Array path

i’m using an array to call mc’s, like so:

[AS]btnArray = [item01];
btnArray[0].text = “ok”;[/AS]

this works ok if i’ve a mc in stage with the instance name “item01”

problem is if i put the “item01” inside a mc like “contain” how can i call it using the same method (the array)… i found a way to, but not the prefereble

[AS]btnArray = [contain.item01];
btnArray[0].text = “ok”;[/AS]

i would exepect to do it like contain.btnArray[0].text = “ok” (-:
…but it doesn’t work so well

help?