Hello again! It’s me, Peter Pan! Wow, here we are at the OFF BOOK mark. For those who do not know what that means, “off book” is when actors are no longer allowed to use scripts during rehearsals. All of our lines must be memorized by the “off book“ date. The director normally schedules off-book days when we’re about 2 or 3 weeks away from opening night. In most productions, I normally freak out on the first off book day. This time around, I actually already knew the majority of my lines 3 weeks before the off book date! That rarely happens for me. I think I knew most of my Peter Pan lines because I’ve been reciting them since I was really little. 

But alas, here we are. I am so excited about this show! It’s coming along wonderfully. All of the choreography has been taught and most of the set has been painted. Just a few more sleepless nights this week and everything should be finished and ready for move-in on Saturday. It seems way too early to be moving the set and rehearsals to Wallace Hall. I feel like we should have another 2 weeks before that happens. 

Time to get serious!

I’m getting closer to having my costume done as well. Meaning, I purchased what I need for it but haven’t actually started making it yet haha! My goal is to match the Cathy Rigby costume as much as possible. Hopefully, it won’t be too hard. 

Today, I was taught my fight choreography. It was so much fun! I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do some real sword fighting. When I was really little, I fell in love with the sword fighting and fencing in my favorite fairy tale movies. It always looked so thrilling and I never thought I’d actually be doing it on stage one day. I can’t wait to really get into it and take down mean ol’ Hook!

I am so excited about flying next week too! I’m also a bit nervous about it. I do have a slight fear of heights after all. It’s not the “height” that I have an issue with, it’s the falling from the height that scares me. Hopefully, I can make my mind understand that I am hanging from a secure harness and I won’t fall. Unless the fly men drop me!
Well, that’s my update for now. Be sure to check back often to read more Peter Pan updates from me and the rest of the cast. The next time you hear from me, I’ll be in Never Land!

Faith, Trust, and Santana Dust! 

Greetings from Neverland! I am Jason St. John.  I have the unique opportunity of playing Mr. Darling and Captain Hook in the upcoming production of Peter Pan.  This is my first experience with the CharACTers and I am very honored to be involved with this talented group of people. 

I guess I should tell you a few things about myself.  I am a Theatre, English, and Broadcasting teacher at Gadsden City High School.  I have been involved with Theatre in the Gadsden area for over 20 years.  I completed a Bachelors degree in Theatrical performance from Jacksonville State University in 1997.  I received a Masters of Fine Arts degree in theatrical design and technical theatre from the University of Alabama in 2005.  

I worked in Atlanta for Turner Broadcasting System, The Georgia Renaissance Festival, and various theatres in the Metro area.  Closer to home, I have worked for The Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Birmingham Southern College, Jacksonville State University, Red Mountain Theatre Company, Gadsden State Community College, Birmingham Festival Theatre, and Gadsden City High School.  

I have been involved with Theatre in the community as a former board member of Theatre of Gadsden, Professor of Theatre at Gadsden State Community College, and one of the founders of The Rogues.

It has been 4 years since I was last seen onstage as Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and I am definitely enjoying my time with the cast.  I look forward to my sons, Jake and Jonah, getting to see daddy perform for them for the first time in their lives.  That being said...I can't tell you how challenging bringing such an iconic role such as Hook to life!  I have really been trying to bring my own spin on the character.  I find, though, that what has been my main challenge is trying to sing, dance, and act at the same time...Sure was easier 20 years ago!

Jason St. John

Hello All! 

It's Rebekah Wall again! After a long, eventful summer full of both vacationing and rehearsing, I'm back and crazier than ever! When I began thinking of how crazy my senior year was going to be, I never expected to be squeezing in a thoroughly magical trip to Neverland! In fact, my journey as Wendy Moira Angela Darling has been nothing but unexpected. 

Rehearsals are going swimmingly, and I am thankful to be once again in the groove of things theatrically. I am especially thankful to be back in the close company of great friends who share in the craziness. It's those people who motivate one to wake up each day and get excited about making their world their stage. I know I do! And it's the lives of those touched through the magic of theatrics that make this all it means to me. This is my motivation for Peter Pan: that everyone is awaiting their turn to be magnificently escorted into NEVERLAND, and that's my duty! After all, it is Wendy's story! 

Oh how excited I am to bring that to this character, but oh so far I have to go. I am slowly catching up to the reality of this character, even though I am thoroughly excited and up for the challenge. I do realize that Wendy seems fairly simple; she's motherly. Even I misjudged her, but I have caught on to so much more that I can't wait to share with the audience! Not only is Wendy motherly but she is so full of passion for the tales she tells and the decisions she makes in what to pass on to the next generation. 

Wendy is seemingly a stable character, but brave, especially through her inner struggling with growing up. She is on the verge of lady hood, but is dying for that last, daring adventure. Little does she know, that adventure becomes her escape from reality and deciding what she really wants, just as it did for Peter. I am excited to tap into what happens to Wendy emotionally as she soars through this amazing adventure, discovers who she really is through playing pretend, and is brought back to adulthood through the reality that she can't love Peter. There is so much to discover through this character and it is so exciting to get to know a character on a deeper level. 

This is only the beginning to my trip to Neverland, and I truly can't wait to show you all where I take this character! Usually I love taking small characters and making them absolutely all they can be, but this time around I have my work cut out for me. Wendy has the potential to be an amazing character. I love enlightening you all on the deeper trains of thought I go through when researching a character. As much journeying as I have to go on this character, I sure am anxiously awaiting the moment I take flight and escape to NEVERLAND!  

Keep checking us out to stay posted with our progress, and don't miss the show!  See you in Neverland!   Here We GO!!! 


Rebekah Wall