The Upper School Belfry Club’s production of Peter and the Starcatcher brought big laughs, fast pacing, and creativity to the stage. The cast delivered a performance that was fun, clever, and uniquely their own, keeping the audience smiling from start to finish. Before hearing from cast members who loved being part of the show, we asked the new Belfry Theatre Director and US Theatre Arts Teacher, Jared Eberlein, to share what made this production so special.

“I couldn't be more thrilled with the creative journey we all went on this fall. The support and energy the GA community showed by turning out in such numbers made the performances truly special. To think that just ten weeks ago these students and I didn’t know each other, and yet we came together to bring a complex and magical play to life, is incredible,” said Eberlein. “It speaks to the power of theater, which builds relationships, fosters empathy, and creates space for communities to gather, question, and dream. For this to be my first experience as Director of Belfry at GA is an amazing gift, and one for which I am incredibly grateful.”

The cast included both seasoned performers and students trying theater for the first time. Kyle Guess '26 (Peter), Gavin Sposato ’28 (Smee), and Paige Sipler ’27 (Black Stache) shared their perspectives on the experience.

Guess said:
"Since joining the Upper School Belfry in 10th Grade, this has been the most play-like show I’ve ever done with the other two being a template ('Brainstorm') and a vignette show ('Almost, Maine'). It was amazing getting to really flex my acting muscles in this performance. The process of bringing the show together, while at times challenging, was so creative and fun to be a part of. 

"Peter Pan had actually been a childhood favorite from shows like 'Jake and the Neverland Pirates,' to the original books to the movies like 'Peter Pan' (2003). The idea of never growing up and having fun being a boy really resonated with me. Working with and connecting to younger kids, and even connecting with my own inner child (which was way more present than I expected), gave me a template to embrace and become Peter."

Sposato said:
“I haven't acted since elementary school, and this play reminded me how much I love it. The whole cast was amazing, and I really enjoyed playing Smee. This show even convinced me to do the spring musical! Everyone who helped produce the show was incredibly supportive. Mr. Eberlein helped us understand the meaning behind our lines, which made a big difference, and Mrs. (Annie) Esposito’s (MS/US Performing Arts Associate Teacher) choreography, especially for complicated scenes like the wall sequence, brought everything together.”

Sipler said:
“I've never done a play before, so I wasn’t used to not breaking into song and dance, but I loved getting to interpret a character in my own way and share that with others. This Peter Pan prequel was so much fun, and I learned a lot about the original story, like where Peter Pan’s crowing came from. Having access to the script helped me catch things the audience might have missed.

“The production team was amazing. I loved everyone’s costumes, and Mr. Eberlein, Mr. (Paul) Moffitt (All-School Technical Theatre Director and Production Manager), and the tech crew were so helpful and understanding. The set felt like a playground, perfect for a show all about imagination and the realities of growing up. Being able to play on a set that became a ship, a jungle, and a beach made the themes come alive.”

Stay tuned for part two from the crew of Peter and the Starcatcher.