Seattle Prep’s Drama Program is putting out a new production for spring: Peter and the Starcatcher. The play will begin streaming online May 7^th through 16^th and though it has seen its unique set of challenges, both the director and the actors are very excited to put it on.

When asked how he came to choose Peter and the Starcatcher, Mr. Othman, the director of the play, said “I saw this show on Broadway six years ago and what I saw was a show where the story was told in an ingenious way. So, when it came to choosing a play for a production with social distancing, I had to do a show I knew really well, so this show was a perfect fit.”

When asked about some of the major differences, Mr. Othman said that the most noticeable change is that there is no “live” audience: “The show will be performed and recorded as if it is live, and then it will be streamed out online to those who want to watch it.” He went onto describe the changes to the acting itself: “Actors will perform in masks with speaking shields. Though the speaking shields help a little with dictation, maintaining good dictation will still be challenging.” Physicality and staging will also change as “no actors are allowed to touch each other.”

Though these changes have been a major undertaking for actors to adjust to, actors seem to be taking to these changes in full stride; They are eager to try their best to adapt to the situation that has presented itself.

Evie Byers ’21 said “I’m really proud of my fellow actors, I think we’ve stepped up to the plate because I know it’s a really, really hard challenge to step up to the changes and I know it’s been frustrating doing so.”

However, changes made to this production process haven’t only presented challenges to the actors; These changes have also presented demonstrable benefits which the actors have noted.

When asked about what he thought the biggest benefit of an in-person production was, Patrick Gent ’22 said “The biggest benefit is the family that has been created during this production is very uncommon to see. This cast is very tight-knit as everyone was struggling with the same things, so bonding was second nature to all of us.”

When asked the same question, Byers said “Without a doubt getting to see my friends again. I missed them more than I knew and now that we’re back together I am grateful every day for it.”

Tickets are on sale now, so be sure to pick up some for yourself. It’ll be streaming May 7^th through the 16^th at 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2pm on Sundays. It’s sure to be a good show as, according to Mr. Othman, “the actors have been trying their hardest to make sure everything comes together.”