Parkland High School - Par Key Yearbook (Orefield, PA)

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On cue Thespians set stage While we spent October just getting settled in and looking forward to a long school year, the Drama Club and stage crew were already working on their November presentation, The Bad Seed, sponsored by the Senior Class. Auditions for The Bad Seed” were quite interesting. One of the major characters had to be portrayed by a child. Those at the auditions thought it very comical to see six little girls imitate Patty McCormack, who played in the movie. It was so funny to see all the girls in blonde braids. They looked like a little cheerleading squad!' said Junior Michele DelBorrello. To prepare for the senior play, Mrs. Nancy Carthew had the cast read the play and view the television version. She had hoped that it would help them develop their characters better. Many of the cast admitted that they took staging tips from the movie characters. The hardest part in preparing for any performance is learning the lines. Sometimes kids will get together in a study hall and go over them, explained Sue Dunbar, junior. The final effect depends largely on the make-up and costumes. These help to develop a character's personality and give him definition. Even though many people did their own make-up, Chris O'Brien, one of the make-up artists, helped out— especially when someone needed to look older. It's really just age lines, but you have to consider the person's personality. The set was more elaborate than usual, but one of the reasons may be because the flats were already made, so the painting could be started and concentrated on right away. I think that they’re the nicest we've had, added Sue. Everyone really put a lot of work into them. Actor .mi .1 ctrestre ore given lo t minute in lraction- bv Mi-. Cartheiv Drama Club and theater oil- -upervi-or Mr-. Caithew ,.„J she iv.i- plea-ed ivilh the outcome of the ploy Play preparation - 17

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Michele DelBorrello, who was one of the main characters in The Bad Seed, applies makeup before her appearance on stage. Makeup is also retouched during the play. The Bad Seed involved many hours of preparation. Here Michele DelBorrello and Sandy Winner, who portrayed major characters in the play, rehearse their lines. 16 - Student life

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On cue No sweetness in this girl Is there an inherited tendency toward evil? All the facts pointed to yes as cast members presented the senior class play, The Bad Seed' by Maxwell Anderson, on November 20 and 21. Rhoda Penmark, portrayed by fourth grader Sandy Winner, was a little girl who had a compulsive evilness within her. This terrifying trait that she had inherited from her grandmother caused the sweet little girl with blonde.pigtails to get revenge on those who displeased her. Her first victim was a boy who won a medal that she wanted to win. Rhoda drowned him after beating him over the head with her tap shoes. Slowly, people became suspicious of Rhoda. Leroy (David Heintzelman) was the first to catch on Unfortunately, Leroy didn't keep his knowledge of Rhoda's behavior to himself. She soon quieted Leroy by igniting the excelsior paper he slept upon. Catherine's husband. Col. Kenneth Penmark, (Dave Kutos) was in Washington on an assignment; Mrs Penmark had no one to confide in In desperation she turned to her father. In what began as a touching scene, he told Catherine that her daughter had somehow inherited the same evil force that compelled his deceased wife throughout her life. Catherine Penmark was left with no alternative. Knowing that Rhoda must be stopped, she secretly gave her an overdose of sleeping pills and then killed herself. Her attempt to destory her daughter tailed, as the police saved her in time. So Rhoda Penmark was left to greet her father. Senior Dave Heintzelman, who portrayed Leroy, informs Rhoda (fourth grader Sandy Winner) that she is going to get caught for the murder of the hoy she pushed into the water at the park. Monica Breedlove discusses her knowledge of psychological tendencies with her best friend Christine Penmark. mystery writer Reginald Tasker and her brother Lmory Wages 18 - Student life