The journey...

Each year the process begins with selecting the show. Working with her creative team, Director of Theatre Arts Lindsay Quinn goes through an extensive selection process. 

After weeks of keeping the choice 'under wraps', the Big Reveal occurs with the middle school students. Word spreads quickly throughout the community, and the excitement starts to build.

Soon it is time for the 6th-8th grade students to audition. Everyone who wants to be involved is included. Some who are reluctant are encouraged; everyone is supported to stretch their wings and try 

new things. Not a dancer? Give it a try. 

How about stage combat? Singing a solo? Encouragement is given, and new opportunities presented.

Dating back to their first appearance as the Christmas dogs in Annie, Swain's fifth graders are also included in the show - it is their first opportunity to appear in a Swain production, giving them a taste of everything involved.

For those middle schoolers not inclined to be on stage, there are backstage opportunities as well. There are students who assist the Director, Choreographer, Stage Manager, Costume Designer, Scenic Artist, and Communications Director. They learn new skills, come away with a better appreciation of what it takes to stage a show, and provide a lot of good help!

Meanwhile, Miss Quinn utilizes her Lower School drama classes to share the story of Peter Pan with her students, as well as the tools of dramatic play, storytelling and role-playing. Other teachers are bringing elements of Peter Pan and theatre into their classrooms.

After-school rehearsals commence, and even with the snowiest winter in recent memory, the show will go on! 

Everyone pulls together to learn lines, choreography, and music in a short amount of time. 

In addition to the Creative Team and their assistants, there is a flurry of activity among family volunteers and Swain staff who also support the show: managing the Box Office 

and house - feeding the cast and crew - sewing costumes - handling audio and light cues 

(right, Mr. Kemmerer on the sound board) - baking cookies - pulling together the 14-member pit orchestra - and many, many other tasks.

Soon it is show time! Almost 1,000 tickets have been sold for the three performances - the performers have given us a "Sneak Peek" of the show - and the curtain goes up for the first time.

The performances...

Whether you were able to attend any of the performances or not, we hope you will enjoy these photos from the dress rehearsal. Photographer Julia Getty took literally hundreds of additional photos at the Saturday matinee, and those will soon be available to view as well.

All of these photos are on Swain's website, www.swain.org - click on "Photos" in the upper right corner and travel to the "Theatre" gallery. You can save any of the photos and/or order prints - look for the "Buy" button above each image.

You can also order a professionally-produced video of the performance - use this order form or the one in the back of the program booklet.

Thank you for supporting this important activity - we hope you will see that it is much more than 'just putting on a show'. Everyone involved - students and adults alike - comes away with new skills, experiences, reflections, and knowing themselves and their peers just a little bit better.