Bishop Feehan High School - Flashback Yearbook (Attleboro, MA)

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Behind the Scenes — the Other Half of Drama When the curtain opens, revealing an F.T.C. production, the audience is delighted with the quality of the show. But they are only getting half of the picture. Behind the set there lies another world where the atmosphere is hot, the pace lightening quick, and the pressure high. The creatures who inhabit this land dart about silently in the dark, moving furniture, changing costumes, and rigging backdrops. This is life behind the scenes. It all begins the day rehearsals commence. Studious pupils are transformed into actors and technicians on the way to the theatre at 2:00 after school. Director Ms. Andrade chisels away at her list of things to do while waiting for everyone to arrive. We, the punctual, can be found scattered throughout the theatre premises. Some are running lines, others gossipping about who is dating whom, and one or two can be found in a quiet corner catching up on some sleep. As opening night draws closer, the backstage pulse increases. The blaring of power saws and machinery in the “shop” can be heard above the syncopated beat of multiple hammers joining the already cut wood. This room, engulfed in a cloud of sawdust, shares the music screaming from the ghetto blaster of those painting a guard rail in the hall. All of this is competing with the soundman, who, while testing the cues through his P.A. system, sneaks in a tape of a Led Zeppelin classic. The actors force countless lines into their minds midst all the cacophony. Meanwhile, a group re-adjusting the lights in the ceiling was interfering with those trying to make the ballroom backdrop come down properly. And some of the performers in scene two, who were rehearsing a dance in the foyer, were needed to practice a song from scene four. Others were rotating the turntable so we could run scene five on stage. The remaining members were tracking down lost props, learning about makeup, and copying down the rehearsal schedule for the following week. This was just an average day behind the scenes, which continued until the show is complete. So next time you Technicians, Robert Cord and Gilbert Lapointe, synchronize sound with an on-set action. Exhausted after long days and longer nights of practice, Kelly Reid snatches a nap. Not only the show but homework also must go on. Between acts, Diane Sweeney recopies an English theme. marvel at how professional the F.T.C. productions are, remember ... everything looks so easy from the front because everyone is working so hard in the back. Behind the Scenes 11

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Silks, satins, and patches are all in a day’s sewing for wardrobe mistress, Eva Marchal and assistant, Todd Connors. Roll-on-paint simplifies Joseph Greigelevich’s task of readying the set. HW “e, ‘1 1] Makeup artist Jean Ahern, adds a few years to “Just you wait, Henry Higgins” is belted out by an =‘ My Fair Lady in three weeks? Of course. Ms. Marianne Norton for her “motherly” role in Fireman jrate Eliza as she gets an accompanying beat from Charlene Andrade, our own “miracle worker” did it Save My Child. hidden pianist, Robert Butera. again. 10 Behind the Scenes

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Soaking up the Italian sunshine, Susan Corso sits on the steps of the ancient Roman Senate building in the Forum. Helping the tired little feet and legs of sixth grader, James Maroni, Robert Nicastro gives a shoulder ride at Pompeii. Aided by his Michelin Green Book, multilingual tour guide, Gian Carlos, made our Stay in Italy very pleasant. Real Italians, especially in small neighborhood restaurants in Florence, do drink wine with meals. Paula Agostini, Robert Nicastro 12 April in Italy Suellen Carroll, Amy Barca, Susan Corso, and Amy Brunell wait for the next course. Agostini, Suellen Carroll, Amy Brunell, Daniel Pearson, Amy Barca, and Robert Nicastro recall their Shakespeare. Directly from the plane, our first stop was at Verona, the home of Juliet Capulet. Sister Enda Costello, Susan Corso, Jennifer Tausek, Paula