It's tech week for Peter Pan: How do you feel about growing up?
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The Bay Street Players Theatre is “[s]omething as you’ve never seen, the people, the atmosphere everything is breathtaking. It’s the type of place you lose track of time in,” Tori Yost says. The Bay Street Players Theatre is a small theatre located in Eustis, Florida. Built-in 1922 by Alan J. McDonough, the theatre is over 100 years old. It seats over 500 people, the capacity of a Broadway theatre. Ironically, back in 1922, only about 1,200 residents lived in Eustis. In 1974, the theatre was redesigned by a group of people with a vision of bringing theatre to Eustis. Later, in 1976, founding member Deborah J. Carpenter started one of the first youth theatre programs in Florida. This brought a lot of attention to the Bay Street Players Theatre, which made it a known landmark in Eustis. Over the years, the theatre has hosted many events, performances, and shows, and has become an integral part of the local community.
The Bay Street Players Theatre doesn’t just boast a cast of middle and high school students, but one that includes adult actors as well. One School of the Arts and Sciences scholar Tori Yost, 12th grade, Lorelei Wheaton, 11th grade, and Nate Huckabee, 8th grade, participated in Matilda over the summer, which ran 14 productions over a month and a half.
In the production, Tori was cast as Michael, Matilda’s older brother in the play, Nate was cast as Bruce, and Lorelei was cast as The Entertainer, as well as having a part in the teen ensemble. “This was my first ever community theater show,” Lorelei said. “It’s a [type of] free show [that] everybody can come and watch. I loved the show… It was probably my favorite show I have ever done. I would a thousand percent do it again.”
For Tori, her fascination with acting started when she acted in small skits for the church she attended as a child. This was the origin of Tori’s passion for theatre, igniting inside of her a craving for the thrill of the stage. “Acting gave me a chance to have a family and to feel like I am loved,” Tori stated. “While many people see theatre as a hobby, I see it as a way to express myself and connect with the world around me. I use theatre to give back to the community and to make a difference in the lives of others.” Tori proves that theatre can be much more than just a hobby for those willing to put in the effort.
Similarly to Tori, Lorelei’s interest in acting started at an early age. As a young girl, she watched Shrek the Musical and instantly fell in love with Sutton Foster, an actor who is a role model to her to this day. “Acting gave me a chance to be myself and do something that I really enjoy and love. I have been acting since I was seven, and I appreciate all the joy, memories, and friends it has given me,” Wheaton said. Lorelei has since then taken theatre classes and has put in the hours to hone her craft. She hopes to become a successful actor and inspires others to do the same.
Nate Huckebee’s acting career began at One School of the Arts when he was in kindergarten. He found himself drawn to the play Elf. He was cast as a background elf dancer, a minor role, but one that sparked his passion for acting. “I started acting to have more time with my friends, but it developed into a true love of theatre,” Nate said. Nate has been acting in One School productions for eight years and continues to enjoy participating in the theatre program today. His most recent role is playing Captain Hook in One School’s production of Peter Pan.
The plays at the Bay Street Players Theatre have brought numerous talented actors together and provided them with a platform to showcase their talents. Tori, Lorelei, and Nate are all thankful for the opportunities that Bay Street Theatre has given them and are committed to maximizing their performing skills, through both the OS Theatre program and the Bay Street Players Theatre. The Bay Street Theatre has been a great place to hone their craft and develop their skills. They have all been able to make great connections with the theatre community and are excited to continue to grow as performers. Summing up the purpose of her journey through theatre, Tori said, “The theatre is so much more than just a place. It’s a family, and I am proud to be a part of it.”
From performing on the humble One School stage, to taking on the big world of theater, Angelica King has taken her first steps into the theater world outside of our school. In October, Angelica was offered the opportunity to audition for an exclusive program where over 400 people auditioned. She got into the CGTV TV program where she, as well as 10 other people, moved up to the big leagues in Los Angeles.
The CGTV program is a program that is meant for high level performers to be connected to the TV and film to find a better connection to the performance industry. According to the CGTV website, “Talent is guided by top celebrities from ABC, NBC, CBS, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon shows including CSI, 24, Modern Family, The Suite Life on Deck, Disney 365, Drake & Josh, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Austin & Alley and Good Luck Charlie.”
