The notion of never having to grow up is particularly poignant for high school students as they prepare to take on the responsibilities of adulthood.
Salmon Arm Secondary Grade 11-12 acting students have been given a reprieve of sorts in Neverland.
For the past three months, the students have been rehearsing their roles in Peter Pan, which will run June 3 to 7 in the SAS theatre.
“I wanted to have a show that would excite the students; something they were familiar with and something that would inspire them to work to their full potential,” says drama teacher Danielle Berger. “The classroom literally erupted, when I finally told them. Their reaction exceeded my expectations.”
Berger, who believes in the power of performing arts, says of equal importance to her is that the theatre is a safe place, a judgment-free zone.
“I have to lock the doors to keep them out,” she says laughing.
“But we still get in,” giggles Tinkerbell (Grade 11 student Annick Smith). I would never leave the theatre if I didn’t have to.”
Nathan Zwicker, who plays Peter to Ami Owens’ Wendy, and Kyle Laitinen, who has taken on the role of Wendy’s brother John Darling, nod their heads and chatter their agreement.
“It’s obvious there’s a positive energy,” Berger says, smiling at the four students. “They’re amazing, their enthusiasm is ridiculous and their talent is amazing.”
Zwicker has already taken his talent beyond the school, appearing recently in Shuswap Theatre’s The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) and winning Best Youth Performance at the Okanagan Zone Festival.
“We get the positive energy from Mrs. Berger, she has the ego of a performer and she inspires us,” he says.
“We all love Ms. Berger, adds Smith. “l don’t think there’s another teacher I would do all this for.”
Zwicker, who thrives on the rush of performance, was thrilled with Berger’s choice and his starring role.
“Peter Pan is attractive because you really don’t have to be a grown up,” he says. “Having the theme of childhood as we graduate, it’s a nice feeling to end the year on that note.”
Zwicker nods his head enthusiastically when asked if he will fly, but Berger looks nervous.
“We just worked out how he flies,” she says. “But we like to call it suspended – just above the ground.”
Zwicker will take a year off before heading to theatre school with dreams a career on-stage and eventually in film.
Also pursuing a degree in the performing arts, Owens says the stage is where she is truly in her element.
“It’s good to take a break from your own self, putting yourself into another personality.”
Her family has moved around a lot and school theatres have provided a safe and welcoming place.
Blushing from both parties aside, Owens says being Zwicker’s girlfriend has helped her play Wendy.
“It definitely makes it easier to have the chemistry,” she says shyly.
“It’s easier to ignore her,” Zwicker laughs of Peter’s attitude in the play. “The only kicker is, I only get to kiss her on the cheek.”
Well-suited to her role, the bubbly Smith says her nickname throughout her life has been Tinkerbell.
“I was so excited, it’s such a fun play,” she says. “You put all your emotions into the show. It’s truly a break from everything that may be going on in your life…”
The Grade 11 is also saying goodbye to SAS, heeding to an arts high school in Edmonton in September.
“All my friends are graduating and I get to go on to bigger things too,” she says. “Some of my best friends are here.”
Also in Grade 11, Laitinen says he will definitely be returning to the school theatre next year.
Very shy and knowing nobody when he began high school, Laitinen says the theatre program has improved his self-confidence.
“I was alone and then I decided to join drama and the after-school musical theatre…,” he says “It’s given me a place to be myself, to belong, to not be judged.”
Laitinen says he will probably stay in Salmon Arm after graduation, eventually taking over the family farm.
But the young trombone player says he may feed his interest in performing by getting involved with local theatre.
Before they move on, the students in Berger’s class will remain in Neverland for a while longer.
Peter Pan Begins June 3 and plays nightly to Saturday, June 7 at 6:30 with a Saturday matinee at 1 p.m.
