Joshua Diaz - Peter Pan
Joshua, a year 11 student at ̨UUApp, is taking on the lead role of Peter Pan in the upcoming school production. His impressive acting history includes lead roles in Grease as T-Bird Roger and the College production of Monkey where he played the lead character of Buddha.
As Peter Pan, Joshua embodies a free-spirited and mischievous young boy who never grows up, and can fly, spending his endless childhood having adventures on the mythical island of Neverland.
Joshua describes the production as a magical journey that injected joy and liveliness into every aspect of the show, particularly with the integration of junior students. “Serious lines were turned into funny lines which makes everyone laugh, not to mention Captain Hook using his index finger as his hook”! He is excited about the lead up to production week, with all the advertising and promotions, because at that time, a special feeling spreads throughout the air. It becomes real; all aspects such as rehearsals and memorizing lines culminate in the performances with a real audience.
Being a part of the school production, regardless of the role one plays, is an experience that Joshua values deeply. He believes it’s an experience that one will remember for the rest of their life, compared to a regular day at school. Joshua’s passion for acting and creative expression shines through his involvement in the arts and his dedication to his craft. He is a role model for other students who aspire to showcase their talents and take part in school productions.
Nicole Wharton-Street - Tinker Bell
Nicole Wharton-Street, a Year 8 student at ̨UUApp, is excited about her first debut on the stage. Playing the role of Tinker Bell, Nicole feels a connection to the character’s cheekiness and mischievous nature. Tinker Bell is known for being ill-tempered, jealous, and vindictive at times, but also helpful and kind to Peter. This duality in her personality is explained by the fact that a fairy’s size prevents her from holding more than one feeling at a time. Nicole seems to understand this complexity of the character and is eager to bring it to life on stage.
Nicole is also gaining a newfound appreciation for all the work that goes into a production. She acknowledges that there are many little things happening behind the scenes, from rehearsals to costumes to technical aspects like lighting and movement. This realization shows her growing understanding of the hard work and dedication required to put on a successful show.
Despite the nerves that come with opening night, Nicole is excited about the experience and the opportunity to spend more time with her fellow cast members. She believes that their hard work and talent will result in a great performance, complete with cool features like lights and movement.
It’s inspiring to see young people like Nicole taking on new challenges and pushing themselves out of their comfort zones. Acting can be a powerful way to develop skills like confidence, creativity, and teamwork. With her passion and dedication, there’s no doubt that Nicole will bring a lot of energy and excitement to the stage in her debut performance as Tinker Bell.