Alief Elsik High School - Ramblings Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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Theatre Arts Changes Image, Overcomes H.B. 72 “It's an actor's problem, deal with it,” is the answer from sponsor Mrs. Boone when the Theatre Arts Department is faced with a problem. The actors sought to overcome two obstacles. The first was creating a new image. The second was producing the UIL one-act play Dark of the Moon without letting House Bill 72 ruin the show. At the first officer’s meeting it was decided that Theatre Arts needed to become more visible. To do this, the club began supporting other clubs and athletics. Before athletic games, band concerts, speech tournaments, or after competition, Theatre Arts delivered good luck posters or “Theatre Arts Spotlight” congratulations. Chris Everett contended. “We've gone from being an elitest group to supporting others, and that support has come back.” “House Bill 72 has had a tremendous effect on us. It’s been frustrating for students and Mrs. Boone,” said Chris Everett. In the middle of Dark of the Moon two students had to drop out. Chris explained. “You’re so dependent on the other people, you become a family. It doesn’t run on individuals. Despite the problems, Dark was chosen to advance from district to area. At district. Junior Chris Lundquist was chosen Best Actor, Seniors Shawn Fields and Tamiko Washington and Freshman Steve McMillan were awarded All Star Cast. Senior Mike Mullen was awarded Honorable Mention. At area, Shawn Fields and Chris Lundquist were awarded All Star Cast and Tamiko Washinton, Steve McMillan, and Mike Mullen were awarded Honorable Mention. The play, however, did not advance. Sophomore Shannon Collins, commented. ”1 was disappointed. I felt like we put so much work into it and we got really close. Theatre Arts produced two other shows. On October 11 and 13. Our Town played. Senior Penni Siemens, historian, said. “Thursday was a full house and Saturday had a crowd larger than expected because of the rain.” Drama III and IV classes produced Daydreams. May 6-10 was Thespian Initiation for 13 initiates. Initiates were required to memorize 12 lines At rehersal for Dark of the Moon, Freshman Steve McMillan tells Seniors Jason Martinez and Penni Siemens that John wants to marry their daughter, Barbara Al- len, and save the family from shamo. Photo by M. Spiller of Shakespeare and buy a bag of Funyuns. among other things. The banquet was May 10 at Birra Poretti’s. The theme, death, was borrowed from the image of the mask the cast and crew of Dark gave Mrs. Boone. Mrs. Boone said Theatre Arts was appealing because, “There’s a feeling of accomplisment and a very positive atmosphere, even in the worst of times.” By M. Brown, Organizations Editor 134 Theatre Arts Waiting for Our Town rehersals to begin, Senior Tamiko Washington, Junior Dcdc Jefferson and Seniors Chris Everett and Shawn Fields are interrupted by the impromptu scenes Theatre Arts people are famous for. Photo by L. Cates

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nlor Erica Chang, who is ;o a member of NHS, sings Chorale, and plays in the II choir, works on memorizing her part for the Awards Ceremony. Photo by B. Mitchell Long Rehearsals Difficult But Worth It Amahl Choir’s First Opera casted and Mrs. Ness did the work herself with help from teachers at Olle Middle and Martin Elementary. Auditions were held and four main roles were awarded. Junior Annette Roesner and Freshman Rochelle Mitchell were chosen as Amahl's mother. Freshman Judd Davis and fifth grader Andrew Polisensky were chosen as Amahl. All four leads agreed that the long hours of rehersal were difficult. Annette commented, Mrs. Ness wanted me to be in it, but at the time I was preparing for area and Mrs. Ness wasn’t sure how my voice would take it. When December 13 came, two performances were given. Rochelle said she was most nervous at the second show when her ex-Drama teacher came. Judd added that his favorite part was hugging Rochelle. In 1954, network television aired the first production of The entire choir was used in Amahl. Singers without Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian Carlos Menotti. The actor who played Amahl attended Mrs. Ness’s church as an adult. For this reason. Amahl became a Christmas tradition at Mrs. Ness’s church. According to Mrs. Ness, It takes a lot of talent to do an opera. The choir's first opera was double Sophomore Annette Roes- ner, Amahl's mother, com- forts her son Amahl, Andrew Polisensky, with promises of better times to come. Photo by Mrs. Ness speaking parts were casted as extras. Photo by Mrs. Ness Treble I: Front: M. Dang. K. Joe, S. Comeaux, C. Gary, T. Stevens, P. Bhatt, V. Lc Roux, P. Bhatt; 2nd: A. Cook, D. Kleefman, L. Baynum, R. Thomas, T. Baldwin, K. Vilven, K. Philbeck; 3rd: R. Walker. E. Parks. J. Selbe. C. Latson, S. Tyler, S. Arfa; Back: L. Hughes, A. Caime, B. Shields, C. Brocht, E. Eppler, K. Smith. Mrs. Ness Choir 133

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As Emily Webb in Our Town, Sophomore Shannon Collins needs reassurance from her father. Senior Will Clark. Shannon says she is secure about the future her 11 years of acting have created. Photo by L. Cates Senior MatthcwTigheapplies the stage makeup that will transform him into Simon Stimson for Our town. Photo by L. Cates After two successful performances, the Our Town cast makes their final appearance for the curtain call. Photo by L. Cates Theatre Arts: Front: A. De- gregorian, P. Rose, J. Hook, S. Reis, J. Hook. D. Jefferson, A. Sanchez, T. Washington, B. Wagner, S. Collins, S. McMillan, Mrs. Boone, M. Landon; 2nd: W. Clark, C. Yang, L. Franey, J. Martinez. P. Siemens, S. Vinluan, N. Milkey, J. Henry; Back: M. Mullen, J. Hurlbert, E. Hudson, S. Fields, D. Brantley, S. Ott, C. Van Horn. Photo by B. Mitchell Theatre Arts 135