RANKIN INLET - The Missoula Children's Theatre added to its string of hits in Rankin Inlet this past week with a rousing production of Pinocchio.

Missoula began coming to Rankin in 2001 and this marked the first time the troupe featured Pinocchio.

Despite those sunny smiles, Fox (Isabella Bruce) and Cat (Tera Yarema) were a pair of shady characters in the Missoula Children's Theatre production of Pinocchio in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Event co-ordinator Julie Millen said the number of senior and male students who auditioned this year rose dramatically.

She said it was good to see more seniors, especially boys, answer the call.

"The actor-directors who came this year were LeAnn Casey Bjornrud and Brandon Price," said Millen.

"LeAnn did a fantastic job as Mrs. Geppetto and Stromboli, while Brandon did a great job directing.

"They did a show for our three schools on the afternoon of Sept. 17, and a public show that same evening.

"The total number of kids who came out to audition stayed consistent at about 180, with 60 actually being cast to appear in the play."

The show was backed by the Kivalliq Inuit Association through funding from Heritage Canada's Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre.

Millen said there were a large number of kids out this year who had performed in past Missoula productions.

She said the annual show has remained popular with kids because they really enjoy performing before their friends and family.

"The crowd for the public performance keeps getting bigger every year.

"And, a good reason for that is the performances are so good every year.

"The kids put everything they have into it, and they want to perform well."

Millen said the Missoula troupe has made a positive impact on hundreds of young kids in Rankin during the past eight years.

She said the kids who work with the Missoula actors benefit in a number of ways.

"This is all about fun and personal growth, and being part of the production really helps boost their self-esteem and self-confidence.

"Their sense of teamwork and their team-building skills also improve from being in the show.

"Once they're picked they have to work together to produce good results, so the show stretches them to be the best they can be.

"They get really driven to perform well, and you always see the pride they take from a good performance."