All it took was happy thoughts and a little bit of pixie dust to get Shorecrest High School’s production of Peter Pan off the ground.
… plus $30,000, a flight designer and choreographer, a sword fight specialist, hundreds of hours of rehearsal, a creative director, hard-working cast, a dedicated drama director, a handful of parent volunteers and much, much more.
Beginning Friday, Nov. 14, the drama department at Shorecrest will bring to life the theatrical fantasy world of Peter, Wendy, Tinkerbell and, of course, Captain Hook. The show will run Nov. 14 to 16, and Nov. 20 to 23 at the Shorecrest Theatre.
However, it is not without hard work and a lot of preparation that the cast and crew are able to present this year’s performance.
School officials this year hired a specialist from ZFX Flying Illusions in Las Vegas for four days to work with the cast, set up flight equipment and teach parent volunteers to be flight operators so Pan and friends can safely soar above the stage. ZFX also helped well-known actress Cathy Rigby fly as Peter Pan during the 1998-1999 U.S. National Tour of the stage play.
A sword fighting specialist from Seattle also was brought in to help teach proper techniques to Captain Hook and other weapon-wielding members of the cast.
Shorecrest drama director Linda Johnson said their ability to provide the professional quality and resources to the high school show is based on the department’s history.
“We can do this [big of a show] because we’ve built up the program, and because of the longevity of someone sticking with it,” said Johnson, a 32-year veteran of Shorecrest’s drama program.
When she first began working with the school, they had no drama textbook, no props, no nothing, Johnson said.
“Our budget is now based on ticket sales,” Johnson explained. “We’ve built that foundation.”
They also have a lot of credibility behind them.
Last spring, the school’s production of “Oliver!” received several honors from the 5th Avenue Theatre’s High School Musical Awards: “Best Actor” went to 18-year-old Brian Earp (this year’s Captain Hook) for his portrayal of Fagin, “Best Director” to Brad Reed and “Best Overall Musical.” Shoreline Mayor Scott Jepsen last year also declared the week of July 7 as Shorecrest Drama Program Week to honor the program.
The cast of Peter Pan holds a lot of talent and obvious dedication. After a full day of classes, they often have five — sometimes more — hours of rehearsal. Not to mention homework, time to eat, sleep, and — oh yeah — constantly striving for greatness.
“This is definitely the hardest role I’ve ever approached — Captain Hook is very eccentric and insecure in some ways,” Earp said. “And it’s the shortest time we’ve ever done this big of a show, in regarding the technical aspects and length of the show.”
Earp added, “It’s a challenge but you just do it. For the two months or so (the show) becomes your focus. And you have to realize sleep always gets sacrificed.”
Tessa Archer, 17, will play Peter Pan, and said she feels blessed just to be a part of the production.
“Doing this, you can let someone escape from their problems for a couple of hours, and to take someone away like that is an incredible feat,” Archer said.
The opportunity to fly also appealed to her.
“You have no power so you can’t be in control, and all my cares are away when I’m up flying,” Archer said.
And will the show appeal to all audiences? Archer believes so.
“Everyone has that little kid inside of them that wants to fly.”
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