Behind every joke, wild chase, and magical moment in the Upper School Belfry production of “Peter and the Starcatcher” was a student crew who created an imaginative place. From sets, lighting, sound, and stage management, this production wasn’t just performed by students; it was designed, built, and run by them. Their creativity, technical skill, and problem-solving shaped every detail the audience saw (and heard), and made the cast feel transported.

“Kevin Knebel (’26) and the rest of the tech crew worked wonders backstage to make the show look and sound incredible,” said Kyle Guess ’26, who played Peter. “The set was introduced as a ‘playground’ you could play around in. There were ropes you could climb on and even a real slide, which made me feel like a little kid again.”

Set designer Anastasia Miller ’26 helped shape that playground from the ground up. “I completed my first color model by painting and constructing the set on a 1' to 1/4" scale,” she said. “The show taught me a lot about the design process with Paul Moffitt (All-School Technical Theatre Director) mentoring and teaching me, but it also taught me about leadership. As I turned around and mentored younger students, I tried to give them opportunities to make their own decisions and implement them.”

The whimsy of the show was a highlight for Miller. “Working on ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ was so much fun. The child-like wonder really stood out to me. This is my first time working on a play with two acts and one clear storyline, which inspired me in new ways.” Her love for set design runs deep and plans to pursue a BFA in college with a concentration in design.

Younger crew members also found their place in the Belfry community. “The cast and crew are all so talented and funny,” Anushka Sen ’28, who helped build the set, mic actors, and spent time learning carpentry skills and working with lights in the catwalks, said. “Being with them is always entertaining, whether they’re randomly breaking into song or just hanging out. It was an amazing opportunity to make new friends and be part of a community.”

Moffitt summed up the pride behind this student-driven production. “Setting students up for success and giving them the skills and mentorship necessary so they can have full ownership of the show is always my goal. This senior class is exceptional. Every aspect of the show was designed, managed, and implemented by students. The seniors worked three years to get to this point, and the product speaks for itself. Miller’s set design was creative and daring. Senior Thomas Bialas’s lighting was sublime. Knebel’s stage management and calling of the show were precise and expert. Ben Moyer ’26 headed up construction and welding as Technical Director, and Jayden (JJ) Johnson ’26 did an amazing job steering the ship as Production Manager. Their mentorship of younger technicians should be noted as well. I cannot wait to see what they do next with this year’s musicals.