Newtown High School sophomore Talia Hankin directed Head O' Meadow Elementary School's recent production of Peter Pan.

The play was performed for students at the school during the day on Thursday, May 26, and it was performed for family and school community members the evening of Friday, May 27.

Talia said on Tuesday, May 24, before she oversaw the second dress rehearsal for the production, that this was her first time directing a production at Head O' Meadow, but in her eighth grade year at Newtown Middle School she co-directed the musical production of 13.

"I decided to direct a musical at Head O' Meadow, because this is where my love for theater was fostered," Talia said.

Talia remembers playing "the lollypop girl" in an "ABC Show" in her kindergarten year.

"I just remember how much I loved being on stage, being part of a team," Talia said, adding that she learned how to express personality through the outlet of theater while learning.

Talia said she wanted to share that same learning experience with students at the elementary school now, so she asked the Head O' Meadow Principal Barbara Gasparine if she could direct a student play. With approval, Talia said she then approached the school's PTA, which funded the after school program.

Talia said the cast and crew have learned a lot since starting to prepare in March, like complicated blocking, songs with intricate rhythms and "they have become a team."

According to Talia, Peter Pan was played by Ava Baroody, Tinker Bell by Aubrey Hankin, Silvermist by Gabriella Hilario, Rosetta by Addy Plummer, Fawn by Jamie Rowan, Iridessa by Lillian Caico, Vidia by Abby Manka, Lyria by Maili Piergostini, Wendy by Lauren Deschenes, John by Dhilan Amin, Michael by Brody Goudy, Mr Darling by Carter Briggs, Mrs Darling by Margaret Anderson, Nana by Brooke Jackson, Captain Hook by Kenna Gioffre and Smee by Johnny Kwap.

Additionally, Jukes was played by Carter Briggs, Flint by Kylie Hazard, Noodler by Riley Alesevich, Skylights by Lucia St Lorenzo, Cookson by Sophia Wade, Murphy by Margaret Anderson, the Crocodile by Ben Almstead, Cubby by Ben Almstead, Skunk by Theo Anderson, Foxy by Arion Polozani, Hop by Morgan Neff, Raccoon Twins by Ryann Los and Lily Plummer and Chief Tiger Bamboo by Mackenzie Roszman.

Tiger Lily was portrayed by Alex DiLorenzo, Brave Pine by Brooke Jackson, Brave Oak by Riley Alesevich, Brave Shrub by Lucia St Lorenzo, Aquata by Sophia Wade, Andrina by Ryann Los, Arista by Lillian Caico, Atina by Kylie Hazard, Allana by Gabriella Hilario, Adella by Jamie Rowan, the Indians were played by Gavin Johnson and Logan Johnson, pirates by Gavin Johnson and Logan Johnson and Abby Manka was a mermaid.

Crew members were Sydney Bruno, Lauren Deschenes, Ella Christensen, Aubrey Hankin, Liam Conlin, Gavin Johnson, Alicia Ligouri, Logan Johnson, Noelle Marrazzo, Johnny Kwap, Gus Osier, Ryan Los, Elizabeth Stevenson, Abby Manka, Roman Verna and Mackenzie Roszman.

Newtown High School students assisting with the show were Caroline Daria-Backstage as coordinator, Barrett Deyoung, running crew, Hannah Fitzgerald as a lighting operator and running crew, Cristina Gomes, running crew, Sarah Grant as sound coordinator, Kayla Nowak as a lighting operator and running crew, and Melissa Nowak as a lighting operator and running crew.