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So far, over $45,000 has been devoted to creating Heritage’s upcoming “Peter Pan” play. Drama teacher Mr. Usher initially paid $30,000 to purchase a 3-part set, and another $16,000 was paid to install a flying system within the theater that allows the characters to seemingly fly throughout the theater.
The set consists of 4 different settings: the Darlings’ main room of their home, Neverland: both an above ground and below ground setting where the Lost Boys live, and Captain Hook’s pirate ship. The set was designed to quickly change from one setting to another, since the pieces are designed to easily roll left and right. Although the set was pricey, Mr. Usher has already sold the set to another school for $30,000. “It was basically a freebie,” said Mr. Usher.
A flying system was set up throughout the theater by a company named ZFX. The company rigs the theater with all the wires, harnesses, and hardware necessary to propel the actors through the 87 foot high theater. The company then spends a week at the school teaching the crew of the play how to use the system. The harnesses allow the weight of the person being lifted to seem two times lighter. For example, if an actor weighs 120 pounds, 60 pounds must be lifted. “Allowing the actors to fly through the theater requires incredible strength, and we haven’t even found enough people to help with the lifting aspect yet.”
Although the play will be complicated to perform and costs a huge sum of money, Mr. Usher believes that the play will be such a huge success that it will actually earn a profit. “Peter Pan is a show that every little child would absolutely love to see,” said Usher. “I expect all 800 seats to sell out for all 5 nights that the play is performed.”
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