Cooper High School - Talons Yearbook (New Hope, MN)

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+- How we can't start a rock fight, complain the young boys, Corey Hels an Tom Nynas, after hearing the school bell ring. 1Jones, Jason Schirshlight, catches a terrified Mayor, David Webber, who has leapt into his arms after hear- ing the Griffin roar. FALL SHOW CA T Front Row: W. Waszut, S. Smith, D. Webber, D. Peterson, R. Berdahl, M. Johnson Back Row: C. Runke, J. Schirshlight, M. Markovich, R. Kempf. T Quady, C. Hels, J. Kohnen. T. Rautio, J. Plombon, T Nynas. Not Pictured: A. Lee. Fall Play - 19

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18 - Fall Play Good grief! Drama for kids! The Drama Department added a new dimension to Robbinsdale Cooper with the production of the Children's musical com- edy, Good Grief, a Griffin, presented November 21, 22, and 23. Traditionally, plays catered to the more mature au- diences. The fall play broke this trend by performing for an audience of children. Russ Erickson, an elementary school teacher and the president of the Associa- tion of Childhood Education International, initiated the idea of providing a theatrical experience for area elementary children. The Drama Department cooperated with the A.C.E.l. to produce a musical for the children. Students from several elementary schools attended matinee performances of the play. Director Julie Rask, with the assistance of Erickson, created a special effect for the performers and the audience by having the children verbally respond to the question, Have you seen the Griffin? The children also often attempted to touch the characters when the cast carried the play into the audience. Rask explained to the cast, uActing in front of children means getting on the same level and playing the story right to them. After the audience roared with laughter, Tim Quady said, It made me feel important because I touched the children's hearts and made them laugh. Children of all ages enjoyed the com; bination of suspense, philosophy, and humor; and they related to the Griffin and his antics. After seeing the play, one elementary school'bstudent had this com- ment for the cast: I love you! i' Q I The Griffin, Dave Peterson, describes the magnifi- cent statue of himself to the Minor Canon, Rob Berdahl. -. A cowering Willie, Matt Johnson. stands paralyzed as he awaits the appearance of the Griffin.

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I Bec'lky Kbpp adds mood GriegA Griffin to, the long Iistfof, Cooper productions she has h accompanied. ' ' , ' . 4 I Charles Johnson enjoys watching choreography while relaxing between scenes. a Paul Seavey and Wendy Waszut get some of their six hours of required technical work out of the way. 20 - Behind the Scenes