Local homeschool co-op to perform 'Peter Pan Jr.'
Nov. 11—ANDERSON — The young thespians from the White River Christian Home Educators, a local homeschool co-op, will perform the classic tale of Peter Pan this week at Mainstage Theatre in Anderson.
Approximately 28 students ages 7 to 12 comprise the cast, according to Alicia Fox, co-director of "Peter Pan Jr."
The play follows Peter Pan, the leader of the Lost Boys, Wendy Darling, and a few others as they fly to Neverland. While in Neverland, they run into the evil Captain Hook, Peter Pan's archenemy, and his band of pirates.
Neverland is also home to the Brave Girls, whom the Lost Boys and others become friends with.
"They work together to defeat Captain Hook and the pirates," director Amanda Trimble said.
During a rehearsal Monday, Tremble instructed the actors to deliver their lines in a way that would convey emotion, helping audiences connect with the characters.
"They are able to perform acrobatic tricks, they sing, they dance, they memorize lines," Trimble explained.
"They're able to have a lot of input with their own creativity, adding in costume decisions, blocking decisions," she added. "That's what's really cool about this. We are directors, but they're also able to have a lot of input."
In one sequence, the large number of students portraying the Lost Boys enthusiastically insist on not growing up.
"Not a penny will I pinch. I will never grow a mustache, or a fraction of an inch," a group of actors sang.
Despite their protests, they are growing up. For at least six students, Peter Pan will be their last performance for junior drama.
Most of the six enjoyed the community aspect of drama.
"At the end of the day, everybody knows each other so well," one actor said.
Follow Caleb Amick on Twitter @AmickCaleb. Contact him at caleb.amick@heraldbulletin.com or 765-648-4254.
