Flathead High stages 'Peter Pan'

Flathead High School Theatre begins the 2012-13 season with a production for the young and the young at heart with the enchanting children’s classic “Peter Pan” Sept. 6, 7 and 8 in the David M. Hashley Theatre. Show time is 7 p.m. each night.

Admission to this special production is free, with donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation accepted at the door.

“Peter Pan," a tale of perpetual youth, finds new life with every generation. The Lost Boys need a mother, and Peter Pan searches for just the right person. On a visit to his favorite window sill, he convinces Wendy, John and Michael to fly to Neverland and meet the Lost Boys.

Neverland is an exhilarating and mysterious island of sword play, mermaids, lost boys and the fearsome Captain Hook. With the help of the magical fairy Tinkerbell, Peter and the children experience many exciting adventures throughout Neverland and eventually escape Hook’s crew.

“To me, ‘Peter Pan’ is about learning about yourself as you grow. I think experiences in the real world are very crucial to becoming a full version of oneself. That's the only way you learn,” said Desirae Fauske, Flathead senior and student playwright and director.

“In this adaptation, we see how Wendy has a yearning to learn who she has the potential to become, and that's something Peter has never seen before.

“When I was writing this, I was constantly taken back by how relevant the story is upon entering my senior year,” Fauske added. “I think everyone is apprehensive to get the full experience of adulthood. ... I'm trying to convey is that adulthood is terrifying, but it's also rewarding.”

Fauske is producing and directing “Peter Pan” as part of her senior theater International Baccalaureate independent project. The IB curriculum encourages world culture education, conceptual and problem solving skills as well as an extremely rigorous work schedule.

“This is the third time an IB student has taken on a project of this magnitude,” said Valeri McGarvey, director of Flathead Theatre.

“Directing and producing a full-length project that is entirely student-generated is monumental. Desirae began working on the production in May and cast the play this summer.”

The cast of “Peter Pan” includes Danny Power, Brittany Kretske, Anna Stone, Elena Ploot, James Early, Page Swindle, Jackson Davey, Zachariah Timm, Mackenzie Williams, Jesse Francis, Jake Williams, Heidi Griffin, Dana Pfeifer, Cassidy Brown, Sierra Hanson, Jhalen Salazar, McKenna Miller and Catherine O’Brien.

Behind the scenes, Jakeb Williams, Alexandra Zografos, Eric Hogan, Anna Hayes, Allie Otten, Dana Pfeifer and Heidi Griffin make up the stage, lighting and sound crew.