Arsenal Technical High School - Arsenal Cannon Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

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ff, l 'LIL f , t gy Al!! Allen Lang is contemplating the words of The Wiz's song, Believe in Yourself, wondering if deep inside he really does have courage. l l i Lorei McGee looks out into the star studded sky dreaming of the day she'Il get her brain. We see you now for what you are: now tell us how does it feel? scream the four friends when they find out that the Wiz is a phony. .. Fall Musical 15

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We're ff to See WZ To everything there is a season. As the last summer sun set beyond the horizon, and the leaves dressed themselves in gold and orangish red, the thing that was for Autumn was the fall musical, The Wiz. Oliver Wendell Holmes said, There is no time like the old. But the Tech music depart- ment found itself straying away from tradition. This year's musical, The Wiz, adapted from Braum's classic The Wizard of Oz was performed in the fall. Traditionally the musical had been given in the spring. The directors felt that having the musical in the fall would in- sure a large tryout and enough committed cast to perform The Wiz. The casting of the play also took on a unique twist. The Scarecrow and the Tin Man were played by females. When l found out l had gotten the part of Scarecrow, l was ecstatic. Playing him was a real challenge, commented junior Lorei McGee. D'Ondra Col- eman who played the Tin Man added, The hardest thing for me to do was hiding my feminine characteristics, especially my voice. Three performances were given: one to the student body as a matinee, and a Friday and Saturday performance before a general audience. From the moment the spot lights hit the stage until the last curtain call, the cast was transformed from mere high school students to citizens of the Land of Oz. Au- dience member, Jackie Easley commented, l felt the acting was very professional and l lov- ed the colorful costumes. Mr. Paul Prather, one of the direc- tors remarked that The Wiz was a 'fun' musical for the kids to do. Allison Brinkley who played the part of Dorothy said. The most thrilling moment for me was during my last song, Home. Listening to the words as l sang them gave me the energy to do my best. After the production was over and the cast members went back to everyday life, they were left with a feeling of contentment and a little sadness. Maybe feeling as Dorothy did during her song, Home - living in this brand new world might be a fantasy, but its taught me to love and that's real to me. Each cast member felt a little bit closer to the others. l'm evil with everyone today is what Tracy Cameron is feeling as she prepares to hang Edwin MacDonald after he brings her bad news. Members of the Wiz cast have their own Amen corner during the spirited song, Y'All Got lt? performed by Steven O'NeaI. ,L,',.,,v.4i-, 1- .M V, V. -1. .. .ti ,, - ,T ., L! -, b 14 Fall Musical

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He Ain't Heavy E'S MY BRUTHER Like a bridge over troubled waters. This Simon and Garfunkel lyric that was popular in the sixties captured the mood of music during 1985-86. Artists joined together to feed the hungry and made a political statement. Live Aid which was held in Philadelphia, was a concert that raised over 40 million dollars and brought together again groups like The Whog Peter, Paul and Maryg and Led Zep- pelin. Adapting the original idea Bob Geldof had for the Live Aid concert, many rock groups began donating their time and talents like those who par- ticipated in Live Aid. Closer to home, some 50 country and rock performers, with actor emcees, put on a 15-hour show in Champaign, ll- linois. The show harvested S10 million and legislative support for the American farmers. ln- diana's own John Cougar Mellencamp performed to help raise money for farmers in Seymour, where he was reared. Raising awareness about apartheid, Artists United Against Apartheid released an album and video entitled Sun City. This helped to support black South African activists. Superbowl contenders, The Chicago Bears, made a video and cut a record to publicize The Superbowl Shuffle which made the Bear players popular. Rookie, William 'The Refrigerator' Perry was known throughout the country by his appearance on the video. The Bears were not the only athletes to make a video, the professional wrestlers made one as well. Not only did the wrestlers make a video, they also cut an album. Charity did not benefit from the video or the album, but it brought the wrestlers together as a team. Syndicated cartoonists also pulled together in a joint effort. Doonesbury cartoonist, Garry Trudeau, convinced the other cartoonists to deal with hunger in their Thanksgiving Day strips. Through this effort, the strips raised S137 million and the consciousness of the world toward the problem of hunger. Techites, too, became acute- ly aware of these world problems. William 'the Refrigerator' Perry lifts Walter 'Sweetness' Payton after the Shufflin' Crew won Super Bowl XX. During a break backstage, Farm Aid performers take time out to relax from the pressures of performing. 5. 1 6 Musical Friendship