PETER PAN & THE SEA MONSTRESS
A creative workshop exploring Asara and the Sea Monstress by Mojisola Adebayo with an interpretation of Peter Pan by Fiona Sauder and Reanne Spitzer
co-created with the ensemble and directed by Birgit Schreyer Duarte
York University Studio, 3rd Year Acting Class
Dec 5, 2021
CAST + CREATIVE TEAM
Ensemble Alex Boese, Cassidy Marat, Dana McCarty, Farisya Khairul, Hope van der Merwe, Liam Ryan, Lisha Gicana, Mercedes Clunie, Rachel Cucheron, Raquel Quintanilla, Robert Leitner, Shelby Mwambu, Stephane Arcand, Tristan Moore, Zoe Cason Assistant Directors Eric Amara, Shaughn Clutchey, Sarah Miller, Connor Williamson
Before I learned I could fall, I learned I could fly.
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
It’s Prom Night 2021, and the graduating class spend their final moments before they start into adulthood by gathering on the rooftop of their school. Here, they can enjoy the magic of the star-lit night sky, revisit their childhood memories once more, and be silly. The time around high school graduation represents for many young adults a strangely liminal space, a tumultuous stage in their lives when they’re no longer teenagers but not quite adults yet. This leap into an unfamiliar next phase can be scary and disorienting. For some, the anticipation of a new world full of opportunities exists alongside the mourning of their younger, familiar selves. Many of us may therefore relate, if not to the character of Peter Pan, at least to the allure Peter Pan’s pledge to “never grow up” promises: to fully live in the moment without considering the consequences of our actions, to be above the burden of adult responsibilities, and to take off into the air whenever our hearts desire. In the modern myth of Asara & the Sea Monstress, we found two fascinating characters whom we wanted our Peter Pan to share the space with during his childish escapades. The precocious girl Asara and her mythical counterpart Toshun act child-like too: all three of them believe in magic and navigate the grown-ups’ world from their unapologetic, deeply authentic perspectives. But unlike Peter, Toshun and Asara suffer the consequences of their decisions, learn, and become keenly aware of how their actions impact others. Growing up is no walk in the park. But we invite you to join us for part of this walk and imagine with us what might have happened had Peter encountered the headstrong Asara somewhere between Neverland and Prom Night 2021. I am deeply grateful for having been invited to the 3rd Year Class’ playground.
