Southwest Middle School students present the classic ‘Peter Pan’

Southwest Middle School students will present the traditional story of a magical young boy who never grows up and can fly on Friday in the school’s Little Theatre.

More than 30 students are involved in either the cast or crew of the production and began practicing and preparing sets for “Peter Pan” in late January, said director Laura Kuisle, a math teacher at the school.

The play tells the story of the adventures of Peter Pan in Neverland as the leader of the Lost Boys, interacting with fairies, pirates and others. Peter, played by student Cole Janssen, meets the Darling children and brings them to Neverland where they have more adventures.

Kuisle said the energy and story level will be positive for the audience in the performance. While the play follows the traditional story line, there are some modern flairs. There are also more detailed sets than in years past.

Art teacher Alyssa Sauer helped design all of the sets, and members of the play all helped paint, Kuisle said. Kuisle’s father, Dale Kuisle, helped build the beds in the play and the captain’s wheel, among other parts.

Several of the costumes were borrowed from Albert Lea Community Theatre or rented from Jan’s Costumes in Kasson. Kuisle’s mother, Karen Kuisle, made the Captain Hook costume and all of the Indian costumes.

This will be Kuisle’s third year directing the Southwest Middle School play. She said she has been involved in theater since she was in fifth grade. After graduating high school, she worked at Mantorville Theatre Co.’s historic opera house.

“Peter Pan,” which begins at 7 p.m., is expected to last about 1 hour and 20 minutes. 

Tickets are $5.

Tickets, please

What: “Peter Pan”

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Southwest Middle School’s Little Theatre

Cost: $5

‘Peter Pan’ cast and crew

Tinker Bell: Annabelle Lundell

Wendy Darling: Grace Dawson

Michael Darling: Michael Flaherty

John Darling: Timothy Chalmers

Mrs. Darling: Ava Corey-Gruenes

Nana: Mikayla Hannegrefs-Dahlen

Liza: Isabelle Wegner

Crocodile: Abigail Chalmers

Lost Boys:

Peter Pan: Cole Janssen

Tootles: Kendall Habana

Nibs: Victoria Wildeman

Pots: Brennan McCalla

Pans: Cannon Kermes

Slightly: Mason Drescner

Curley: Brian Solberg

Tootsie: Morgan Christian

Pirates:

Captain Hook: Riley Johnston

Smee: Colin Farr

Starkey: Samantha Brumbaugh

Cookie: Mia Kension

Skylight: Aaliyah VanDiver

Noodles: Adam Semple

Ramen: Ava Cunningham

Indians:

Great Big Little Panther: Murnico Gomez

Tiger Lily: Kathrynn Gallardo

Chattering Chipmunk: Michael Minear

Raging Waters: Joey Maiden

Director: Laura Kuisle

Set Designer: Alissa Sauer

Assistant Directors: Taylor Palmer, Kenzie Monson and Kylee Anderson

Lights: Max Hacker

Sound: Charley Breche

Backstage: Elise Anderson, Zoe Lawson, Lexi Elmer, Kaitlyn Hanna, Adriana Brumbaugh and Pacey Breche