When Angelica auditioned, she had no idea that taking on this audition would lead to such opportunities. Angelica states that, “I was so excited…but I didn’t know I was gonna get called to go to Los Angeles. I thought it was just gonna be a callback and I might get cut.” Unlike our school, the audition process was a bit different. The people who were auditioning were given a monologue and a scene to perform where they would then got feedback on their performance. She auditioned in front of Adrian R’Mante from “The Secret life of Zack and Cody” and she was just thrilled to meet him, “…we got to audition in front of Adrian and then when he gave you feedback, it just felt really cool.”
Over the course of the summer of 2023, Angelia traveled to LA to take the next step in the audition process. She got into a small group of people that represented the ages of the characters that they were to act as. Anyone from all ages could audition and participate, but only few got a chance to get to the level that Angelica did. “We were practicing scenes and monologues and doing workshops.” Angelica stayed in LA for nine days, “…Thursday we went to the set to film our scene with our scene partners, which was really exciting and really cool.” At the end of the week they had a showcase where they got to perform their scenes to possibly move up even further in this process. Despite her nerves, she was accepted to move to the next level.
During the nine days that Angelica was in LA, she got scouted by the agent that discovered Tom Cruise. “So he’s told me all the people that he’s cast things that he’s casted people that got jobs for and it’s people that I worked with, that’s actually crazy.” He has already given her a scene to perform and it is only a matter of time whether or not she gets a callback from him. She doesn’t know if he is going to sign her, but she is very excited for the opportunity, as well as the chance to take more acting classes. “…I don’t know if I’m going to have another callback or if he’ll decide if he wants to sign me but he also is getting me into different acting classes.”
Angelica has had many experiences throughout her time at this school that have led her to get the opportunity. She got first place in the Amazing Shake, which helped her with her business skills as well as her skills of talking to others in various situations. She has also performed in many shows at school, which helped her develop her performance skills and stage presence.
In the future, Angelica wants to be able to have the opportunities to perform in movies. However, she really wants to be able to become a producer or a director for future films and productions. “…I also want to direct and produce…that’s what I want to go to school for…”
Do you prefer the villains or the heros in a story?
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Have you ever looked at a commercial online or on the cover of a product and thought I would be great at that?
Nate Huckabee, Tyson Rice, 8th grade, and Dylan Downer, 3rd grade, take their acting to the next level by performing in commercials and taking photo passes for Disney World rides. All three, with the support of their families and the school, have gotten their name out in the world in pursuit of making a career out of it.
Throughout his career, Nate Huckabee, 8th grade, and his family did photoshoots for the photo pass for the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride at Epcot, the Japan area at Epcot, and Pandora section at Animal Kingdom. Nate has played many characters in the school plays and at a community theatre in Eustis where he acted, sang, and danced. He has been the Jr. Thespians co-president since the end of his seventh-grade year for his dedication and courage in the roles he plays. He was also an extra in films by JC Films titled Ghost Trader with Dean Cain and A Wave of Kindness with Kevin Sorbo. He performed for commercials for Disney’s Jingle Bell Jingle Bam that was is also featured in the Decorating Disney on Disney Plus.
“My favorite thing about acting and performing is seeing the audience reactions and hearing their applause,” said Nate Huckabee.
He is planning to continue acting in school plays and as a side job.
Tyson Rice, 8th grade, has been part of two commercials, one when he was a little kid and another recent one for a money management company. In his free time, he enjoys acting at the school and playing a wide range of roles. Working in commercials while still in middle school can be a fun thing to do, and also an excellent way to learn how to make money in the real world.
“It helps you better understand how time and effort together can result in something successful,” said Tyson Rice.
The One School theater program has helped encourage Tyson to join plays to hone his craft and to go out and experience new things. He has plans to continue doing commercials and pursuing a career.
At the end of 2021, Dylan Downer, 3rd grade, participated in a Wow, inflatable super slide commercial and is on the cover of the product. The product sells an inflatable slide with a sled the buyer is able to use to slide down. Dylan has been in many plays at the school and continues to improve his acting talents to entertain others.
“My mom encouraged me to do the commercial, and I had a lot of fun sliding on the inflatable sled.”
Dylan enjoyed being a part of the commercial and plans to do more commercials and gain more experience.
All three actors have spent time developing talents and committing themselves to their roles and any character they play. They have earned paychecks, experiences, and an understanding of how the business works in the real world. They have learned what it is like to work for money at an early age and also how they can have fun and be able to do what they love at the same time. They can use what they learned from these experiences and apply it to the next time they want a role or job, such as knowing what to expect and what people are looking for. Nate, Tyson, and Dylan plan to continue to use their time at One School to improve their acting skills and gain knowledge for their future.
