Rankin Inlet (Oct 01/03) - Cast members weren't the only ones smiling as they walked away from the production of Rumpelstiltskin this past month in Rankin Inlet.

The travelling players with the Missoula Children's Theatre from Montana also left grinning from ear from ear.

Maani Ulujuk middle school teacher and show accompanist Julie Millen says it has become a tradition to expose the actor-directors to a bit of Northern culture during their stay.

"Taking them out to the elders cabin has become a regular activity," says Millen.

"But, this year, they were also taken out on the land to go searching for caribou.

"They didn't get to see any -- and they got really, really muddy from riding on the Hondas -- but they still enjoyed the experience." Local photographer Randy Miller donated his time to present a slide show of scenes from various communities revolving around life in the Kivalliq.

And, to top it all off, the Northern Lights put on one of their most dazzling displays of the year.

"When Jessica (Nievinski) and Scott (Davis) spoke at the end of the play, they thanked the Rankin people for all the tremendous hospitality they were shown. They said they've never felt more welcome in a community."

Millen says she was impressed again this year by the level of performance the students were able to deliver with less than a week of auditions and practice time.

She says more students auditioned for Rumpelstiltskin than the previous two plays. "We had about 300 people come out for the main show, which was a bit more than last year. The audience really seemed to enjoy the singing and dancing, and they laughed at all the jokes."

Millen says the students were pleased with their performances and are already looking forward to next year.