Open Forum

To those who have or are directing Peter and the Starcatcher, I have a direct question concerning the portrayal of the Mollusks. I have read through several posts about this similar topic, and completed my directorial analysis on what I could consider the original intention of the characters and how they could be performed without perpetuating racist tropes and stereotypes. Not only that, I believed it could lead to an opportunity to discuss the original harmful aspects of JM Barrie's original Peter Pan. However, hours before we were to audition for the show, my vocal musical director quit the show because she could not be a part of a production that, in her mind, continued to do more harm than it intended to prevent. The only thing that would have allowed her to remain was to pick a different show. Since the rights have already been purchased, this was not a reasonable option. I'm now frightened that this may cause students who were considering to audition to now back out. I suppose I'm seeking some greater insight from anyone who has produced the production on how I can better explain to our students why were are producing the play, and how we will not perpetuate stereotypes nor racist tropes through directorial and acting choices. 

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JS
Illinois
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We are doing this play this fall, and this had been a concern of mine as well.  My analysis work with my student leaders led us to the idea that all of the Mollusks were shellfish before the starstuff mixed into the water, like how Teacher was a salmon.  Fighting Prawn had been a prawn.  Hawking clam had been a clam.  We are costuming them as such.  

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Jessica Shaw
MVHS Theatre Arts Teacher & Director
Mount Vernon High School
VA
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We did the show in 2018 and took the same approach of them being shellfish prior to mixing with the starstuff.

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Lu Jones
Cannon School
NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2023 06:15
From: Jessica Shaw
Subject: Peter and the Starcatcher - Mollusks

We are doing this play this fall, and this had been a concern of mine as well.  My analysis work with my student leaders led us to the idea that all of the Mollusks were shellfish before the starstuff mixed into the water, like how Teacher was a salmon.  Fighting Prawn had been a prawn.  Hawking clam had been a clam.  We are costuming them as such.  

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Jessica Shaw
MVHS Theatre Arts Teacher & Director
Mount Vernon High School
VA
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Jim,

We did this in 2021 as our "musical" during the Covid year.  I had a small group of students who did not participate because of this idea.  

I took the time with the cast to discuss satire in the show because, like you, I was looking at this piece as being critical of the original Peter Pan.  It helped them understand the scope of the show overall, and I think led to a better production overall!

Here's a copy of that slide show:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UwyCCbaeMt5rPO75F2SOwAEIbXp7Bw2U9GIyysakyTk/copy

My pirates made their own mermaid busts to wear, by the way, out of found items.  It was a hoot!  And since you are nearby, if you want to see/borrow them, shoot me a message.

But I would keep going with this show, as there is a great message to send with this production!

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Raymond Palasz
Auditorium Director/Director of Theatre
Munster High School
IN
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