This week I had written a review of the movie Man of Steel, but something more pressing came up.
I grew up in small town Iowa. I was different from all of my classmates. I was and still am quite large. I was very democratic, but more importantly I was very outspoken. This led to being bullied to the point of police action, outcast to a certain degree, and most importantly it led to a childhood of sadness and broken dreams. I was a very depressed child and unfortunately I was also suicidal; making multiple attempts in high school. Now I write all of this down not because I like to share, but because of a magical opportunity that helped change all of this. In middle school, I auditioned for a traveling theatre company's production of Treasure Island and was cast as "Big Blue" the pirate. The company was MCT. Missoula Children's Theatre.
MCT was created in the early 70's by two brilliant men, Jim Caron and Don Collins. In the summer of 1970 Jim was driving from Chicago to Oregon when his car broke down in Missoula, Montana. He saw a poster for Man of La Mancha and on a whim auditioned. He was cast and there he met Don Collins. The two went on to create MCT.
After the production of Treasure Island, I was asked by the director to audition for their summer camp the following year. He told me that two camps, one for older and one for younger came together and in two weeks put on a full musical show. Not knowing anything I auditioned and got in.
The first summer we did America and the second we did Once on this Island. Both summers I did not enjoy myself very much and swore off the camp. At the time I was in my ninth and tenth grade years, the height of my depression. There were three friends, Quincey Smith, Chase Van Epps, and Joshua Farmer who all told me to try one more year. The next year I would move up to the older kids camp on South Shore and I was told the environment was more creating a show and becoming a family. I said yes. Thank God.
In my Senior year of college I stopped participating in MCT because of work. At that point I had been involved in, one way or another, 10 years of MCT; as an actor and as a counselor. Looking back, those 20 weeks are the best 20 weeks of my life. Without a doubt, MCT, the production staff and camp staff, and my friends saved my life. They gave me something to look forward to every year and eventually, what I learned there affected the rest of my life.
Today I am happy to report that I am happy, depression free for up to a year. Yes I still get angry and sad, but those feelings are only temporary. MCT SAVED MY LIFE.
And now I am writing this post to try and help save a member of our family.
Throughout the years I have lost touch with many members of camp but every now and then one will surface on my computer screen and we will re-connect. I would try to name all of them but it would easily require multiple hours to write them all down.
We are a family. Yes from time to time we may lose track of one another but then Kate Fox will run into you in the Minneapolis Airport. Or Bo Mellinger will star in a show in Seattle. You will see most of Katy Jenkins college shows and go out to lunch with Chris Boyd in Chicago. Reunions will be packed and visits will last a lifetime. From BBQ in Jacksonville with the Jacobson sisters to Dinner in Missoula with everyone. Some will even become brothers and sisters of yours like Ann Herrold. But they will always be in your heart for good.
This past week on July 3rd one of our sisters was in a terrible accident in Missoula. She remains in the ICU and is battling for her life. I write this blog to try and help her.
MacKenzie Lemcke is one of the good ones. She has a strong heart and never, never stops using it. She has a beautiful smile that lights up the room. Her spunky can do attitude is always in full force. She may offer you a place to stay when you are traveling through or buy you dinner. She is kind when others are cruel, shows beauty when others display ugliness, and cares, always cares no matter what the situation. Even if the situation is as small as not making fun of you when you order a White Zinfandel at MacKenzie River.
Our family has dealt with loss. Jenna Ness and Noah Ginnings. Both lost before the prime of their lives. We will not deal with it again. MacKenzie is a fighter.
The last time I saw Noah he told me something that ever since has been my own personal motto, as I sign off any email with the same two words. "Always believe."
One thing that I will always believe in is life. I will always believe that as long as breath exists, life will flourish. But not without help. I also will always believe in the kindness of strangers.
I will post a link on this page to a GiveForward page (like Kickstarter, in a way) that has been created to raise money for MacKenzie. I know I will be donating but I ask any of my friends and anyone out there to please give money towards her recovery. MCT is a family, but ultimately the Theatre Community is one big family and when one of us is hurt we should do whatever we need to do in order to heal them. I am not a person who generally asks for money, for myself or any other cause, but I make special consideration here.
Thank you.
Grant Freeman
"Always Believe"
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