director’s notes - tdsb school web site...
TRANSCRIPT
Director’s Notes I’d be lying if I said Peter Pan was my first choice for this year’s production. In truth I knew little about Barrie’s play as I had distanced myself from the story because growing up I had found neither the Disney version nor the Mary Martin Musical versions sustaining. But with a strong democratic mandate from the class to produce this play, I was forced to immerse myself in all things Pan and became hooked (sorry…) after read-ing not the original play version (1904), but the narrative which first appeared in 1911. It is the narrative that fills out what I found were gaps in the play, but more importantly, put me in touch with a depth I had not anticipated. The transmission of stories from one generation to the next – particularly cultivated and preserved through women – was what touched me most and inspired our production. But above all, Pan is fun and from a theatrical point of view an incredible opportunity for students: fight choreography, move-ment choreography, mermaid and pirate costumes, and the building of a Neverland set to name but a few of the challenges. However, it would be remiss of me as an educator to not make a special note about the “Redskins.” Unfortunately when it comes to this aspect, Barrie’s treatment of the Indians is at the very least stereotypical and at most racist. We have done our best to stay true to Barrie’s themes but made small alterations to lessen or eliminate some of the more racial overtones by portraying the “Natives” as indigenous to the Neverland and who are connected to the Darling family and Lost Boys through their love of story-telling. This to me is not an attempt at political-correctness but rather of human decency and respect. Thanks to my partner in crime, Mr. B who as Producer probably has more work to juggle than a Director, but gets even less recognition. A special thanks goes to J.G. who decided to ride shotgun on this journey, but in many ways was often co-pilot rather than passenger…and finally my gratitude to the entire “On Bloor Production” Team for their choice of play, commitment, and drive…and helping me believe in fairies.
Producer’s Notes When this year’s Theatre Production class selected J. M Barrie’s Peter Pan as our piece to perform, I immediately remembered a production I had seen at the Shaw Festival many years ago. The production was a critical, artistic and financial success. I am sure the “wizards” at Shaw had spectacular special effects; actors fly-ing across the sage, snapping crocodiles and elaborate sets (strangely, none of which I can specifically recall!) What did stay imprinted in my mind after all these years were the emotional and personal themes in the writing; the nostalgia for childhood and play, the recognition that we all must cross into the world of adults. As producer, I have not had much of an opportunity to work directly with Barrie’s text, however, I have witnessed firsthand our students exemplify his themes. It has been a great pleasure. This production has allowed us to embrace our childhood love of play onstage (which is what theatre is all about) and take on ownership in the “adult world” behind the scenes. So many students have taken on production roles that demonstrate their leadership, maturity and dedication. As one of the “adults” in this production I thank the students for continuing to take ownership and responsibility; more importantly in their joy for live theatre, I thank them for keeping me young! Kudos to Mr. C and all the rest of the kids out there!
Set/Lighting Crew Gryphen Colling Nik Parras Andrew Brodkin
Make Up/Hair Design Tara Gerami Rhonda Lidgold
Properties Heads Lara Zarum Midori Schroeder
Prop Team Michelle Murphy Rhoda Lidgold Julia Gutowski Lucina Pinto Tara Gerami
Publicity Heads Sydney Purchase Chloe Forsyth
Publicity Team Andrew Grossman Matt Houghton- Curran Jessica McKenzie
Written and Recorded Music Jim O’Brien Giordan Postorino
Musicians Jim O’Brien Giordan Postorino Lucas Fredette Nathan Dell- Vandenberg Max Evans Chris Whitley William Walsh
Special Thanks Admin Staff Humanities Dept Caretaking and everyone who contributed to this production
Crew
Past Shows
Future Shows
Rosedale has always been known for the extraordinary shows that it puts on. Thanks to our professional staff and talented students, Rosedale has been able to produce works of art time and time again. From over the top (like Rocky Horror, Cabaret, Alice in Wonderland and Rebel without a Cause) to serious timepieces like A Tale of Two Cities, and Les Miserables, our school has proved itself to be diverse and outgoing thus keeping the Rosedale spirit alive. During Rocky Horror, our inner Transylvanians came out and not only were the actors on stage dancing about with wild abandon, but the audience was also on their feet. In Les Miserables many of the audience members were brought to tears by the end of the show. Teachers and students alike enjoyed the show and told us of how truly powerful it was. Drama Production’s rendition of A Tale of Two Cities put on last year had the biggest attendance ever to a Rosedale show with no music involved; a milestone in our books.
