Diamond Bar High School - Taurus Yearbook (Diamond Bar, CA)

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How do you keep a dead body se- cret? Are little old ladies as sweet and innocent as they seem? Is there sanity among the Brewster family? These and other questions were answered last December in the play Arsenic and Old Lace. ing with a different style and approach of directing, as they had become accustomed to Mr. Gilliland, Walnut ' s drama coach. It cost us money, a lot of time, and a lot of hard work, but it was worth it, said junior John Barnes, who played Teddy Brewster. Now I appreciate theater a lot J55 Of Eldcrbcrrj Wine...? The Diamond Bar High School Theater Arts class presented its first play in the Golden Horseshoe December 2-1 1. I felt privileged to be part of our first play, said Ajay Lalvani, who played tenant Mr. Gibbs. What we do now will set the standards for years to come. Casting for the play took place in late September, and rehearsals began the next week. Mr. Bruce Dunbridge, director, com- mented, We had an eight week rehearsal schedule, which is pretty long for a rehears- al schedule. Cast and crew worked every day after school, with set construction tak- ing place on Saturdays. Since the play was set in Brooklyn in 1941, props and costumes were hard to find. Most of the furniture was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Duffour, parents of one of the cast members. Junior Sandie Dickenson collected costumes. Mr. Dunbridge noted that a few actors had some problem deal- more. I now know what goes into putting it on. When I go to the theater, I can look up and say ' Hey, I know what they had to do. ' A MAKING SURE everyone knows their lines, directors Diana Marsh and Chris Ramirez watch from the sidelines. Hours of practice helped the actors reach the point of perfection that drew in the large crowds. GETTING INTO CHARACTER, junior Tony Merton and freshman Mark Gagnon go over their lines. Tryouts were held for boys only, as all the girls were chosen from Drama Class. WITH A THICK German accent, Dr. Helga Einstein (Nancy Brooks) calms down her accomplice Johnny (Eric Ethier). Nancy played a plastic surgeion and Eric her pa- tient. Arsenic and Old Lace Gala Events 25

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► DURING A BREAK in rehearsals, junior Sandy Dicken- son discusses the play with sophomore Jill Scherrer, Sandy was in charge of finding and buying costumes. ▼ TRYING ONCE MORE to get it just right, juniors Eric Ethier and Mykel Allen, and sophomore Michelle Brown practice their lines. Hours of practice after school ' was required of the actors. A ESCAPE PLANS running through her mind. Dr. Ein- stein goes over every option. Although origionally a male part, sophomore Nancy Brooks was chosen to play Ein- stein. ► TAKING ON the characteristics of elderly ladies, junior Mykel Allen and sophomore Michelle Brown concentrate on the happenings. I made a lot of friends doing this play, said Mykel. 24 Gala Events Arsenic and Old Lace

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▼ AS THEY JOIN IN with Santa (sophomore Mike Grissm), Choir members gather for a Christmas Medley . The medley consisted of two Christmas songs, one being Merry Christmas To You All. ► SERENADING J.R. Chamberlain, E.T. (sophomore Elva Padilla) sings Turn On Your Heart Light. The cos- tume was hand-made at a cost of $60. - MAKING SURE each note is clear, sophomore Allison Duran solos with Merry Christmas Darling. The pro- gram was scattered with solos as well as group songs. A AS THEY TRY to keep together while still hitting the notes, junior Jane Rhee, sophomore Elva Padilla, and sophomore Michelle Brown sing Mr. Santa to the tune of Mr. Sandman. The girls were part of a female octet. 26 Gala Events Christmas Concert