Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies - Excalibur Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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An advanced drama student — is able to perform on stage when he enrolls in play production. After numerous rehearsals he is able to concentrate on playing the lead character instead of worrying about blocking which has now become instinc- tive. Mr. Morris ' s students — not only learn the fundamentals of being a musi- cian, like learning to read music, but also learn discipline. They disciplin e themselves at home by designating time to practice their chosen instrument. Those practice sessions pay off in the end. for students are then able to perform for the school. To be or not to be. ..a drama student? — Ms. Hitlers ' drama students have no doubt in their minds that the play ' s the thing Acting is an art form which, like most everything, improves with lots of practice. These students wish to be promoted to play production, the next rung on the ladder. Play Producliaa —from row Heft to righll. Suzanm Corilon. Jasmine Davis. ElUabelh Gordon. Nouh Klanman. Sfiond row: .-ibraham Nobel. Hyon-Chu Chon. Third row: Julie Beam. Knieba Janes. Norma Jean Thnrne. Back row: Amy Jenkins, Frances . iine:, Jose Sanchez, Jennifer Levy, Farah .4ivin. C.Z Hilier. Amy Gauld. iMrry Regan. 78 Drama and Orchestra Organization

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N I Z A T Choir and stagecrew are organizations that deal with the performing arts. Each organization contributes individually and colaboratively. Choir performs on stage and stagecrew takes care of what goes on backstage. The Chorus Line The 89-90 elementary, junior high and senior high school choirs have experienced a ren- ovation in their members and their activities. Under the direction of Diane Honda the senior choir has par- ticipated in such events as a high school choir festival and choreography workshop direct- ed by the renowned choreo- grapher and composer John Ja- cobson, at El Camino Real High School, and performed for service organizations under the sponsorship of the Rotary Club, and Hawthorne Bank. The workshop was inspira- tional, it gave the choir mem- bers a sense of purpose and uni- ty. John Jacobson was an exam- ple of how people should try their best in whatever they do. It might seem a cliche, but this workshop and festival and the performances at the Reseda nursing home and the St. James Presbyterian Church gave us a means of communication with people, more than words could express Sandra Nova, senior, said. The Junior and Elementary choirs also participated in festi- vals and visited along with the Senior Choir the Hollywood Bowl museum. Elected officers were Simone Myara, president, David Lin; Vice President, Sandra Nova; Secretary, and Bell Liwanag; Treasurer. Choir is a means by which everyone can appreciate and re- spect music. It offers the kids an opportunity to experience and explore music that they would not normally not be exposed to, or come in contact with, Si- mone Myara, senior, said. While the stage is busy with the actor ' s lines and the singer ' s tunes the stage crew works be- hind the scenes to keep the sound system, light cues, props, and stage backgrounds in place to enhance and support the per- formances. We make sure the sets are painted and sturdy, that the mi- crophones are set up correctly, that the light cues are also set, and that the actors are out on stage on time. Aaron Freed- kin, stage manager, said. bv Sandra Nova and Lea Javas Stagecrew —front row flefl to right} Joseph Brooks. Juan Paves. Karwon Villery. Leah Ellsworth. Carlo Ell.m ' orth. Wendy Hernandez. Caroline .Alexander. .4ida Nova. Michelle Rhoden. back row — Mr Schaeffer. Chad Johnson. Lynette Griffin. Kevin Bailey. Brian Quon. Sieve Olson. James Branom, Scot Nelson. Da ' von Robinson. Richard Cunningham. Tyrone Cooley Zappety. zap, zap . . . Brian, are you okay, Brian? — Working with high voltage equipment, stagecrew members must approach their work with much tenacity. But there ' s no need to worry with Brian Quon and Logan Ray working the lights. Choir and Stagecrew Organizations

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ORGANIZATIONS UP CLOSE P The drama and music departments are organizations which teach students discipline and self esteem. Each organization is unique but both work towards a common goal of performing live on stage. Performers I Ms. Hiller is new to the dra- ma department but not to teaching. She directs the stu- dents in her fifth period play production class. Play produc- tion students are serious about their art and for the most part, keep their grades up. thus al- lowing them to perform in Bauer auditorium. Part of what the students learn is staying academically on top, said Ms. Hiller. One may not realize the ef- fort these students make. Be- sides worrying about being eli- gible to perform, drama stu- dents are concerned about memorizing pages of dialogue at a time, making their cues on time, blocking, projection of their voice, and staying in char- acter, are also essentials to these actors and actresses. However the most important lesson they learn is to be confi- dent of their personalities and to stimulate their growth. To learn about themselves, to grow; personal growth and tuning of their skills as actors and actresses, said Ms. Hiller. Ms. Hiller ' s directions at re- hearsal enable the performers to present a show without a hitch. Like play production, prac- tice makes perfect for Mr. Mor- ris orchestra. Practice is the most neces- sary thing, said Mr. Morris. Mr. Morris also teaches his students that tone quality is an essential element when playing a musical instrument. However, when conducting an orchestra one cannot merely be concerned with tone quality but with all aspects of an orchestra as a whole and is individuals like getting the drummers to play at the same time, said Mr. Morris. Learning to play an instru- ment can be hardwork but it all pays off in the end. Mr. Morris will no longer be teaching or- chestra. Mrs. Woodlief is tak- ing over but his students agree that no one can take his place in their hearts. I think everyone should thank Mr. Morris and let him know that he is greatly appreci- ated for his dedication to mu- sic, said senior David Rolbin. Orchestra — front ro ' {left to right i Shawn Tanowttz, Catherine Hudis, Gatynne Duly. Jt Choe. Suzy Lee. Drev. Devme. Hoy ard Seaman. Carolyn Suh. Second row Joshua Spincic. King Lee. Charles Boyle. Gustavo Guerrero. Roberto Sanchez. Miguel Rodriguez. Allen Martinez. .Ana Herrera. Back row: r Morris, advisor. .Augustine Ramirez. Jason Pivnik. John Cannon. Ian Kenyan. Michael Devine. Henry Olivas. Luis Rodriguez. Bryon Tonioy. Haleh .Amiri Does music make the world go round? — Mr. Morris ' students seem to thinii so. While practicing these students try to be synchronized so that they can play in harmony. Thus allowing them to concentrate on capturing the right tone quality which is an essential skill a musician must learn. Drama and Orchestra r Organizations j7