On March 27 children a part of the Sparkle on Stage Cultural Arts Center acting troupe performed “Peter Pan Jr.” in the organization’s auditorium at 7 p.m.
An ensemble of 15 students signed up to be a part of the cast through the Broadway and You class ran at the Freeport Recreation Center by Sparkle on Stage. The class has been held by Sparkle on Stage and its president, Robyn Workman, for about 20 years.
Workman stated that the students have been practicing and going through the production of the play since October 2025 with rehearsals once a week from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Workman said that the production process was a joy to go through with the level of enthusiasm students had for the Peter Pan story and music.
“The kids love the songs, and it just seemed like something fun to do,” Workman said. “What could be bad about fairies?”
Some of the special moments of the play were several of the songs that the children performed. Workman named renditions of “I Won’t Grow Up,” “I’m Flying” and “I’m Going to Crow” as favorites of hers and the child participants.
“Aside from the fact that when you participate in the arts it helps with your STEM classes, it also creates teamwork, which a lot of kids who don’t participate in sport activities don’t get,” Workman explained. “They work to respect each other, respect their teachers and directors.”
Workman also added that since the students come from the four different Freeport elementary schools and outside of Freeport, participating in this play was a great opportunity for the children to make more friends as well.
The next two Sparkle on Stage plays will be a part of Freeport’s celebration of the U.S. Semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary. One will be an original production of “Almost Hamilton,” which will be a staged children’s production. The other performance is an adult production that will be done with the Freeport Historical Society, called “Crown Versus Colonies.”
For more information on upcoming Sparkle on Stage Cultural Arts Center productions and events, please visit their website, sparkleonstage.org.
