Sisters HS Show Must Go On — In Tribute

The saying “the show must go on” is an understatement at Sisters High School, as students prepare for this weekend’s production of “Peter Pan.”

Last October, the school’s drama teacher, Gary Bowne, was riding his bike along Highway 242 when he was struck by a car. Bowne was thrown to the ground and was flown by AirLink helicopter to St. Charles in Bend with serious injuries.

“Bad stuff doesn’t happen in Sisters,” said Corinn Ferwalt, a student at Sisters High. “But we heard the next day in choir class that it was Mr. Bowne, and complete silence came over a room of like 50 people. It was absolutely shocking to all of us.”

Without a drama teacher, the winter play was in jeopardy, and the students were given a choice.

“We offered the students, ‘Do you want to just drop the course and take another one?'” said Ben Young, another teacher at Sisters High, “It was unanimous that they wanted to go forward with the production of this play.”

The students mulled over what play to do, and finally decided on “Peter Pan.”

But without a director, it was up to one of them — and that’s when senior Katie Dumolt was selected to direct the play.

“It felt a little empty without him,” said student Felicia Zandonatti. “But I never felt like we didn’t have a director.”

Looking back over the last few months, Dumolt says she now has a new appreciation for every movement on stage.

“I understand when he gives a blocking movement that seems kind of weird — it makes sense now, from an audience perspective, because I could never see it,” said Dumolt,

And even before the first show, the pride is showing, just in getting to this point.

“This has been, easily, the greatest thing I have done in high school,” Dumolt said, smiling.

Watching lessons come to life outside the classroom is a teacher’s greatest dream, and shows the hours of hard work have paid off.

“It’s a total tribute to Gary’s skill as a teacher that, having worked with many of these students three and four years, that they can totally produce a play on their own,” Young said.

The students in the production have not only inspired themselves and their classmates, but other teachers as well.

“In my entire teaching career, I would have never expected this to happen,” said Young, “I’m a student here, and I’m still a learner, but that’s my pleasure as well.”

After several months of rehearsal, the drama program will get to show off what they have worked so hard to put together.

The man who touched their lives will be there to see their fruits of their labor.

Bowne as been making significant progress in his recovery. A few weeks ago, he was allowed to start driving again.

He is expected to attend this weekend’s performances.

Sisters High School will present Peter Pan this Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Thursday-Saturday, April 26th – 28th at 7:00PM

Saturday and Sunday, April 28th & 29th at 2:00PM

Tickets are $7 for Adults, $5 for students