On Aug. 25 -26 auditions were held for the first theater production of this year, “Peter and the Starcatcher.” Students and community members alike came to audition for a part. Uniquely, “Peter and the Starcatcher” is not just a normal play. There will be a musical aspect to the show having the cast sing sea shanties and songs.
“This is my first time vocal directing. I directed the musical theater cabaret last year, and that was a whole journey in and of itself,” says vocal director Kendra Johnson, a senior majoring in vocal performance.
She talks about getting to lead a group of cast members through the singing aspect of “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
“I’m very excited to work specifically on vocals and to work on my craft of teaching music to people versus directing how I want things to look,” Johnson said.
Having a vocal director for this play is a way to help the performers navigate through singing, even without having experience in it. The theater department wants to help students succeed whether they are auditioning for a play or going into a directing profession. This allows students majoring in anything to have a part in the productions.
“I’m excited that we’re always doing something different. The versatility and variety of theater is unique,” says Dr. Megan Westhoff, the director of theater.
She explains how she wants to push and help students gain life experience through theater.
“It also helps students when they’re going to go out and work in a professional setting and they can kind of be ready to try different things and go, oh, this is exciting and terrifying at the same time,” Westhoff says.
“Peter and the Starcatcher” is a play that was adapted from novels written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, adapted for the stage by Rick Elice. The story is about an orphan boy who in the end becomes who we know as Peter Pan. The story takes place as a backstory for the character. Peter Pan, being as popular as it is, helped “Peter and the Starcatcher” gain much popularity within the theater community.
“This is my first show I’m working with Pitt State, I am very excited,” says April Polomsky, a community member in Pittsburg. “I really want to expand who I work with. Work with more members of the community and work in a school setting where it’s not just about putting on the show, but it’s also about learning, teaching and bettering yourself and others around you.”
She heard about the production and decided to audition with the theater. Having been a part of a different production of “Peter and the Starcatcher” it brought her back to perform it again.
“This show is perfect for that because it’s about excitement adventure, playing off of the people around you and just that childhood sense of whimsy,” says Polomsky.
On Oct. 22 – 25, “Peter and the Starcatcher” will showcase at the Bicknell Center, being open to students for free to come and watch.
