Manchester College - Aurora Yearbook (North Manchester, IN)

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stage Mother Karen Shively tries to keep Dave Craun in line as their typically dis- dainful producer, Ron VanSessen, looks on. The final scene of Buddy ' s death depicts each character in their separate mourning. PuMug AuJcuf The Preacher Curt Webb points out a fish to Buddy ' s sister Kim Parker, in a quiet moment in The Diviners. Melvin (Brett Vannatta) watches Darlene (Karen Shively) flirt with Dewey (Gary Saunders) in The Diviners. 27 Theater Productions

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Theater Productions homecoming may day plays Quality Productions Attain Success 1986-87 Homecoming and May Day productions received rave re- views thanks to quality produc- tion and performances. The Di- viners, written by James Leonard, was the Homecoming drama of a disturbed young man (Shawn Yeable) and a disillu- sioned preacher (Curt Webb). Set in a small Indiana town, the preacher helps the young man overcome a fear of water devel- oped when he was a small boy. The North Manchester commu- nity was involved with this pro- duction as Yeakle, the lead role, was a junior at Manchester High School. A hit Rodgers and Hart musical production, Babes in Arms, was staged for May Day. Set in the present day, Babes in Arms is the tale of a resolute, talented group of summer stock appren- tices (Jodi Heeter, Cindy Leard and Eric Snyder) attempting to stage an original revue for a bud- ding composer-playwright (Jeff West) much against the will of their villainous producer (Ron Van Sessen). Rodgers and Hart tunes, My Funny Valentine, The Lady is a Tramp, and I Wish I were in Love Again, were among those weaved throughout the storyline. Falling down on the job. Southern Play- wright Eric Lee is supported by the cast of Babes apprentices. Cindy Leard and Eric Snyder portray the flirting romantic couple Terry Thompson and Gus Field in Babes in Arms. 26 Theater Production

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Theater behind the scenes Talent Isn ' t Just On Stage It takes more people than those seen by the audience to make a good production. Costumes, lighting, sound, and prop creation all have a hand in creating the right mood for the play, one-act, and musical. During the January Production of Rumplestiltskin, the five stu- dents who participated doubled as the backstage crew. In their two and one half weeks of perfor- mances at 25 area schools they did not have to contend with sound or lighting. Simple wood boxes were the stage set used to stir the imagination of the chil- dren around them. For the three productions of the Freshman One Acts, back- stage hands involved student di- rectors who chose the acts from those submitted by Midwest play- wrights. The prop ' s, costumes. and scenery used in these pro- ductions were often any handy object around. Yet, for the two larger produc- tions, many more hands were needed to cover all the aspects of backstage work. Your talent isn ' t seen com- mented Noelle Dulabaum, stage manager and assistant director of the May Day musical, Babes in Arms. Instead of the audience making you feel good with their laughter and response, the back- stage crew has to make itself feel important by the job they do, and know how important a job it is. Eric Snyder, Rae Saunders, and Lisa Rommelman greet the children after the performance of Rumplestiltskin. Scott Strode patiently waits for the scene change before he can give his next directions. 28 Behind The Scenes