Mr. Darling (Andrew Green) gives Michael (Parker Holt) a glass of water before sending him and his brother and sister to bed while Nana the dog (Deslie Houston), Liza the maid (Jocelyn Spilker), Wendy (Lydia Clark), Mrs Darling (Elise Dick) and John (Kately Hansen) watch on in the Mesquite Arts Council and Missoula Children’s Theatre’s version of Peter and Wendy which was performed on Feb. 6 at the Mesquite Community Theatre. Photo by Teri Nerhenz.

Mr. Darling (Andrew Green) gives Michael (Parker Holt) a glass of water before sending him and his brother and sister to bed while Nana the dog (Deslie Houston), Liza the maid (Jocelyn Spilker), Wendy (Lydia Clark), Mrs Darling (Elise Dick) and John (Kately Hansen) watch on in the Mesquite Arts Council and Missoula Children’s Theatre’s version of Peter and Wendy which was performed on Feb. 6 at the Mesquite Community Theatre. Photo by Teri Nerhenz.

When it comes to fostering an appreciation for the arts in the children in the local community, the Mesquite Arts Council goes for the gold and wins – every time. For nearly two generations they have continually adopted two programs each year and work with dozens of children in the area for the performing arts.

Missoula Children’s Theatre is one of those programs. On Monday, Feb. 1 dozens of children auditioned for part in the production “Peter and Wendy” which was co-sponsored by the Eureka Hotel and Casino. On Saturday, Feb. 6, some of Mesquite’s most talented youth, 64 to be exact, performed two exceptional shows.

Their brave leaders, Blaire Smith and Samantha Fabiani were “overjoyed and thrilled” to work with them for one short week and delighted with the results of their labors.

Cast as the main characters were Brooke Helsten (Peter), Lydia Clark (Wendy), Malia McOmie (Shadow), Jessica Janneck (Hook), Kately Hansen (John), Parker Holt (Michael), Emma Hughes (Tinkerbelle,) Shayla Martinez (Crocodile), Mae Galliher (Tiger Lily), Elise Dick (Mrs. Darling), Andrew Green (Mr. Darling), Jocelyn Spilker (Liza), Deslie Houson (Nana) and Blaire Smith as Smee.

All of the Neverland Creatures, lost boys, pirates and clouds come together to save Tiger Lily (Mae Galliher) from the evil Hook in the Mesquite Arts Council and Missoula Children’s Theatre’s version of Peter and Wendy which was performed on Feb. 6 at the Mesquite Community Theatre. Photo by Teri Nerhenz.

All of the Neverland Creatures, lost boys, pirates and clouds come together to save Tiger Lily (Mae Galliher) from the evil Hook in the Mesquite Arts Council and Missoula Children’s Theatre’s version of Peter and Wendy which was performed on Feb. 6 at the Mesquite Community Theatre. Photo by Teri Nerhenz.

The supporting cast members included the Lost Boys: Gracie Cramer, Emily Walsh, Eris Lewis, Sara Hurley, Summer Glieden and Madison Marshall.

Captain Hook (Jessica Janneck) spills his evil plans to capture Peter to the Neverland pirates in the Mesquite Arts Council and Missoula Children’s Theatre’s version of Peter and Wendy which was performed on Feb. 6 at the Mesquite Community Theatre. Photo by Teri Nerhenz.

Captain Hook (Jessica Janneck) spills his evil plans to capture Peter to the Neverland pirates in the Mesquite Arts Council and Missoula Children’s Theatre’s version of Peter and Wendy which was performed on Feb. 6 at the Mesquite Community Theatre. Photo by Teri Nerhenz.

Neverland Creatures were Elexa Ellison, Shaylee Sudweeks, Jessica Leavitt, Nevaeh Musser, Jenna Walter and Ellie Clark.

Neverlanders were Kendall Reid, Christina Leach, Brinley Hughes, Gwen Rasmussen, Sarah Davis and Vanessa Anderson.

Pirates included Brianna Zarate, Kalen Jensen, Gabby Valenzuela, Slater Bovard, Avia Anderson, Kelsey Sudweeks and Makinley Empey.

Clouds were Rachel Kazek, Mahttie Nulitalo, Brooke Zarate, McKenna Whipple, Tegan Stephenson, Connor Helston, Cora Rasmussen, Arabella Whitemeam, Jennica Bennell, SamanthaDavis, Hudson Hughes, Sasha Green, Kambria Jensen, Brielle Walsh, Kierra Jensen and Skyler Green.