Rosedale has been working exceptionally hard this year to bring our shows to you in the best way we can. We are definitely not stopping with Peter Pan. In April, our musical theatre class is putting on Cole Porter’s Anything Goes, a story about a cruise and capsized love. Later in the year, our dance classes are all coming together to put on a unique circus called Circo della Vita! Life itself can be a circus and with all our other dance shows, it will be a mix of our RHSA Dance Company and the open classes that the students take. Appearing for the first time this year is our own Rosedale Heights School of the Arts Fashion show. The outfits are worn, sewn, and designed by the students.
The Peter Pan Story The true test of timelessness is having the ability to write a story that every single human being can relate to. Not everyone can relate to a boy in green tights or a fierce pirate but rather something much deeper. The similarities between this play and the people you are seated beside are that everyone has dreamt of something com-pletely impossible. Everyone has, at some point in their life, conjured something that is totally inconceivable. Peter Pan bridges the gap between impossibility and reality.
CrewCostume Design Heads Susan Anderson Mia Travers
Costume Design Team Jennifer Campbell Mia Travers Nicole Weinberg Jeremy Amerally Caitlin Edstrom Leslie MacKenzie
Wardrobe Heads Alannah Harlise Eva McDonough
Set Construction Head Jackson Feist
Set Construction Team Gryphen Colling Conor Van Abbe Ashton Doudelet Lucina Pinto Samantha Smith Jack Manchester Nyomi Fine Ari Lyon-Wein
Set Painting Head Sydney Kondruss
Set Painters Adrienne Dagg Celine Van Der Linde
Lighting Design Head Mallory Windsor Heather St. Croix
Lighting Consultant Arun Srinivasn
Sound Design Head Reannda Seenath
Sound Team Caleb Gilman Jake Morrow
The Darling FamilyMr. Darling: Matthew Howe
Mrs. Darling: Heather St. CroixWendy: Lily Goderstad
John: Ari Lyon-WeinMichael: Josh Korngut
Nana: Lucas JulienLiza: Syd Kondruss
Older Wendy: Rhonda LidgoldJane: Lucina Pinto
Peter & the Lost BoysPeter Pan: Ashton Doudelet
Peter’s Shadow: My Anh TranTinkerbell: Nicole Weinberg
Tootles: Sydney PurchaseNibs: Jeremy AmerallySlightly: Lucas Julien
Curly: Tara GeramiFirst Twin: Susan AndersonSecond Twin: Chloë Forsyth
Cast
The Natives/Mermaids*
Tiger Lily: Lara ZarumSyd Kondruss*
Mia Travers*Monique McDonough*
Jennifer Campbell*Alannah Harlise*Samantha Smith*
Matthew HoweHeather St. Croix
The PiratesHook: Jack Manchester
Smee: Jake MorrowCecco: Luke Sutherland
Bill Jukes: Caitlin EdstromStarkey: Andrew GrosmanCookson: Mallory WindsorNoodler: Ashleigh HibbinsMullins: Midori SchroederSkylights: Conor Van AbbeScurrie: Leslie MacKenzie
CrewDirector Chris Coculuzzi
Producer John Blakey
Assistant Directors Julia Gutowski Michelle Murphy Matt Houghton-Curran Jessica McKenzie
Assistant Producers Tanya Rintoul Marina Moriera Nyomi Fyne
Technical Directors Luke Sutherland Andrew Brodkin Nyomi Fine
Fight Director Simon Fon
Fight Captain Anne Van Wijk Dramaturgy Mathew Howe Samantha Smith
Stage Managers Chloe Brett Daniel McCormack
Asst Stage Managers Lucas Julien Joshua Korngut Choreography My Anh Tran
Choreography Consultants Mr. Li Ms. Marsh
Set Design Ashleigh Hibbins
Set Design Team Ari Lyon-Wein Adrienne Dagg