By Laurie O’Brien
Daire Byrne, Spencer Rex, and Andrew McDougall have a couple of things in common: First, they all have a parent who works for the Olympia School District or, in Rex’s case, served, until very recently, on the board of the Olympia School District Education Foundation; second, they all have a love for performing on stage; and third, all three know how to fly!
Byrne, a 16-year-old junior at Olympia High School, has performed in numerous plays and musicals, but getting the opportunity to fly “sealed my decision to audition” for the role of Wendy Darling in this weekend’s OSD Players’ Production of Peter Pan. She’s been in the ensemble for other OSD shows, but this is her first feature role.
Thirteen-year-old Spencer Rex is also excited to fly. “It kind of hurts, but it’s worth it,” says the Jefferson Middle School student. He and his stage siblings went airborne for the first time on Monday night at a closed rehearsal. With help from a “Flying Director” sent out by the company Flying by Foy, the three kids plus two adult actors learned how to position themselves and maintain control while in the air. Without spoiling the magic, it’s safe to say that stage flying involves a little bit more than a sprinkle or two of pixie dust.
All three young thespians admit that they started out the night just spinning in circles. “You don’t get dizzy though,” says Andrew McDougall, “you just feel kind of heavy!” The McKenny Elementary School 4th grader auditioned for this year’s show with a certain role in mind. “I knew if I got Michael I’d get to fly,” he grins.
By the end of that first night, the trio and their adult counterparts were sailing across the stage, performing to the delight of their fellow cast members. “It’s kind of fun to look down at the crowd in the auditorium because they look like ants,” says McDougall.
Kate Ayers, an Artist in Residence with the Olympia Family Theater plays the boy who won’t grow up, and at Tuesday night’s rehearsal with the full orchestra, when Pan bursts through the nursery window, you sense that it’s not Ayers first time in the air. “I’ve played the role several times now,” she says. “It’s just so much fun!” It would seem this flying thing is a bit addictive.
In addition to the “flyers” many familiar faces will be appearing in Peter Pan. Among them is Marshall Middle School teacher Jason Haws who is a regular at Olympia’s Harlequin Productions. This is Haws’ first OSD production in a number of years, but with a talent for over-the-top musical roles, how could he resist the opportunity to play the villainous Captain Hook? In all, nearly 70 OSD employees and family members will be on stage this weekend.
Peter Pan is a classic children’s story, full of incredible music, pirates, and just a hint of magic!
Peter Pan will be performed at Olympia High School’s Performing Arts Center on February 20th – 23rd. Showtimes are:
Thursday, February 20 at 7 p.m.
Friday, February 21 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, February 23 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available on line here.
They may also be purchased at the door before each performance. Group sales and accessible seating are available by calling the OSDEF office at 753-8853.
The OSD Players musical has been an annual event since 1993. Since 2005 all proceeds from the play have gone to benefit the Olympia School District Education Foundation (OSDEF).
