Imagination at heart of upcoming CCHS performance

Cast members for this show include AJ Prentice, Lillia Jones, Brayden Ridley, Amelia Bishop, Cody Kessler, Emma Gilbert, Jeffrey Copp, Brynn Stahl, Ty Pearce, Zoe Whitacre, Alia Schuman, Karmen Brown, Mason Straub, Natilie Brower, Isaiah Boston, Samantha Lickey and Alli Mullett.

The public is familiar with Peter Pan and the Lost Boys of Neverland, but how did Peter Pan come to be? How did Captain Hook lose his hand? How did they all end up at Neverland? "Peter and the Starcatcher" tells this swashbuckling and exhilarating origin story of the boy who never grew up.

Deeper than its nonsensical nature, this play is about discovering yourself and trusting others.

"It's about relationships and navigating how we feel about others and ourselves, etc." said one cast member.

Unique to this play is the style in which it is performed, adopting pantomime to tell the story. Each cast member plays multiple roles as sailors, orphans, pirates, mermaids, mollusks and narrators, and uses music, comedy, slapstick and modern references to move the story forward. Each cast member uses their imagination to tell the story, and encourages the audience to as well as umbrellas become trees, fabric becomes water and more.

"I like how we are acting it out, but we are using imagination as well," said one cast member.

"We're crew and character inside a group interactive show," added another.

Director and Assistant Director Shane Barkley and Keith Gilbert chose the play because of its uniqueness.

"We wanted a challenge," said Barkley. "It's a different style we've never done before using imagination and pantomime to tell the story. We thought let's try it and see what we can do."

Amongst the cast of 17, this is the first show for one, but the last show for four. What they say they have taken away from their experience is what sets live theater apart.

"Today, it's easy to get entertainment whether it's through Disney Plus or TikTok, but we can't forget the origin and importance of theater," one cast member said.

"You have to witness live theater at least once to feel raw human emotion in person," said another. "Portraying these relationships in person is a different feeling than seeing it on a screen."

For some of these students, the takeaway will leave a lasting impact.

"I've made friendships doing this show I may never have made otherwise," said one cast member.

Another said, "Growing up I was anxious and shy, but now I feel I am more outgoing and less anxious. This has really helped."

"By building this show, we are showing the audience our passion, and it's important to see that humanity and those relationships. For the audience, seeing that action on the stage thrives others to see humanity and feel that spark of passion we feel (for theater)."