“Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure” drew the curtain on its third and final performance Monday night. The 1,800+ audience members saw a fabulous show featuring 46 performers. Behind the scenes, about a dozen crew members amplified the story by managing dramatic sets and staging.
With assistance from the crew, audiences witnessed Peter Pan and the Darling children fly across the stage. They watched a vicious crocodile (affectionately called Wilson) swallowing Captain Hook. They saw a larger-than-life dog house for the family pet, Nana, and Mr. Darling when he was in the dog house. Another example of scenery created by the construction crew was the Lost Boys’ toadstool, which was the camouflaged chimney to their hideout. It took a host of individuals behind the curtain and in other PAC spots to bring this performance level to audiences.
Crew Attends to the Details
While a Jeep-sized crocodile is eye-catching, audiences are less likely to note the lights coming up, the curtain opening, and sets appearing and disappearing. However, crew member make those things happen, too. A musical’s minor details are sometimes invisible. Yet, they play an essential role in making the story complete for audiences, said Director of Performing Arts Kerri Sanders.
Behind the scenes, faculty, parents, and students ensured those imperceptible details ran smoothly. Junior Caroline Johnson, stage manager, was one JA student with a critical role in the seamless operation of “Peter Pan.”
Crew Learns Valuable Skills
Caroline now envisions this role as her future career. “This is pretty much what I want to do,” Caroline said. An artist, Caroline joined the set crew in ninth grade.
Leading up to opening night, Caroline checked on the sets each morning before starting classes. After classes, she spent most afternoons and evenings painting, constructing, sewing costumes, running the light board, and overseeing the tasks of other crew members, along with JA staff members, Technical Director Andy Prince, and Assistant Technical Director Chris Lloyd. “Peter Pan” required a flight crew, a run crew, and a scenery construction crew. In addition, some cast members held dual cast and crew roles. Caroline calls the show, which means she handles the operation before and after the show and is in the booth. Chris Lloyd manages the run crew and is backstage during the show.
Crew Is Integral Part of Show
Caroline views the crew as more than an add-on to any performance. “They are such an integral part of everything,” she said. For one thing, the crew moves big set pieces – and many of them–in ways that the story is not interrupted. “Set pieces are as much a part of the musical as the cast,” she explained. “They are creating the world of the play for the audience and are just as important.”
Caroline said a big challenge of “Peter Pan” was fitting all the set pieces backstage. “It is like a dance,” she explained. Crew members moved set pieces quickly, quietly, and at precise times, and often with the curtain open.
The versatility of those cast members who also held crew roles impressed Caroline. For example, Bryan Eubank, who played Captain Hook, had to perform, switch to crew to help with the flight of Peter Pan, then act again. “That’s rare,” Caroline said about those who managed a dual role. “They are well rounded.” She also noted that the crew’s flight rehearsals were hard and long. Other cast members spent time supporting the crew with scenery or other tasks.
Upcoming Shows
Her favorite part as stage manager was seeing it all come together. With each musical or play, she enjoys watching the actors, who are her friends, portraying the scenes using the sets, costumes, and props she and others have created. After a brief rest, she will be ready to begin staging JA’s next production: the competition one-act, “Skinflints and Scoundrels,” a hilarious retelling of Moliere’s “The Miser.” JA is offering a free public performance of “Skinflints and Scoundrels” November 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the PAC auditorium.
