NCHS prepares for production of Peter Pan

Barefoot and wearing pajama pants, senior Katie Wood, playing the part of Peter Pan, threateningly circles her character’s nemesis, Captain James Hook, played by senior Alex Kirchner.

“Dark and sinister man,” she spoke out. “Have at thee!”

The pair collide in a clash of wooden swords, grunts and war cries. It’s an impressive battle.

Soon, though, the death scene comes and Pan defeats Hook. The pair look to their director, Diana Driver, for direction.

They have less than two weeks to get it right.

At 7 p.m. March 12, the curtains rise on “Peter Pan,” the spring musical being performed by Nelson County High School students. The play runs for four shows March 12 through March 14 and tickets are $6 in advance and $7 at the door.

The story, originally written by J.M. Barrie, is about a young boy who befriends three British children and travels with them to a fairytale place called Neverland.

Driver said the cast is performing the British version of the musical, which is “more whimsical” than the Broadway version.

“We wanted to do something different,” Driver said. “We chose (Peter Pan) because we haven’t done a children’s musical in a long, long time.”

The Cast

With more than 40 roles to fill, including parts for fairies, mermaids, pirates and Indians, Driver said this still was one of the smaller productions ever done onstage at the high school.

“It’s still pretty big,” Driver said. “But it is a smaller cast than we usually have.”

Last year, the spring musical was “The Wedding Singer,” in which more than 60 students were involved. This year, “Peter Pan” has about 50 actors on stage.

During auditions, Driver said she had to make some tough decisions while picking the cast. More than 80 students tried out and she had to cut 40 of them.

“Nelson is always rich in talent when it comes to the performing arts,” Driver said. “I could have cast the show twice, easily, there was so much talent.”

The Special Effects

Sword fighting is a new piece of choreography that has not been done before with the students in the cast.

Driver brought in professional fight coordinator Melora Kordos, a professor at Randolph College in Lynchburg, to help the students prepare for their sword-swinging roles and death scenes.

Mallory Duff, a Sweet Briar College senior, was also brought in to choreograph the dance sequences that coincide with the musical numbers.

NCHS senior Katherine James bowed out of taking the stage this year and instead, chose to work behind the scenes, designing each of the costumes for the entire production.

“This is something that I’ve thought about doing for a career maybe,” Katherin said of costume design. “It’s been really fun, but it is a lot of work.”

Katherin said she did online research on the production for inspiration for the costumes, but also has taken her own artistic license with some of the designs.

Her favorite costume to design has been the dress for Mrs. Darling, played by Annie Saunders.

“I love the colors and I love the fabric and it’s going to be such a beautiful dress, I think,” Katherin said. “Really scrumptious and what you would expect Mrs. Darling to wear.”

Driver said she rented a special curtain that “looks like the night sky” for the background onstage for a special effect when the cast members are “flying.”

To achieve the flying effect for Peter Pan, Wendy, Michael and John, Driver employed the help of 10 male students, mostly athletes, to carry the actors around on stage.

Each of the “flyboys,” as they’ve been affectionately named, will be wearing black from head to toe to blend in with the background.

For some, being onstage is old hat. To others, it’s a new experience.

Junior Trevor Saunders was tapped by Driver to be one of the “flyboys.” Trevor plays football and runs track at NCHS, but has never acted onstage.

“It is exciting,” Trevor said. “Last year I watched (“The Wedding Singer”) and I wanted to be up there. I’m glad I can do it this year.”

The Pan

The main role that carries the entire production of “Peter Pan” was given to Senior Katie Wood, who also was a member of the NCHS state championship cast for the Virginia High School League One Act Theatre Arts Festival play in November.

Driver said Katie was chosen among three other hopefuls for the part because of her strong singing voice and vocal range.

Along with acting in the musical, Katie plays guitar, sings in a band and is a member of the NCHS Show Choir, she said.

Katie said the hardest part about playing a little boy is keeping the energy going throughout the entire play.

“All the way through you have to be a little boy, who, anyone with any experience with children would know, is just bouncing around the entire time no matter what,” Katie said. “Regardless of the amount of caffeine or sugar or sleep you had. It is a lot of fun but it takes a lot of energy.”