Director Bill Gasper has chosen “Peter Pan: Journey to Neverland” as Hays High School’s Fall Play for 2025.
The interest meeting for any students who wanted to participate, either as a cast member or crew member, was on Wednesday, Aug. 27. Audition dates were Tuesday, Sept. 9 and Wednesday, Sept. 10. The cast list was published on Saturday, Sept. 13, and rehearsals began on Wednesday, Sept. 17. Production dates will be Nov. 13, 14 and 15 in the new Hays High auditorium.
The information given to interested students by Gasper had this synopsis about the play: “Although this is an adaptation, it closely resembles the original play and book by J.M. Barrie. However, several characters have been eliminated, certain parts of the play shortened, and some roles have been enhanced. For example, in this version, Tinkerbell has been humanized and has been given significant lines. Tiger Lily’s character also has been enhanced, and her role is one of a calm, level-headed native princess. Additional lines also have been added for the Lost Boys and Pirates. Because it is our adaptation, it is basically a work in progress, and we have the ability to change things as needed, as long as we don’t stray too far from the original premise of the play.”
About 20 students were cast for roles in the play, ranging from characters with 200+ lines of dialogue, such as the titular Peter Pan, Wendy and the Storyteller, to characters with less than 30 lines of dialogue, such as the various Lost Boys and the pirates.
The full cast list includes the following:
Storyteller – Allison Goertzen
Young Wendy – Kennedy Smith
Mrs. Darling – Elizabeth Nickel
Wendy Darling – Rose Windholz
John Darling – Jesse Staab
Michael Darling – Charlie Lynd
Mr. Darling – Jacob Ridgway
Jane – Kennedy Smith
Peter Pan – Riley Flax
Tinker Bell – Ella Fenwick
Curly – Mari Paxton
Twin 1 – Rowan Neeley
Twin 2 – Madicyn Urban
Slightly – Elisabeth Bergman
Tootles – Alexis Ryan
Nibs – Leah Thomas
Tiger Lily – Juliet Gross
Captain James Hook – Bryler Russell
Starkey – Jacob Ridgway
Smee – Shiloh “Bugs” Gaschler
Jukes – Darrius Wise
Ceeco – Korbin Miller
Cookson – Caleb Nicholas
Noodler – Zachary Leiker
Mullins – Nevaeh Duncan
Flint – Maia Gray
Cookie – Kennedy Smith
Director’s Assistant/Sound – Anna Zerr
Lights – TBA
Stage Manager – Kennedy Walburn
Stage Crew – Kennedy Smith, Nevaeh Duncan, Maia Gray, Emily Nicholas, Cast
Possible Stage Crew Members – Jennifer Kemp, Jayci Plante
If you are interested, the script is available online for free at https://tinyurl.com/Peter-Pan-Script.
The cast has shared that they are happy with the play chosen and are excited to perform.
Senior Bryler Russell, who plays Captain Hook, said, “Peter Pan is a classic and is very well known, which makes it perfect for the first play in the new auditorium. Also, with the story of Peter Pan being in the public domain, we are able to make all sorts of changes to make it more relatable and entertaining.”
Additionally, senior Rose Windholz, who plays Wendy, said, “We have an outstanding cast this year, and I can’t wait for everything to fall into place.”
27jridgway@usd489.com
