Milligan College - Buffalo Yearbook (Elizabethton, TN)

Page 25 text:

Photo by James Rooks Melissa Nelson played the role of Queen Elizabeth. Mark Madden finds a Renaissance Christmas quite different from that in Virginia. Photo by James Rooks Photo by James Rooks The Court Jester, played by Jamie Smith, is a favor- ite character of many in the audience. The Chamber Singers created the atmosphere of a Christmas in Renaissance England. Photo by James Rooks Madrigal Dinners 21

Page 24 text:

Milligan Tradition 2 e Uvitie Photo by James Rooks As the Fall semester was com- ing to a close the McCormick Dining Hall was transformed | into a Renaissance castle where Milligan students and faculty would delight audiences with the annu- al Madrigal Dinners. Not only are the Chamber Singers involved in the fanfare but musicians, actors, wait- ers and waitresses all cooperated in each production. Although Madrigals has been a Milligan tradition for many years this year proved to be quite dif- ferent. The music and theatre depart- ments worked together with the Pio- By Beth Wolfe neer Food Service on all aspects of the production from lighting and the menu to music and acting. Authenticity was the most important consideration this December. New roles were created, such as Queen Elizabeth, to provide the audience with a realistic perfor- mance. All those who attended this Christmas season were delighted with the changes made in the production. As in the past Madrigal Dinners were a great success. Milligan College was very privileged to celebrate the Holi- day season with friends and family in the area. Beth Bivins sings ' like a bird ' . Photo by James Rooks Amy Sampson wants to make a toast. Teresa Henney, and Ellen Harris were musicians who played a very important part in the Madrigal Dinners. 20 Madrigal Dinners

Page 26 text:

Children of a Lesser God Q ie]i Stage. Milligan College ' s theatre department undertook a seemingly insurmountable task this fall as it chose to perform the Tony-award winning play Children of a Lesser God. Children of a Lesser God on the surface was a play about the relationship between a deaf student and her speech teacher who falls in love with her. But the play really emphasized the importance of communication and real love. The cast members not only had to deal with the usual challenges of creating a role, but many of them also had to learn sign language to portray their roles. The first run of the show in October was so successful that extra seating was added to the theater and an extra weekend of performances was also added. Children of a Lesser God was critiqued by the American College Theatre Festival and was one of only six plays chosen from a field of over seventy entries in the Southeast to perform at the Regional Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina in February. The festival was sponsored by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and by the National Broadcasting Corporation. Randy Landry, Karin Gurley and Jonathan Chambers were also nominated for the prestigious Irene Ryan Acting Award Scholarship. Julie Pierce, Melissa Nelson and Rick Hessler assisted them in this competition. Landry also competed in the Kennedy Center National Acting Award Audition. Hessler participated in the National Critics Institute. The Milligan Students accomplished a nearly miraculous feat with their production of Children of a Lesser God and achieved widespread recognition and honor for their hard work and dedication. By Karin Gurley Children of a Lesser God Directed by Richard Major Cast: James Leeds Randy Landry Sarah Norman Karin Gurley Orin Dennis Jonathan Chambers Lydia Kristine Duncan Mrs. Norman Julie Pierce Mr. Franklin R.W. Hessler Edna Klein Amy Snyder The cast not only performs but they help build the set. Just ask R.W. Hessler. Theresa Brown, a stage crew member, is supervising the tool box. Celeste Olmstead and Pam McConnell help break down the set so the group can travel to Greensboro. Photo by James Rooks 22 Theatre