Photo By Eryn Navarro | YOKOSUKA, Japan (August 8, 2025) – CFAY CYP partnered with Missoula Children’s...... read more read more
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YOKOSUKA, Japan — The Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) Red Truck Tour made a stop at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) this summer, offering a weeklong musical theater workshop for youth in the community, culminating in a performance of Robin Hood.
In partnership with Child and Youth Programs (CYP), the free workshop was open to students in grades 1 through 12. Over the course of one week, 64 students memorized lines, learned songs and choreography, and practiced stage directions – skills that came together in a full-stage production performed Aug. 8 at the Benny Decker Theater.
CFAY CYP has partnered with MCT for the past four years to bring this unique experience to the community’s youth. The Red Truck Tour travels to U.S. military installations around the globe and has been doing so for more than 25 years. This summer, tour directors Maddy Ballard and Kassidy Kampmeier made their way to Yokosuka, stopping at Okinawa, Kadena, Misawa, Sasebo, and Atsugi along the way.
“We’re thankful the Navy has funded this program,” said Brad Schmid, CFAY school liaison officer. “Especially overseas, it's incredible that kids have the chance to explore the arts – music, theater, and dance – all completely free.”
MCT was founded in the 1970s by Jim Caron and Don Collins in Missoula, Montana. The idea of casting local children began after winter travel complications forced the company to recast Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs using children from towns along their route. The response was so positive that the company adopted the model permanently.
Today, MCT works with more than 65,000 children annually in all 50 U.S. states and 17 countries.
“We do this not just to put on a performance, but to teach kids bravery and that they’re capable of great things,” said Ballard. “It’s about giving them skills like self-confidence, public speaking, and teamwork – that will last a lifetime.”
Auditions for this year’s production of Robin Hood took place Monday, Aug. 4, in the Kinnick High School Little Theater. Some of the older students prepared material, while younger ones were asked to recite their name and age with varying emotions. By lunchtime, the cast list was posted, and rehearsals began.
Maddy Ballard and Kassidy Kampmeier led the students through exercises in acting, voice, and movement throughout the week. In addition to the main workshop, MCT offered special sessions for the School Age Care (SAC) programs and teen center, allowing even more children to participate.
When asked about the rehearsals, Kampmeier shared, “We push them to learn quickly, but it’s clear they’re all eager to be here and dedicated to learning their parts. This group is full of energy – they love being on stage and adding their own unique flair to the characters.”
“The kids never doubt their ability or think they can’t do it,” Ballard added. “They rise to the occasion every time. It’s truly inspiring to watch.”
Notably, Kinnick High School junior Mary Shepard provided live piano accompaniment for the performance – an honor usually filled with pre-recorded music. “I’ve been playing piano for 12 years, and it’s been so much fun working on this production,” Mary shared. This marks the third consecutive year a student has been chosen to play piano for the show.
As the week came to a close, Schmid reassured us that the production would be ready. “Missoula provides everything – props, costumes, a full backdrop. It looks completely professional,” he said. “You walk in on Monday thinking, ‘There’s no way they’ll pull this off,’ but by Friday, they’ve memorized all the lines and songs. It’s truly incredible.”
On Friday afternoon, the young performers gathered backstage as the theater filled with parents, friends, and community members, all buzzing with excitement. When the curtains opened and the music began, the students brought the story of Robin Hood to life through their acting, singing, and dancing.
By the end of the show, the audience erupted into applause, rising to their feet for a standing ovation to celebrate the students’ hard work and talent.
“We aim to inspire audiences and contribute to the cultural vitality of every community we serve.” The Missoula Children’s Theatre mission states. “To be a place where creativity thrives, and where the magic of live performance is accessible to all.”
The experience with MCT is one that the young students will not soon forget and will undoubtedly look forward to again in the future.
For more than 80 years, CFAY has provided, maintained, and operated base facilities and services in support of the U.S. 7th Fleet's forward-deployed naval forces, tenant commands, and thousands of military and civilian personnel and their families.
| Date Taken: | 08.12.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.13.2025 23:05 |
| Story ID: | 545460 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 35 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, CFAY Hosts Missoula Children’s Theatre Workshop, Culminating in Robin Hood Performance, by Eryn Navarro, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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