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Peter Pan flying into Keyano Theater

Last Updated Aug 3, 2017 at 6:52 am MDT

PHOTO. Kevin Janes plays Peter Pan in Keyano Theater Company’s Drama Force production of Disney's Peter Pan Jr. Melanie Walsh. AFTERNOON NEWS ANCHOR.

Youth from the Wood Buffalo region are having quite the adventure this summer.

Over 30 youth from the ages of 10-17 are participating in Keyano Theater Company’s Drama Force.

The intensive workshop gives youth an exciting theatrical learning experience and creative performance opportunity.

Roxanne Dicke is the director of Drama Force and has 20 years of experience as a director and theater educator.

For the fourth year of the project, she chose to do Disney’s Peter Pan Jr.

“Peter Pan is a story about magic. It’s about imagination and I think it’s a perfect summer time story,” said Dicke. “I also love the idea of working with a group of youth in a play that celebrates playfulness, the imagination, make-belief, getting lost in a great story and really celebrates the power of kids.”

Dicke told MyMcMurray that it is a very intense process for the cast and she is amazed by their energy.

The cast learns performance skills in a variety of disciplines such as voice, movement, dance, acting and improvisation as well as the dynamics of technical theatre.

She says there was natural casting that came out of the group of kids.

“We have people in the exact right roles. I kept it on a really, really tight schedule this year, it’s a big show and they demonstrated that they can really pull this off in three weeks, in a way that it is a polished piece.”

Captain James Hook

PHOTO. Camryn Hannigan plays Captain Hook in Keyano Theater Company’s Drama Force production of Disney's Peter Pan Jr. Melanie Walsh. AFTERNOON NEWS ANCHOR.
PHOTO. Camryn Hannigan plays Captain Hook in Keyano Theater Company’s Drama Force production of Disney’s Peter Pan Jr. Melanie Walsh. AFTERNOON NEWS ANCHOR.

Camryn Hannigan, 15, is playing the role of Captain James Hook.

This is her fourth time in a Drama Force production.

“I definitely love the experience you are able to get from the program. The directors and instructors present in the play treat this as if it is just another professional show. They don’t dumb it down just because we’re kids, they want us to strive to reach our full potential and I think that is truly important.”

Hannigan and her cast mates have learned many things along the way, from blocking and where to stand on the stage and proper theater etiquette.

“Each year I always fall in love with the costumes and the characters I am able to play and everyone who is also part of the production,” said Hannigan. “But as for Peter Pan, there is quiet the confrontation between Captain Hook and Peter Pan, and I don’t want to give to much away but it is quite the swash-buckling experience!”

Rehearsals began Thursday, July 13, giving the cast under a month to be able to share the story of Peter Pan, the Darlings, Captain Hook and the rest of Neverland with Fort McMurray.

Show times are Friday, Aug. 4 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 5 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $15 and are available online or at the Keyano Theatre box office.