Elon seniors Brynn Lackey and Janie Chamberlin met for the first time six weeks ago; now, the two are co-directing Renegade Productions’ fall play “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
The play will have three runs in the Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre: 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 5 p.m. Nov. 11 and 10 p.m. Nov. 11. Tickets are free for all attendees and can be reserved online through Renegade’s Eventbrite page.
Renegade is a student theater organization at Elon that is open to all students, regardless of major or theater background.
“It's really cool to work with people from all different parts of campus and all different majors because everyone brings something so unique to the process,” Lackey said. “It's been so cool, because we have never met most of the cast before we started this process.”
Chamberlin described Renegade as a “low-stakes” and accessible theater group.
“People come to find community, not just a space to perform,” Chamberlin said.
Brynn said she had previously directed a few small scenes in her classes, but “Peter and the Starcatcher” is her first time — as well as Chamberlin’s — directing a full production.
“We are shaking in our boots, but we're having a lot of fun,” Lackey said.
Lackey said she hopes the show is “a breath of fresh air” for the audience. “Peter and the Starcatcher” is a comedy and prequel to the story of Peter Pan. The play includes backstories to many of J.M. Berrie’s well-known characters, including Peter Pan, Hook, Tinker Bell and Mrs. Darling.
Chamberlin said she hopes the audience is able to find comfort in the story and its characters, who are creating their own community and found-family. She said attendees should be prepared to open their imaginations and leave all seriousness behind as they step into the storybook.
Lackey also said she hopes the show brings the audience back to their childhood.
“It's so unserious, and every time we watch the run when we're in rehearsal, it kind of takes you back to that whimsical, childlike wonder place that we all kind of lived in for a long time,” Lackey said. “That's really refreshing, to not have to be an adult for an hour and a half that you're watching the show and just see the world through the eyes of a child again.”