Notes from the Directors:
Theatre is an art that has always brought people together. Everything that we know about life, its importance, and who we are comes from the hands of great playwrights, authors, and thinkers. I have been in many productions where it was my job to deliver lines, act out scenes, and make magic happen onstage, but now I can appreciate the hard work, dedication, and creativity that is required of a director and production team. It has been such an honor to work with each and every one of these students, and it makes me feel so proud to know that they understand how important theatre is to our community. One thing that I can honestly say about these students is that they are so committed to this art form and have a desire to learn. This is the greatest thing about the McLaughlin Theatre Company: the students love to learn, and that makes my job much more rewarding.
For you, the audience member, it is my greatest wish that you are reminded of what if feels like to let your heart soar. I want you to go back to that time in your life when you didn't want to grow up, where everything felt like a game...and then suddenly you realized that you were ready. Ready to grow up and become the person that you are, right now. Reading this program. So with that being said, take a deep breath and take a trip down memory lane with us. If you look close enough at the night sky, you'll see that magical place that you loved so much. That place, is your Neverland.
Cheers,
Jared Capper
Peter Pan has always been one of my favorite stories. Like Cinderella, the story of the boy who never grows up has many versions, sequels, prequels, and spin offs so vast that it could make you dizzy trying to remember all the variations. And yet, at heart of the story, the message is the same: The boy who doesn’t want to grow up helps a girl, Wendy, realizes she will.
In many ways, theatre is like Neverland. We play. We are challenged. We can be silly and throw exaggerated tantrums. And yet, through this process I have also had the pleasure of watching much of our company grow up. They make their own goals, and break them. They model for the littler cast members how to perform both on and off the wings, and maybe most importantly, they haven’t forgotten to have fun and enjoy the moment when it is their time to shine. It has been a pleasure as always watching this community of newcomers remember to play, and our seasoned regulars continue to grow and thrive.
Please enjoy our rendition of Peter Pan.
Natalie Quilici
