Before he was America’s beloved Peter Pan, he was simply a boy with no name. This weekend, the Sanford High School (SHS) Theater Company invites the community to Sanford Performing Arts Center (SPAC) to discover how Peter’s adventures began in their fall production of Peter and the Starcatcher.
Bringing this origin story to life is more than learning lines and performing in front of a crowd. For the 45 students participating, this performance entails building an imaginative world from the ground up, both onstage and off.
The SHS Theater Company is led by SPAC Director Brett Williams and teacher Kristie Baker. While Brett oversees what audiences see onstage, like stage blocking and the artistic vision of the show, Kristie leads what’s happening behind the scenes. As Brett describes it, “she handles all of the stuff that makes the vision come to life.”
While the company must perform the show as written, the students have found plenty of opportunities to make the production their own. “It's silly and we have a lot of license to do silly staging,” Brett commented. When students asked if they could use lightsabers during a sword fight scene, his reply was, “I don’t see why not.” Their creativity was further put into practice in other unexpected ways, as well: “The whole company has a big fight scene and they're all just poking at each other with wooden spoons,” Brett laughed.
The show’s initial staging is another noteworthy distinction from what audiences may be accustomed to at Brett’s productions. “If you know my shows, I never start with a bare stage,” Brett said with an expression of reluctant acceptance. But from the word “go”, the cast invites the audience to use their imaginations to help set the scene. “And all of a sudden,” Brett said, “we've got walls flying in and platforms moving around and sails coming down from the sky.”
With scene set and imaginations primed, the adventures begin to unfold. “If you pay attention,” Brett said, “you will understand how a lot of these lead characters play into the future story of Peter Pan that we all know.” How does Captain Hook lose his hand in the first place? How does Peter fly? Where does Tinker Bell come in? “All these questions are answered in this.”
Stepping into the namesake role of Peter has been surreal for senior Jaiden Mann, whose charismatic, youthful energy truly encapsulates Peter’s spirit. Despite being his first time performing in a theater production, Jaiden felt the character came naturally to him. “I was sweating, I was just so nervous,” Jaiden said, recalling his audition. “But I got up, and it was like second nature - it was like I almost completely forgot that there were people watching me.”
And while he first joined theater as a way to have fun with his friends, Jaiden now plans to continue acting beyond high school and minor in theatre in college. For any of his peers who are considering theater for themselves, he gave his advice with fervor: “Definitely do it - just like throw your hat in there.” Looking at the weekend’s performances, he added, “The nerves are definitely there, but I’m pretty confident in the work I’ve put in and that all of my castmates have put in as well.”
Freshman Emma Miller is also joining Sanford’s theater troupe for the first time, performing multiple roles buttressed by previous ensemble experience in another district. For Emma, voicing her motivation to join theater came with a smile: “It’s just so fun, it makes me happy.”
But students don’t have to occupy the spotlight to be part of the SHS Theater Program. Those whose interests lie in creative and technical work behind the scenes, or those who are not cast for an onstage role, can choose from the variety of crew positions the club offers.
Led by Ms. Baker, the crew includes teams of builders, painters, costume makers, stagehands, and sound and lighting runners, amongst others. Some students contribute to production long before the show runs, while others remain involved throughout technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances. Ms. Baker leads various teams with diverse skillsets, often teaching students sewing or other production-based skills that help visually bring the show to life.
Costume crew lead Kaylee Gothier has been on the team since her freshman year at SHS. She smiled as she reflected on now being a senior. “It’s exciting, kinda sad,” she said sentimentally. “We’ve put a lot of work into it,” Kaylee added, describing the show’s costuming and her process of working with Ms. Baker to plan, choose, and order materials at the start of the season. And while many of the costumes are donated, recycled from past shows, or bought from thrift stores, the seven-member crew handles the fittings, alterations, and stylistic changes themselves; and even take on a major made-from-scratch project each season - this year, it’s mermaid tails (keep your eyes peeled for Act II!).
Beyond costumes, crew members also take on the responsibility of many of the technical aspects of the show. Juniors Oakley O’Keefe and Mattea Peters will be running sound for this play, with each having their own unique, personal journeys of what led them to theater.
“I’m best friends with Brett Williams' son,” Oakley shared. “And their family's super into theater, which got me hooked on [it].” Since then, the extracurricular has played an even more meaningful role in his high school experience. “I’ve found a new family, [and] something outside of my comfort zone that I've grown into.”
Mattea's interest in theater began a bit more candidly. “It might sound silly, but I really enjoyed watching High School Musical!” she said with a meek giggle. She recalled thinking, “I wonder if it's like that,” adding, “and so far it has been.” And for Mattea, who also hopes to continue her role as a stagehand at SPAC beyond graduation, this experience is building towards something even greater.
For the students performing this weekend, Peter and the Starcatcher represents far more than the final performance. It’s the culmination of months of creativity, collaboration, and challenging themselves to step out of their comfort zones as they grow alongside their peers. And even after they step off the stage and out of Peter’s story, the impact of the experience will carry with them far beyond those three days onstage.
Performance Details:
Showtimes
Friday, November 13 at 7:00 pm
Saturday, November 14 at 7:00 pm
Sunday, November 15 at 2:00 pm
Event location
Sanford Performing Arts Center
100 Alumni Blvd, Sanford, ME 04073
*Parking is free!
Tickets
Tickets are $18 for adults, $14 for seniors and free for students!!! Tickets are available at www.SanfordPAC.org or by calling 207-206-1126.