Fall Play Is Ready to Reach for the Stars

10/22/2025

Set sail on the high seas with this season’s Mainstage production of “Peter and the Starcatcher,” the Tony Award-winning play that imagines how Peter Pan came to be.

The talented upper school students in the cast and crew are excited to bring to life the backstory of the boy who didn’t want to grow up. During a recent rehearsal, Beth Manspeizer, director and upper school theater teacher, said, “The production is going beautifully, and this cast is amazing. The piece is magical and whimsical and provides an opportunity for us all to recall the joy of childhood and the ability to play.”

Junior Raven Jarvis stars as 13-year-old Molly Aster. According to Jarvis, Molly describes herself in the play as "insatiably curious, insufferably bright and pretty much friendless at school."

“She's an apprentice to her father, Lord Aster, who is a starcatcher working for the Queen,” Jarvis explained. “Molly acts very maturely, but there are definitely some more tender moments throughout the play that show her more sensitive, childlike side.”

Castmate Gemma Gilmartin, also a junior, steps into the role of a sailor named Alf. “He's loud, mean, and he's on the market for something long-term. You'll get that reference if you come to the show,” she added with a wink.

Both actors agreed that mastering their characters’ dialects has been one of the biggest challenges.

“We will all be using different variations of British accents,” Jarvis explained. “It definitely won't be perfect, but it makes the show so much more fun.”

Off stage, the camaraderie among the Mainstage cast has made the experience even more meaningful. “I have always loved the theater program at Masters. It's such a kind and open community, and everyone is so accepting,” Gilmartin said. “I get to share the stage with Ayalah Spratt, a senior who is playing Mrs. Bumbrake (Molly's nanny). She's absolutely hilarious, and I love that almost all of my scenes are with her.”

Jarvis shared, “The play has lots of deeper meaning, but I'd really like people to laugh. It's such a funny show and our whole cast has put so much love into delivering the comedy, so I'm really hoping that the humor is properly appreciated!”

“Peter and the Starcatcher” has an invited dress rehearsal tomorrow, Thursday, October 23, at 4:00 p.m. Opening night is Friday, October 24, at 7:00 p.m., with a second show on Saturday, October 25, also at 7:00 p.m. All performances will be held in Strayer Theater.