With an action-packed plot meant to showcase the adventures of childhood imagination, Odyssey for the Young at Art’s rendition of “Peter Pan and Wendy” soars onto stage Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 27, at 2 p.m. at Mount Vernon District Auditorium.

Summer rehearsals, directed by Karla Steffens, are in full swing as tech week begins. Students of all ranges participate in blocking, the planning of movement and positions, staging, the arrangement of set design and lighting, and building the stage design itself. All while putting the finishing touches on line memorization.

The journey to “Neverland” began June 8. Students then spend the next three weeks, three hours a day, Monday through Thursday in rehearsals. From practicing in a choir to pretending to be in large battles, students are constantly involved.

Steffens and Odyssey strive to use theater and art as a way to take “…a humanistic, intersectional, multicultural and strength-based approach that recognizes the importance and value of each person and meeting each student where they are” as stated on Odyssey’s website.

Three weeks might seem like a short time to put together a production, but with a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of hard work, the students, experienced or not, are getting the show on the road. Some students including Evie Dye, who is playing Tinkerbell on June 26. “I think I have been a part of this for three or four years. All of my siblings were doing it, so I wanted to try it out,” Dye said.

Although three weeks might seem like such a short time, Dye also said, “It’s sometimes hard but it is fun. If you’re not really a good singer you have to try your best.”

Kyra Nichols, who is portraying Captain Hook and in their fourth play, talked about what it was like to be the villain of the production.

“I love being the bad guy, I get to capture all the Lost Boys and Wendy, and the actress for Wendy is actually my best friend,” Kyra said.

Kyra and Dye also spoke about what it was like to act as a character. “It’s like you get to build your character. I could be sweet and gentle, then I can finally get an experience in the other emotion,” Kyra said, alluding towards being a bad guy.

Claire Hoklotubbe, who is playing Wendy on June 26 spoke about some of the best parts about this performance. “Probably using our acting skills. It’s weird being a different character but I think it’s pretty fun.”

Lyla Nichols, playing the Neverbird and also a mermaid thinks similarly. “Using and being your own character and acting as your character,” Lyla states in reference to her favorite part of performing.

Claire also speaks about some of her favorite moments.

“Also, meeting the people in the play,” Hoklotubbe said. “The person who plays Peter Pan, I had no idea who he was. But then we just started to get to know each other.”

Lyla also stresses that there are a lot of nice people here.

Hoklotubbe believes that people should see the show because, “There are a lot of funny moments, and there is also a heartwarming and emotional scene at the end.”

Interested in the show?

The Odyssey’s Production of Peter Pan will be performed Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 28 at 2 p.m. It will be held in the auditorium in Mount Vernon Middle School. Tickets are being sold at the door and are $6.

CAST:

(In order of appearance; shared roles: if two names are listed, the first name performs Friday 7pm; the second name performs Saturday 2pm)

Narrators: Ronnie Yeater/Naiah Disbrow

John: Axl Bagby/Cecilia Rife

Michael: Theodore Kuntz/Leo Nichols

Wendy: Claire Hoklotubbe/Mae Veeder

Nana: Amelie Nehring

Mrs. Darling: Briley Sellnau/Gwen Borrison

Mr. Darling: Elliott Micheel/Oscar Kuntz

Tinkerbell: Winnie Kuntz/Evie Dye

Peter Pan: Oscar Kuntz/Elliott Micheel

Liza: Fia Moore

Curly: Ingrid Virlee

Twin#1: Lucy Gregg

Twin#2: Ava Zarifkar

Slightly: Felicity Frost

Tootles: Desmond Bray

Nibs: Emily Hoklotubbe

Hook: Kyra Nichols/Lewis Micheel

Starkey: RJ Stine

Smee: Hector Klaus

Jukes: Tori Lamb

Cecco: Maxwell Votroubek

Mullins: Cecilia Jost

Noodler: Lily Olen

Cookson: Lucy Wolter

Ensemble Pirates & Ensemble Lost Boys: Clem Barnes, Lila Hasley, Annie Davis, Mack Thurn, Adeline Laborde, Amelie Nehring, Harper Votroubek, Fia Moore, Matilda Nietert, Winnie Kuntz, Nora Wolter, Pearl Gregg, Evie Dye, Nora Brennan, Savannah Jones, Leo Nichols, Leo Calcara, Mae Veeder, Reagan Ireland, John Laborde, Weston Riden, Piper Lewis, Theodore Kuntz, Elijah Forest, Henry Nehring, Kenley Modracek, Isabelle Spier, Axl Bagby, Holden Carr, Maya Butz, Kyra Nichols, Oscar Kuntz, Elliott Micheel, Claire Hoklotubbe, Lyla Nichols, Lewis Micheel, Gwen Borrison, Zuzu Blacharski

Mermaids and Fairies: Lyla Nichols, Maya Butz, Nora Wolter, Matilda Nietert, Nora Brennan, Annie Davis

Crocodiles: Maya Butz/Mack Thurn

Tiger Lily: Kenley Modracek/Isabelle Spier

Never Bird: Lyla Nichols

Jane: Nora Wolter

TECH STUDENTS: Max Biderman, Sayre Carr, Maxwell Votroubek

INTERNS: (Set Build, Run Crew, Light Hang) Emery Willems, Briley Sellnau, Luiza Blacharski, Danny Dye, Chester Rood, Fenn Jones, Joey Latta, Marlie Willems, Scarlett Musser, Jo Barnes, Ronnie Yeater, Fiona Calcara, Andrew Errington, Asher Nehring, Miley Disbrow, Charlotte Woosley, Arlo Woosley, John Bishop IV, and guest appearances by Meg Dye.

STAFF:

Director: Karla M Steffens

Assistant Director: Zak Moran

Tech Director: Karen Mills

Stage Manager: Emery Willems

Assistant to Stage Manager: Fenn Jones

ASM Stage Left: Danny Dye

ASM Stage Right: Charlotte Woosley

Music Co-Directors: Scarlett Musser, Marlie Willems, Joey Latta

Sound Team and SBO/Foley Table: Fenn Jones

Lighting Team: Arlo Woosley (LBO), Joey Latta, Asher Nehring

Properties Masters: Fenn Jones and Miley Disbrow

Costumes: Karla M Steffens