Bethpage High School - Blue Book Yearbook (Bethpage, NY)

Page 136 text:

Shakepearean Festival Shakespearean Festival This past January our English department put on for the first time a series of seven Shakespearean plays. The plays were Romeo and Juliet, King Lear. Taming of the Shrew. The Merchant of Venice. Othello. Hamlet. and Henry V. Our own students produced and directed the plays entirely on their own. They made their own cos- tumes and programs. provided their own props, and condensed the plays by themselves. Participation by both eleventh and twelfth grade A English classes was compulsory, but any other eleventh or twelfth grade English classes were welcome to join in the fun. Preparations began before Christmas, and the plays ran until January l. 1960. The last few days students could be seen rehearsing their lines everywhere and practicing on the stage in the Little Theater. 1'Vhen all the last minute preparations were finished the plays were finally presented. The students enjoyed watching the plays and the participants enjoyed doing them. It was fun learning your lines and preparing for the big day, I think a production such as this one was a great help to the students. Seeing the plays helped us under- stand the plots much more than if we had simple been assigned to read them. This is a new and sound idea, and in the future we should be able to put on even better productions. SHAKESPEAREAN FESTIVAL First Period January 11 January 12 January 13 January 11 January 12 January 13 OTHELLO HAMLET TAMING OF OTHELLO HAMLET TAMING OF L. Balaief J. Braunfeld THE SHREW L, Bell E. Aanongen THE SHREVV N. Cooperinan B, Jones J. Braunlann B. Freund Deubel E. Aanonsen K. Powers J, Junner B. Califl' B. Grandjean P. Gioia L. Crygier A. Vachss A, Kessler T. Chion A. Kirson F. Kottmann M. Engert B. VVilson G. Kranz D. Conroy F. Kottmann J. Duebel R. Lerner N. Coopcrnian M. LeVerne P. Gioia B. Marangiello B. Marangiello H. Steele D. hlartino J, Martin M. Muller B. Reynolds S. Natkins M. Muller B. Parnes B, lierman B. Parnes T. Stiles J, Jennings January 14 January 19 January 20 January 14 January 19 January 20 MERCHANT ROMEO AND KING LEAR MERCHANT ROMEO AND KING LEAR OF VENICE JLLIET B. Calif? OF VENICE JIQLIET L. Crygier S. Holtz L. Belaief S. Holtz B. Freund N, Barnfs S, Nalkins J. Juner R. Dinsmore K. Posters B. Grandjt-an R, M.-,zzucu R. RQ-ichelt C. Kohler A. Esposito M. Rushia A. Kirson C. Mt-lone L. Rosenthal G. Kianz B. Jones Salvatu M. LeVerne R, Miller L. Volkel G. Lent bf. Rushia N. Byrnes R. Reichelt K. Munday L. VW-stphal B. Lerner T. Stiles G. Herbert Jennings B, Popq 5- Salvato H- Steele L. Rosenthal L. Burdick B. Reynolds Ll, Sirkin B. Herman F. Shaw January 21 L. Volkell HENRY V L. We-slphal J. Biauinann .lam-'3fY 21 R. Braunfeld HENRY V T. Chinn A. Bellini D. Conroy M. Engert J. Dinslnoie D. Bfartino A. Esposito R. Mazzuco D. Gulubinski C. Melone C. Kohler R. Miller J. hfercer R. Reichelt A. Vachxs Roni B. Wilson F. Shaw

Page 138 text:

History of the year The beginning of the 1959-1960 school year was an exciting and interesting experience. commencing with our introduction to the new High School and continuing through the months which were to follow. with the opening of new wings and classrooms. The scientific world also appeared to be revealing it's wonderful secrets to this age and generation. On September l2th the Russians succeeded in reaching the moon with a rocket weighing 858 pounds called l,unick II. and appropriately enough this occurred on the eve of Khrushchev's history making visit to the United States. in which the Soviet Premier toured both coasts ancl the interior of this great country. International peace was the priceless spoils of the Camp David discussions between President Eisenhower and the present master of the Soviet Republic. September will also be remember for the United Nations inter- vention in Laos. where North Yietnan was charged with ag- gression. As October must follow September. so did the growing pains of the new High School become apparent. bitt these were taken in stride hy both faculty and students and accepted as the price tag which is placed on worthwhile growth and expansion. There were many heated discussions concerning school policy over a wide variety of subjects. with the parents of the students showing as much enthusiasm as the school oflicials. In the democratic man- ner. the problems were subsequently happily resolved to the satis- faction of all concerned. YN'hile the Elders concerned themselves with the practical and material elements of school life. the students were making feverish and necessary adjustments. even to the inclusion of extra- curricular activities such as fraternity and sorority organivations. The lack of heating facilities during the first two months of school would discourage any 'tendency that a few students might have to hibernate. and the order of the day was to keep moving.