WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., April 5, 2023 — West Liberty University’s theater production of “Peter and The Starcatcher” received two national awards from the Kennedy Center recently, the Distinguished Performance Ensemble and Distinguished Performance by an Actor (Joel Nau) awards.
Taking part as an invited Region 2 production, the honors are a result of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), a national theater program involving 18,000 students annually from colleges and universities across the country.
“These latest national honors truly illustrate the consistency of our success as a program and I congratulate all the talented students and excellent faculty who worked on the play,” said WLU Theater Director Michael Aulick.
“This is the third time one of our productions has been invited to the festival and then received additional recognitions at the regional and national levels. We couldn’t be prouder,” he added.
“Peter and the Starcatcher” upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be Peter Pan. A prequel to the classic tale of “Peter Pan,” the action begins like a journey and quickly becomes a thrilling adventure.
A wildly theatrical adaptation of Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s best-selling novels, the play was conceived for the stage by directors, Roger Rees and Alex Timbers, and written by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker.
It was produced at Kelly Theater in December 2022.
“I congratulate our students and theater director Michael Aulick on this honor. West Liberty University has an outstanding theater program that continues its long tradition of excellence here on the Hilltop. I’m so proud of the big things they do with a small program!” said Dr. Cecilia Konchar Farr, dean of the College of Liberal and Creative Arts.
The play includes 19 students in the cast and crew, not to mention additional students working in shops and backstage work.
Other members of the cast and crew includes:
- Odessa Hores played Smee and was the Musical Director/Vocal Coach.
- Calian Byard played Lord Aster and handled props and some assistant director duties.
- Dan White played Boy (Peter) and was fight choreographer/captain.
- Roman Hicks played Prentiss and did work as lighting designer
- Paige Fields played Molly and was a choreographer and assisted in stage movement.
- Isabella Costantini played Mack and designed hair and makeup
- Len Batson played Alf and designed and made the mermaid costumes.
- Georgia Richardson played Slank and served as dialect coach.
- Benjamin Mounsey played Teddy and the puppet designer/builder.
- Merritt Craft was a member of the ensemble and performed public relations duties.
- Fiona Ruston was a member of the ensemble and assisted with costumes.
- Kris Marosz was sound designer and ran the board for the show.
- Shannon Shiflett played Mrs. Betty Brumbake.
- Greyson Grimmett played Robert Falcon Scott.
- Teirron Griffin played Gremkin and Hawking Clam.
- Bennett Cassatta was an ensemble member and Gremkin understudy.
- Daisy Deaton was an ensemble member and was understudy to Molly.
- Jordan Derring was the student, stage manager.
- Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Douglas McCall mentored the musical director and was the accompanist, along with Jason Sivert on percussion.
- Assistant Professor of Theater Meta Lasch mentored most of the student work and produced a number of the scenic and/or costume elements.
For more information on the Theatre Department, please visit the College of Liberal and Creative Arts website or call 304-336-8006. For more information on WLU, please call 1.866.WESTLIB or visit westliberty.edu.