Senior Emma Underwood has worked with props for theater productions since her freshman year, but this year’s fall play, The Neverland Project, poses one particular challenge.
“This show, we do have to make a fake cake, and I’m a little bit nervous about that,” Underwood, prop design leader for the play, said.
The fake cake will appear in a scene in which the pirates and Lost Boys are first introduced. The props team is considering several options for making the cake, including painted cardboard and paper mache.
The Neverland Project tells the story of siblings Wendy, John, and Michael and their adventures in the Neverland. Wendy guides the story, which is told in the style of a documentary, by following the book she wrote about the experience.
Work on the fall play began with auditions, and for the last few weeks, the actors have been rehearsing. Now the full stage crew has reported, and other behind-the-scenes work has progressed.
The Neverland Project presents challenges and opportunities beyond the cake, student leaders said.
“I am most excited to build and design the Lost Boys and Peter’s house, which is built under a tree,” said senior Abby Horn, scenic director for the play. “It’s going to be incredibly colorful, with several fun props and additions put into it to make it feel lived in and homey, and also, so the actors can utilize it for some of the background scenes.”
In designing the set, the team is emphasizing the youthful aspect of the story.
“Honestly, a playground was our biggest inspiration for the set. We wanted it to capture the whimsy and childlike essence of the story, especially the never-growing-up aspect,” Horn said.
Outside of the set and props, other student leaders contribute to the backstage area. Senior Josephine Wysocki is stage manager for the play.
“I pretty much manage everything that’s going on backstage,” she said. “I have to know where all the actors are supposed to be at all times, I help with prop stuff, I manage the actual stage crew, and just make sure everything runs smoothly.”
Meanwhile, it is sophomore Mackenzie Myers’s first year as assistant stage manager. One aspect of her role involves making sure nothing goes wrong backstage and dealing with issues when they arise.
“Since the crew has started, I’m going to have to tell them what their job is, where to put props, and where the props are. If an actor goes missing, which they will, it’s my job to go find them, or have someone else find them,” Myers said.
Wysocki said she is excited for all the elements of the play to combine.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the show come together,” Wysocki said. “I think we have a lot of talented people in the cast this year, and we have a lot of good stuff going on with the set and the crew, so I’m really excited to see all of that come together.”
Horn agreed, saying, “It is so rewarding to watch my plans come to life, with the combined effort of both my directors, cast and crew mates, and the parent volunteers.”
The Neverland Project will run on Nov. 13, 14, and 15 at 7 p.m.
