ANDERSON - The Highland Drama Club and Jr. Thespian Troupe for the 10th consecutive year put on performances of Peter Pan, Jr. on May 6-8, 2021 at the Highland Middle School (HMS) Auditorium.
According to Stage Director, Karen Sipes, who also serves as HMS Drama Coach and Director, the play was initially supposed to hit the stage in May 2019, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, rehearsals were halted after 4 weeks of rehearsal time.
Sipes, determined to get Peter Pan, Jr. on its feet, called the cast together to finish the show. However, almost 50% of the cast was no longer at HMS with many of them graduating to Anderson High School.
When Sipes learned that MTI had widened the age restrictions to any age, she immediately went about filling the vacant spots. This included students from Anderson High School, Anderson Intermediate School, Anderson Preparatory Academy, K-12 Virtual, and Home Schooled students in true community theatre style.
Anderson University musical theatre students who are working with the cast also took roles in the show. Some of the AHS student cast members are alumni from previous productions at Highland. Three faculty members also made their stage debuts in Peter Pan, Jr.
About Peter Pan, Jr.
In 1929 Sir J.M. Barrie bequeathed Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children in London, which has benefited thousands of children since then. The producers are proud and happy that everyone who bought a ticket for HMS' performances of Peter Pan, Jr. helped to support the hospital.
Additional details about the production of Peter Pan, Jr., including pictures and the Playbill, can be found here.