Trying to navigate to Neverland?  Then steer second star to the right this weekend toward Sisters High School. Story by JEFF SPRY

On April 26-29, the student-led production of  J.M. Barrie’s timeless fantasy, Peter Pan, will help bring out your inner child.

The school’s regular drama teacher, Gary Bowne, has been recuperating from injuries sustained in a car accident last fall and for the past two months, a cast of high school drama students, led by director Katie Dumolt, has been rehearsing the classic play.

“We wanted to do a winter play like we did the last several years,” she said.   “I came across Peter Pan and people got so excited.”

Peter Pan began life as a 1904 play then became a book in 1911 with dozens of variations in stage, screen and storybooks.

“I think it’s a perfect play because everyone was a child at one point and the story focuses on how you must keep that alive, no matter where you live or sleep, you always need to go back to your youth and remember how to have fun but always maintain a balance,” Durnolt said.

Being a director held its own special conflicts and challenges as the production developed.  The auditorium is fine for bands and choir but for drama they don’t have the ability to use cables which is how Peter Pan flies. Making the flying look good was one of  the major obstacles but the crew came up with a unique method based on Russian theater that is safe and effective.

“I am unbelievably proud of every single person in the cast,” said Dumolt.  “No matter if they’re just a pirate, Tinker Bell or Hook.” 

Performances run Thursday, April 26 at 7 p.m., Friday, April 27 at 7pm, Saturday, April 28 at 2pm and 7 pm and Sunday, April 29 at 2pm.  Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students except for Saturday’s matinee when all students are free.