The Missoula Children’s Theatre will not be returning toBrookhaven in 2009 to follow up on its decade-long string of localperformances.

Brookhaven Trust Arts Council President Celeste Lowery said thedecision to forego next year’s visit by the traveling arts companyfrom Missoula, Mont., was made by the council earlier this springbecause the approximately $4,500 investment made on the companyeach year benefits too few local children. The council decided tosave its funds for arts programs that would involve more children,Lowery said.

“We lose about $2,500 per year on that, which is fine, but it’sonly for about 50 kids,” she said about Missoula. “With the stateof the economy and our money crunch and giving so much toBrookhaven Little Theatre through the Trust, we’re trying to findprograms that would be more economical and reach morechildren.”

The council made a $10,000 donation last year to BrookhavenLittle Theatre’s Save the Haven campaign for the restoration of thehistoric downtown theater.

Regarding Missoula, Lowery said the council only recoups about$2,000 each year through ticket and T-shirt sales. She said the$2,500 hit taken for the involvement of only 50 children is notfeasible when BLT, through its summer Kids Camp and threeproductions each year, can involve far more children.

The status of the council’s funding levels will be evaluatedfrom year to year, Lowery said, and Missoula could return toBrookhaven in the future.

“We’re really hoping that if we take it out for a few years andthen bring it back, it will be all new again,” she said.

In the meantime, Save the Haven Committee Chairwoman JoAnnaSproles said BLT is ready to fill any arts void left by thedeparture of Missoula.

“There’s certainly similar opportunities to Missoula at theHaven,” she said. “The difference between our drama camp and aprogram like Missoula is that we don’t have tryouts for ourproductions. If children come to us to participate, they’reincluded.”

Sproles pointed out that since the yearly drama camp at theHaven has a price – $125 per child – inclusion in the performanceis guaranteed. BLT operates a scholarship program so that childrenwho cannot afford the fee may participate at no charge.

This year’s drama camp served 60 children,.

Sproles said BLT is looking for ways to expand the involvementof children in its plays as well. Only one of BLT’s three playseach year is guaranteed to include children, but the group’s boardof directors is working to find more child-ready plays.

“With Missoula not coming back, we’ll be more aware when wechoose our plays,” she said.

Sproles said BLT is also discussing the creation of a separatedrama camp for teenagers. There has been no teen camp in the pastbecause Missoula involves children through the 12th grade, shesaid.