Central High School - Arrow Yearbook (Aberdeen, SD)

Page 27 text:

'Sand Box' flays society Central's one-act play The Sand Box , by Edward Albee travelled to Watertown to compete in the regional One-Act Play Festival. 'The Sand Box , a theater of the absurd comedy, deals with the generation gap between young adults and an aged grandmother. The strong-willed young matron (Cindy Midthun) is excessively concerned with doing the right thing , while at the same time callously leaving grandma to die. The henpecked husband (Dennis Vik) seems interested only in getting along with his wife and avoiding being flayed by her whiplash tongue. The five-member cast consisted of Daddy, Dennis Vik; Mommy, Cindy Midthun; Grandma, Sue Dummer; musician, Jan Sletten; and the young man, Phil Losacker. Mary Driscoll was the student director. Sue Dummer received the best supporting actress award for her performance. d a The musician (Jan Sletten) plays on while Daddy (Dennis Vik) and Mommy (Cindy Midthun) carry Grandma (Sue Dummer) in to meet her fate. b At the time crying seems to be the proper thing to do. so Mommy sheds her tears for Grandma. c Grandma is about to be thrown in the sandbox by her children, d The young man (Phil Losacker) shows off his physique. e Mommy converses brightly for anyone whc will listen, while Daddy smiles approvingly and the young man, who symbolizes the ange. of death, hovers near Grandma. 23

Page 26 text:

Goals of new director are expansion, involvement An Irish-ltalian whirlwind hit Central's drama department in September and things may never again be the same! Tom Kelly apparently inherited the traditional Irish gift of blarney--he has a way with words-and he admits to having definitely inherited his mother's love of cookina along with her Italian recipes. In fact, one might say that Mr. Kelly has two loves, food and the theater. The love of food contributes to his stocky build (he says he loses weight during productions), and his love of theater is the driving force behind the hopes he has for Central's drama department. I'd like to be able to do four productions a year, he said and qualified by add- ing not this year, or even next year, but build up to four so that lots of kids could have a chance to appear in a variety of plays. Mr. Kelly sees every student as an up-tapped oil well of theater energy, and he wants to see them producing! For this reason he bemoans the lack of a drama pro- gram at Simmons and hopes to see some introductory experiences offered there soon. Although his aspirations are high, the new director is also a realist. Inflation is hitting high school theater, too , he said and pointed out that the muslin used in set construction has gone from nine cents a yard to about a dollar a yard. A single set can cost $400 in materials alone! he exclaimed. Buying the right to present'Oliver', and to use the scripts cost $600, but it's a fabulous musical-one actors and audience can really enjoy ! Enjoyment seems to be a key word for Tom Kelly. He enjoys life and his en- thusiasm convinces an interviewer that drama at Central is going to have an exciting future, a future that promises enjoyment for both students and spectators. a a An important task for the director is helping students, such as Phil Losacker, to interpret scripts. b Director Tom Kelly helps students with blocking in the fall play, c Paul Premack and Mary Driscoll study the script for Oliver, the spring musical. 22

Page 28 text:

'Madwoman of ChaiHot' receives standing ovation The Madwoman of Chaillot by Jean Giraudoux. consisted of a 40-member cast. The fall play was presented by the Central High School Drama Department, November 21-22 at the Civic Theater. Involving various aspects of romance, comedy, and fantasy, the play centered around a madwoman, who with the help of friends, rid the world of all evildoers within one day. The Madwoman of Chaillot, Countess Aurleia, was played by Cindy Midthun. Other major female roles were The Madwoman of Passy, Mme. Constance, played by Rhonda White; The Madwoman of St. Sulprice, Mme. Gabrielle, Sue Dummer; The Madwoman of La Conde, Mme. Josephine, Suzi Smith; and Irma, Charlene DeVoss. Important male roles were the prospector played by Mike Kettering; The President, Paul Premack; the Baron, Dennis Vik; the Rag Picker, Paul Newcomb; and Pierre, Tom Schneider. Other cast members were the Waiter, Tim Schwab; the Little Man, Jon Pickus; | Therese, Barb Anderson; the Street Singer, Jim Schaefle; the Flower Girl, Peggy Howell; Paulette, Kathy Thurow; The Deaf Mute, Craig Blumer; the Shoelace Peddler, Debbie Twigg; the Broker, Greg Biehler; the Street Juggler, Phil Losacker; Dr. Jadin, Duane Bowen; the Doorman, Steve Heupel; the Policeman, Steve Bruns; the Sergeant, Rick Walters; the Sewer-man, Bruce Blumer; the Presidents, Paul Premack, Debbie Goebel, Dennis Vik; the Prospectors, Mike Kettering, Jolleen Walker, Jon Pickus; the Press Agents, Greg Biehler, Renee Reuer, Bruce Blumer; and the Ladies, Paula Lantsberger, Kathy Thurow, Barb Anderson. The Production crew heads included costumes, Renee Reuer; lights. Jay Kirschenmann; make-up, Dennis Vik; props, Mary Driscoll; publicity, Angie Ballard; scene painting, Debbie Twigg; sets, Mike Kettering; sound Steve Heida. Mr. Tom Kelly directed the production, and Mary Driscoll was the student director.