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

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A A Children In the prologue watch their buttertly disappear, from left: Rachel Benson. Amy Schir-macher. Jeff Plombom. Brad Hanson. Mark Sawatsky. Bernie Reisberg. and Matt Johnson as the priest. Ralph (Dave Wintheiser) discusses alcohol consumption with his brother Jay. A After receiving news of Jay's death, Catherine (Laura Lindstrom), Aunt Hannah (Diane Izzard). and Mary (Suzy Lee) are horrified. ◄ Andrew expresses his anguish as Mary's father. Joel Lynch (Todd Wendt) looks on with concern. All the Way Home “We come from people, and in time they fall away from us ... But maybe if we keep going in the direction we think is right ... maybe we can’t ever get all the way there, but at least we can make that distance less than it was.” Everyone struggles with their beliefs; as they grow different things become important to them. This separates them from others, but maybe we will learn to communicate better as life goes on. The fall play, All the Way Home, by Tad Mosel was based on James Agee’s novel. A Death in the Family. It shows the Follet family in Tennessee in 1915. When Jay Follet, played by Andrew Dahlen, dies in a car accident, the family members are all deeply affected. The play deals with these reactions, but the joys and sorrows of being alive, whether young or old relate to all people. The show was directed by Gretchen Heath. Ms. Heath received help from John Elsen. Peter Frantz, who also played Andrew, Jay’s brother-in-law, and Reenee Kempf, the student director. Mike Koski designed and built the set. Most of the action was in the Follet family’s home. Three third graders made rehearsals more spicey. One of them. Rufus, played by Benjie McLaughlin, was Jay’s son. Suzy Lee, who played Mary Follet (Jay’s wife and Rufus’ mother) said, “Benjie knew everyone’s lines. He would come up and recite them to you.” On the November 5 performance Amy McQuade interpreted the show for the hearing impaired. Belinda Nitzkorski choreographed the prologue. This was slow movements to Barber’s Adagio for Strings. It set the mood, involving the pursuit of a butterfly by the children in the neighborhood. The theme of a butterfly comes back at the close of the play when Andrew tells Rufus about the funeral. “This perfectly magnificent butterfly came and settled on the coffin ... the sun came out just dazzling bright, and he flew up and out of that hole in the ground, high in the sky — so high I couldn’t even see him any more.” Fall Play — 25

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▲ A Rufus (Benjie McLaughlin) approaches Great Great Granmaw (Brenda Poltiske) as Great-Aunt Sadie (Joan Hill) and family look on. A Grandparents Tim Korsmoe and Karen Falk-ingham mourn their son’s death. A Jay Follet (Andy Dahlen) and his wife Mary (Suzy Lee) reminisce about Rufus’ old stuffed dog. ► Rufus enjoys the company of his Uncle Andrew (Peter Frantz). 24 — Fall Play

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Behind the Scenes From set construction to costumes to makeup, props, lighting, and publicity, technical theater is constantly building toward the success of a production. “I think technical theater is everything necessary to mount a production,” said Jeff Phillips, director of the one-act and the auditorium manager. “They are very important.” There are several different groups that are involved behind the scenes. The tech crew, directed by Michael Koski, builds the scenery for all the productions. They usually build the scenery from scratch, going as far as making their own wallpaper. For the production of “All the Way Home”, the tech crew gathered thousands of fall leaves, pressed them, and hung each leaf to create foliage for a tree. “It’s a lot of work,” said junior tech member, Beth Braden; “but to make it yourself — it’s worth it.” This group of students often stays late at night, works on weekends, and sometimes even stays overnight. Director Gretchen Heath did the coordinating of the publicity crews for the productions she directed, making sure that there were posters and advertising, as well as the programs. The costumers suited costumes to character, personality, and time period. The behind-the-scenes people may not be the superstars of the show, but without them, the production wouldn’t be even half as successful. Next time, observing a drama production, take a close look at the scenery, notice how the lights are used for effect, and look at how the costumes seem to be a part of the character. Get the whole picture and appreciate technical as well as dramatic theater. ▲ Junior Cindy Berg and Senior Joan Hill pull a prop into its proper place J Tech Adviser Michael Koski points to add impact to his instructions ► Junior Cindy Berg and Senior Jim Chandler set stairs into correct places 26 — Tech Crew