On November 12, a ninth through twelfth-grade collection performed Peter and The Starcatcher. As a member of the Wilmington Friends community, watching the play prompted multiple thoughts of what might go on inside the actors’ or actresses’ minds throughout the process of Peter and The Starcatcher. 

“It is really scary before the curtains open. It’s pitch black, only the safety lights on, and lots of thoughts wandering in my mind,” reveals Peter and The Starcatchers’ Alf, played by Ellie Driscoll 25’. 

The opening curtains are the most surreal, and petrifying part of the play. Not just for Peter and The Starcatcher, but any play with an experienced actor or actress. It is not unusual to be anxious about an event, because of all the other thoughts that could be roaming: “How are people going to react? Will they like it? Can I adjust to my character?” 

“It’s a nice break to be in theater from homework and college applications. It was also nice to absorb yourself into a different person, and adapt their story/life,” suggests Peter and The Starcatchers’ Mrs. Bumbrake, played by Zarina Stone 22’.

One of the biggest adjustments the Wilmington Friends Peter and The Starcatcher cast had to make was delivering jokes to the audience. Tech week was a big support pillar leading up to the play that allowed the cast to practice lines, lights, sounds, microphones, dances, and songs. Even though, a lot of people found tech week to be stressful, considering the time spent on other extracurricular activities, and school work.

“The last week was the most stressful because I had a sport, which made it difficult to swim back to back with play practice,” indicates Peter and The Starcatchers’ Molly, played by Finola Mimnagh ’22. 

New, uprising theater stars found this play as an opportunity to bond and learn. Lorne McDonell 25’ got the chance to go on stage, as tech crew, and become an ocean. McDonell took this play to his advantage to gain confidence and courage. 

Surreal moments in the play are different for everyone. Being in lockdown due to COVID-19 lately has made it a blessing to be back on stage for most. 

“Standing behind the curtain waiting for it to open was the most surreal moment. It hasn’t happened in a while due to COVID, and I really enjoyed that,” states Stone.

“This is the first lead I’ve gotten. Normally I am a part of the ensemble… The play itself had a lot of more magical aspects. Like when, I was sitting on a seesaw waiting to fly, and the amulet itself,” says Mimnagh.

The most important takeaway varies between memorizing lines, being a part of the cast, or the play going as planned. Nothing has to be perfect in a play, half of it is all made up anyway. Overall most actors and actresses would answer the same question, with the same answer.

“Be comfortable and trust yourself.  Don’t worry because you will get there at some point. Even not memorizing lines before tech week you will still be fine,” explains Driscoll.

Opening the curtain during a school show, and knowing this performance is in front of the entire school is an ongoing trial with new paths every second.

“I think of it like you are on the rollercoaster and before the play you go up, then there is a super adrenaline rush right before you perform. The curtains open, kind of a blur, and you fall right down the roller coaster. It’s hard to control emotions, but at the end it’s a big sigh of relief.” recaps Mimnagh.