Halifax County High School - Haliscope Yearbook (South Boston, VA)

Page 28 text:

Rehearsing for “Bye Bye Birdie,” The Reverend Mr. Terry Schneider takes sad girl Janice Earp by the hand and tries hard to get her to “put on a happy face.” Mr. Schneider, one of the main characters chosen from the Little Theatre of Halifax County, sang, danced and acted as Conrad Birdie’s agent Albert. 24

Page 27 text:

Beating on the door of his secret house, Robert Wait as “Arnolphe” “Georgette.” They performed Moliere’s play “The School for Wives” for startles his servants, David O’Neill as “Alain” and Diana Gobble as the tenth, eleventh and twelfth grade classes December 6. ‘School for Wives brings interest in drama Talking to John Arnold as “Horace” are, clockwise from his left, Teresa DeBruhl, Mary Jane Roark, Judy Moore, Mrs. Dorothy Crews and Harvey Payne. Increased interest in dramatics came as a result of the Virginia Museum Theatre Arts System presentation of Moliere’s “School for Wives.” The highly stylized production centered around the attempts of a middle-aged bachelor to keep his ward in complete ignorance of the ways of the world. Provided by the newly-approved Performing Arts in Virginia Education program, the performance began a trend toward emphasizing tire humanities in the school program. Beforehand a representative of PAVE came to prepare English teachers to teach students about lighting, scenery, costumes and make-up. Knowing the fundamentals of the theatre and acting, sopho¬ mores, juniors and seniors saw the play at a December 6 matinee. A few lucky students, working side-by-side with the Richmond actors, learned to set up scenery for touring productions. After the play the actors answered questions from the audience about practices, costumes, scenery and the cast itself. Especially interested in acting, students wanted to know the personal feelings of the players toward the characters they portrayed. 23

Page 29 text:

Musical provides excitement for teens, adults Helping to prepare Rucker McCanless for her part in the production, drama student Teresa DeBruhl applies stage make-up with the greatest care. Following up the increased interest in dramatics, Halifax County’s first Broadway musical opened in the auditorium April 25. The combined efforts of HCHS and the Little Theatre of Halifax County made the three-night production possible. Almost 100 performers made up the musical, including teams of dancers, singers and musicians as well as individual actors. Other people worked on scenery, lighting, costumes and make-up. Still others helped with publicity and programs. The musical revolved around two stories, the romance of an agent with his secretary and the drafting into the army of their great rock-and-roll singer, Conrad Birdie. The action descended on a small town where Conrad was to bestow his farewell kiss on Kim, the president of the local Conrad Birdie fan club. For nearly three months, under the direction of Mrs. Dorothy Crews, the cast worked together to coordinate all parts of the show. Main teenage characters included Robyn Robbins as Conrad, Rucker McCanless as Kim, Gerry Lovelace as Kim’s boyfriend, Chris Jones as her brother and Em C. Mills as her best friend. Most of the performers were HCHS students. The ten long weeks of practicing every night and many afternoons paid off when more than 2000 viewers deemed the production a smashing success. The profit, split between the school and the Little Theatre, totaled over $1000. The school’s share will go for the improvement of stage facilities. 25