Wadsworth High School Drama Department began preparing in September for their fall play “Lost Girl.” “Lost Girl” is based off of the story “Peter Pan,” but from Wendy’s point of view. The plot begins with Wendy’s older brothers moving away from home along with their father while Wendy stays home alone with her mother. She is struggling to come to terms that Peter said he would return, but he has not.
“It’s an allegory of first love, and how do move on after that first love,” said Brianne Pernod, drama director and English teacher for WHS. “Its a story of how Wendy processes that return and waiting for Peter.”
Kendall Randolph, senior at WHS is playing the lead role as Wendy Darling. She will be on stage for the entirety of the show. Randolph brings lots of experience to the stage with her background of participating in Speech and Debate, and is excited to bring her character to life on stage.
“A big misconception with the play is that it’s not going to be Disney’s Wendy Darling,” said Randolph. “It’s going to be more book, Wendy Darling.”
For the play, Wendy’s character is described as strong minded, but emotionally lost because she is still looking for that kiss that Peter promised her. Randolph brings her character to life by trying to connect with the way that Wendy is feeling at that moment.
“I have to put in the mindset of how do I feel everyday, or how do I feel when I’m missing something, and I want to input that same feeling into the same environment,” Randolph said.
Another different aspect in this play compared to other plays is that there are no stage directions in the script. “It’s is entirely open to our [the cast] interpretation as to what this looks like coming to life,” Pernod said.
The cast began preparing for the show by reading and memorizing their lines. They also start going over and discussing each character’s development as the play goes on. They rehearse every single day after school from 2:45 p.m. to 5 p.m. They then move into the theater arts room and simulate the layout of the set. The show is a stationary set that simulates Wendy’s bedroom and the large window in the room.
Tickets will be available online to purchase. Tickets will also be available at the door for general admission and senior citizens. General admission costs $8. The show times are on Nov. 13, 14, and 15th at 7 p.m. and will take place at the Performing Arts Center in the high school.