In 2013, One School of the Arts and Sciences, then known as just One School of the Arts, was ready to put on their first production as a school, J.M. Barrie’s tale, “Peter Pan.” What set this production apart was the fact that the cast was mostly made up of teachers. Mr. Fry, the theater director, was the dastardly Captain Hook, while Mr. Marin, the Bible/History teacher, portrayed the bumbling but lovable Smee.
Now, a decade later, One School of the Arts and Sciences is once again ready to whisk audiences away to the magical world of Neverland. However, this time, the spotlight shines on a new generation of performers.
This year’s production of “Peter Pan” is bursting with fresh talent and familiar faces hailing from the elementary and middle school ranks. In the lead roles, Nate Huckabee, 8th grade, takes on the formidable Captain Hook. Meanwhile, Cadence Payne, eighth grade, soars through the Neverland skies as Peter Pan.
Rehearsals are in full swing, and the energy of the cast and crew seems contagious. The set design, costumes, and choreography aim to transport the audience to a world where dreams take flight. “The excitement feels palpable throughout the school. After the preview this morning, there are already a few characters who already stand out. Everybody is in for a treat,” said Juan Ruiz, one of the school’s photographers.
Reflecting on the journey from teachers taking on the roles of beloved characters to scholars stepping into the limelight, Mr. Marin, who played Smee, remarked, “It’s heartwarming to see the tradition continue and to witness these young talents carrying the torch forward. I couldn’t be prouder.”
With the show’s opening night just hours away, the anticipation is growing. It’s not just the performers who are eagerly awaiting the curtain to rise; the OS community is abuzz with excitement, ready to be swept away by the magic of “Peter Pan.”
One School of the Arts and Sciences has proven once again that the spirit of theater lives on, evolving and flourishing, much like the characters in Barrie’s beloved tale. As the school takes flight on this new adventure, they do so with the hope that their production will inspire the dreams and imaginations of all who attend the production.
If an outsider walked into One School for the first time, they would notice one thing above all else: Peter Pan. Posters have been plastered upon screens, songs have been belted in stairwells, and costumes have been strewn all across the school. A show in which scholars and staff have been working countless hours to put together a beautiful show for a full audience. The audience may see a stunning performance bedazzled with intricate costumes and sets, but this show is more than what is put on stage. Behind the scenes, there are scholars of varying grades working to put this show together, moving heavy sets, last minute makeup touches, and communicating through headsets.
One of the most important things in a show is the role of a stage manager. Stage managers communicate and manage directions to the cast and crew, and act as an extension of the director. Experienced performer Tori Yost took up a new role in Peter Pan. Instead of performing onstage in front of an audience, she took up an authority role behind the scenes. With little past experience in stage managing, this senior has gained extensive respect and admiration for what goes on backstage. “It’s definitely different from being an actual performer and performing in the actual shows. It’s just a new different level of performance that may not be seen, but it’s definitely really well needed just in general.” Yost expressed. Even though this is not what one would usually see Yost doing, she tackled this new role with the same dedication as she does all roles she commits to.
Director, set designer and costume designer are three of the major roles backstage. Ms. Gibson fills all of these roles with scholars and parent volunteers. “The kids really know their stuff, and we are getting through things really fast.” Miss Gibson has been through multiple tech weeks in her time here at OS, and has shown the kids what true hard work and dedication looks like. So much goes on behind the scenes, and without helping hands like Miss Gibson, a show like this would be impossible to put on. The intricate set for Peter Pan is heavy, complicated, and involved, so it requires much help. Shane Kitchen, set crew, has been doing backstage crew for over three years. “My favorite part about being on set crew is helping Ms. Gibson because she needs help.” Shane said. Everyone working backstage has to be aware of everything going on backstage, because if a cue is missed, everything would go awry. Stage manager, Yost, is able to communicate with the crew through a headset, giving them cues and helping them understand what is going on on the stage. Yost stays up in the booth with other members of tech, while the backstage set crew helps move pieces directly onto the stage.
A majority of these scholars have experience in theater, whether on the stage or not. A specific example of someone who does both is the lead of this show, Caydence Payne. She plays the role ‘Peter Pan,’ in the current production. Not only is she the main character, she also partakes in Miss Gibson’s set building class. “I think it’s pretty cool to be able to work on the set and actually act in the play,” Payne said. Having the stress of being a lead, as well as making the set she will be performing on is no small feat. However, together, as a team, is how the show goes on.
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