Newton High School - Newtonian Yearbook (Newton, MA)

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i' dl-TON, :L E' I ll lycpi V' v---s, -- if 'Y' SENIOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Senior I'listory 'I934 Act IV of The Follies ol 1934 CWith a review ol Acts I, ll, and IIID I-IE First time that we of the class ol 'I934 looked across the footlights on the Newton stage, four years ago, we were both dazzled by the glare, and bewildered at not being able to penetrate the darkness of the auditorium. But we banded together under Joseph Clement as stage director, with James I-lunter, Theodore Cobb, and George Stone assisting and on the whole, worked out very successfully the scenes in Act I ol the Follies ol 'I934, The second act ol the Follies, presented the following year, was, as we had hoped, quite an improvement over the First because ol the enlarging of our cast by Junior I-Iigh graduates and because of the advantageous application of our former experiences. Our position as Sophomores compelled us to inspire the incoming Fresh- men. This year Jean Harvey directed our productions, assisted by Paul Felt, James I-Iunter, and Mariorie Tylee. One ol the First scenes in Act II was the Freshman-Sophomore Prize-Speaking Contest whose honors fell to Louise Kerr and Paul Felt, Other scenes were based on participation in athletics and clubs where our ability was duly recognized. Act III ol any drama is so likely to conceal the climax in its midst, to excite us all with its sudden appear- ance, that we Juniors had to be alert to our actions lest we should interrupt our drama inopportunely, turning ' fifteen

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x'l-l-TON! 111 X Iblff- pb E ! E E the forthcoming progress into falling action. Being upperclassmen, too, held much responsibility. Now our acting was expected to be natural, almost professional, and our ability increased to outstanding, a state of affairs much more difficult to attain than when we were not expected to bring the house down. But Charles Flagg with his staff made up of Mary Jane l-lunter, James Naylor, and Margery Tylee proved truly capable directors. What more could one wish? ln fact, with Alice Mansfield starring in the Drama Club production, The Royal Family of Broadway, and four other juniors in the cast we felt justifiably proud of our ability. When, just before the third curtain fell, our girls carried off the cup at the Gym Meet we knew our attempts had been successful. It is truly in the fourth act that the dramatic skill of our company of '34 has been revealed. The climax to the life of the Follies is yet to be discovered, but the higher peaks are already becoming noticeable. As ex- perienced actors we have learned to feel our audiences at Newton even though we still may not see them clearly. Their appreciation has seen its rewards. To direct our class through one of the greatest years of our life we chose Theodore Johnson, president, Claude Frazier, boys' vice-president, Dorothy Jones, girls' vice-president, Frank McCarthy, treasurer, Mary Jane l-lunter, secretary, and to lead the Associates, Alice Mansfield. From members of our company we chose the cast for the Senior Play, Merely Mary Ann, in which Ann Newdick and John Wheldon took the leads. Later on other members were in demand for the Drama Club Play, Three Faces East, in which Alice Mans- field again starred, A third scene from this great act was the Junior Senior Prize-Speaking Contest, from which Roland Jones carried off the boy's first prize. ln this same scene, the winner of the Essay and Verse contests were announced. Vincent Maloney won the essay cup, with Neal Railsback second, while Joan Drew re- ceived the poetry cup, with Charlotte Paul taking the second award. The Senior Talent Assembly, portraying try-outs for a musical comedy, and the induction of many from our class into the National l-lonor Society under the presidency of Janet Brown added inspiring scenes to the act, while the vigorous pursuance of girls' and boys' athletics furnished lighter touches. All through the year we have sought certain publicity from Fabian Bachrach, editor-in-chief of the Newtonite, and soon our memories will be filled with the thoughts of Charlotte Paul, who has been the leader of the 'iSilver Newtonian. The act is drawing near the close. Soon in the last scene of all, we of 1934 shall be standing on the top- most of the marble steps - great stepping stones that we have built back-stage at Newton - waiting for the marble doors before us to open to the world. When the iron bolts slide back we shall turn again to survey our handiwork, we shall gaze beyond the footlights, penetrating the darkness with thoughts of gratitude and exulta- tion. Then we shall pass through the doorway, the doors will swing together behind us, the curtain will drop before the stage. Book l will be finished, Book ll still lies ahead. Still always shall we remember the stage door back to Newton. Sixteen