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

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FRANTIC Blackouts, corpses, pin-ups typify backstage follies In the fall play, the job of student director took on a new angle for Ursula Choin. Besides organizing props, cueing lines, and assisting directors, Choin had to play the part of a dead body. During the musical's senior citizens show the lights backstage and on stage suddenly went out. While directors and technicians ran around. Chris Cook, a member of the lighting crew, observed, It was really weird, all of a sudden all the authority figures were around us, and then just as fast they all disappeared. On closing night of the musical, the lighting crew decided to play some practical jokes on the cast. Meredith McGrath discovered a pin-up had been mysteriously placed in her mop bucket. Volunteering their after school hours, the members of the musical orchestra from Once Upon A Mattress discovered that they would have to do more practicing than they wanted to. Connie Borman, junior, said, The score was really hard. It kept changing keys. Stan Hahn, technical director for both the fall play and musical, stayed after school on several occasions with the tech crew to supervise the building of the sets designed by Jeff Phillips. According to Hahn, the tech crew had its first injury award this year. The girl stepped on a nail, so we gave her the nail on a plaque, said Hahn. Although they have fun working to get a production on stage, the behind the scenes people aren't often recognized for their achievements. 20 — Bohind the Sconos

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MURDER! First Mr. Hotchkins, then Mr. Spenalzo. Who will be next? Phil Darg returned to direct Joseph Kesseling's, Arsenic and Old Lace, a show he starred in seven years before on the Cooper stage. This time, the role of Teddy Brewster, who believes he is Theodore Roosevelt, was played by Eric Rautio. Along with Rautio, Jason Scherschligt portrayed the eldest and most villainous of the Brewster brothers, while Scott Brown acted in the role of the only sane member of that household. Mortimer. Having the part of a set character was a nice change; I knew what was expected, and I could be creative with it, said senior, Eric Rautio. Working behind the scenes, the cast and tech crew of Arsenic and Old Lace spent considerable time and energy toward the production of the fall play. With only four weeks to construct the entire set, the tech crew had its work cut out for them. Wo had a difficult time attempting to build the set itself, and it would have been much easier if the actors weren't there,” said student director. Nolan Shackelford. Aside from movement coinciding with pounding hammers, the cast and crew were able to work around each other. With the props and costumes we had, it was easy for the actors and actresses to get into their roles, said Ted Hesse, junior. The two Brewster sisters, Abby and Martha, were played by senior, Mollie Stickney, and junior, Julie Mundale. Shannon Smith's portrayal of Jonathon's sidekick. Dr. Einstein. highlighted the show and encouraged the audience's laughter. FALL PLAY CAST: Front Row: D. Strootor, T. Merldo. K. Tossman. A. Rautio. Back Row: T. Hesso. U. Choin, E. Rautio. S. Brown. J. Mundalo. M. Stickney, O. Ansari. J. Scherschligt. S. Smith, H. Johnson. L. Overby. — J Alter tying and gagging Mortimer Brewster. Scott Brown, his brothor Jonathon. Jason Schorschligt. along with his sidekick Dr. Einstein. Shannon Smith, attempt to use inhumano methods to disposo of Mortimer. Their soon-to-be victim will be lucky numbor thirteen. — Junior Ted Hesse puts the props to use backstage as he trios to catch a quick catnap. Unknown to him. Shannon Smith seizes the opportunity to make a surprise attack. Fall Play — 19

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— —- Aftor tho dosing oi tho musical, tho Once Upon a Mattress cast put in their required set strike hours. Loss timo is spent on set strike than on set construction. Tho orchestra is a vital part of tho musical. Diroctod by Roger Thompson, a few of the orchestra members are Jean Follbaum. Sue Kopp, Mike McGrath, Chad Svihel, Connie Borman, and Twila Smith. J J As technical director. Stan Hahn's job not only includod building scenery. After a day of technical work, ho sweeps up the set construction room. J David Lucs' first musical was Once Upon a Mattross. Not only did ho play in tho orchestra, but he also accompanied dancers and other cast mombors during rehearsals. — Taking a break from a night session of tho tech work, Paul Bottom and studont technical director, Nolan Shackelford, sharo a pizza. Late hours aftor school often meant fast food for dinner. Behind the Scenes — 21