has had on our family. We have six children and live in very rural area of Texas. Our oldest two children first auditioned for MCT back in 1998 and our kids have not missed an MCT performance yet! MCT has been a God-send to our children in giving them the opportunity to explore and discover a love and appreciation for the arts. All of my children now are actively involved in the arts. My 20 year-old son is attending college to pursue his dream of writing screenplays, acting in, directing, and producing movies; my oldest daughter aspires to be a Broadway dancer, my second daughter, to be in Broadway musicals and is currently attending the MCT Performing arts high school, Next Step Prep, in preparation for that career. I believe MCT was the instrument God used to awaken the individual gifts my children have and build each one's confidence to dream and pursue careers not common to our area. Thank you, MCT, for all you've come to mean to our family, as well as our community. God bless you all!

Wendy : I just returned home from the MCT auditions in Austin, Texas. Both my 13 and 10 year old children were cast in Jack and the Beanstalk. My oldest daughter has appeared in MCT productions (sponsored by the Paramount Theatre here in Austin) 7 times. This program is amazing. It has been a huge part of our summers for the past decade and we are so grateful for the ongoing commitment of MCT to bring this opportunity to kids all ever the country.

Tom Blemings : I am currently a Tour Actor/Director for MCT and have been for 3 years. I love this job!! MCT is an amazing experience for all involved; from the kids to the Tour Actors to the parents. It's a positive, uplifting, confidence building, happy experience that you will never forget!! Bring MCT to your town!!

BEA DAVIS : It was wonderful to see dedicated young people helping to keep theatre alive for youngsters.

Karen E. : We just returned home from the two Saturday performances of MCT The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. Our 5 year old and 8 year old were cast in this (their first play) as chamelions. It was amazing not only to see what all the children and MCT staff accomplished in one short week, but also to see the change in our children. On Monday at auditions, it took all the courage they could muster just to audition for a part and they weren't sure they would be brave enough to perform if they got a part. Tonight, after the performance, they're already talking about next year and saying they can't wait to audition for a part!

Madison : Being from Missoula, MCT has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I've been in the school productions, productions at the theatre and it's the reason I got into theatre in high school. My high school didn't have the greatest theatre program, but MCT always opened it's doors for our classes and let us be a part of so many of it's productions. I'm proud of Jim and everyone at MCT that have made it such a legendary establishment and hope it continues on for years to come. Thanks PBS for a great segment!