Edina High School - Whigrean Yearbook (Edina, MN)

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fo LOMOON J«Ian 0 THE The Boy Mother Goose The Company Lisa Bankey Tammy Borgeson Brian Davies Ann Dougherty John Hendricks Beth Hunstiger Andy Marshall Paige Nienaber Beth Sallen Steve Stangler Gwynedd Warren Heidi Widell CAST Josh Lieber Lynn Thorvilson Charlie Bachmann Chris Bari Carrie Brown Mark Dorn Linda Hauskins Lisa Horecki Mike Kobs Tia Moyer Dawn Ringling Kathy SchediirJ Jon VantLand Tom Wasmoen Jill Widell Author and Artist in Residence John B. Davidson Director Nancy E, Anderson Choreographer Carol Lipschuttz Vocal Coach Diane Larsen Set Designer Alfred M. Anderson 1) Simple Simon John Hendricks asks to see exactly what pieman Charlie Bachmann has to otter. 2) Marlene Tungseth. Amy Merles and Charlie Bachmann keep their lingers crossed as Del Fredrickson posts the cast list for The Spiral Staircase l)Simplc Simon John Hendricks asks to see exactly what pieman Charlie Bachmann has to otter. 2)Marlene Tungseth. Amy Mertes and Charlie Bachmann keep their fingers crossed as Del Fredrickson posts the cast list for The Spiral Staircase. dmitting that he has been both complimented and criticized for his method of directing. Del Fredrickson described himself as a hard task-master, a stickler for detail and memorization.” While other directors have concentrated on mood development through sets or costumes, his productions have tended to be pictures of reality. His characters have been known to smoke, swear or do whatever is essential to keep things realistic. His techniques have evolved from experience and learning from his mistakes. Del began directing the school’s plays in 1950. the same year it opened. His directing duties ceased in 1967 when he became student council advisor, but resumed in 1975 as he assumed responsibility for the March play, annually presented in Thearte-in-the-Round. When asked about this type of production, he replied. Theatre-in-the-Round has always been more intense. If the audience feels involved and becomes totally emerged, forgetting that the characters are actually their classmates, then the play is a success. PLAYS 23

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Bhe curtain went up and the play began. Where was director Nancy Anderson? Most likely wandering around the halls, for she rarely watched the performances. Rather she took interest in the rehearsal process, describing her favorite kinds of plays as those designed for children, with loose scripts and little attempt to be realistic. Because of Edina-East's reputation for putting on some of the top high-school theatre productions in Minnesota, Nancy received weekly calls for advice on how to set up a successful theatre program. She credited the neat, fun and dedicated kids for making her job easier. They in turn described her as a lot of fun ... like one of the kids ... a person who really has her act together. 1) Nancy Anderson demonstrates a model stage to Jim Horovltz. 2) The faces of Dawn Ringllng, Linda Hauskins and Tammy Borgeson express the fun and excitement ot performing 3) Brian Davies. Andy Marshall and Mike Kobs sing a song of sixpence 4) Lynn Thorvllson and Josh Lieber join in a chorus of Fol-lol-diddlc-dol. Mother Goose On The Loose! whirl of make-believe and fantasy. The World of Mother Goose let loose as Edina-East’s fall production. Because of its partial funding by a grant from the State Arts Board, author John B. Davidson and choreographer Carol Lipschultz were able to work with and adjust the script to the cast. Song and dance numbers to twisted nursery rhymes and tangled children's tunes resulted, performed in small groups by the large cast. The cast was chosen by director Nancy Anderson, with three times as many people trying out as parts available. Teachers Sandy Grigg, Pat Coleman and Tom Beaver made appearances in cameo roles. Rehearsals, held five days a week for six weeks, were spent trying to fit the bits and pieces together. A disappointment for the cast was discovering they would not be reimbursed for the free tickets they had given to activity card holders. This presented a financial problem, since the fall production's profits were expected to pay for the plays put on during the rest of the year. The play opened with a boy wandering in. expecting to see a story about Mother Goose. He suddenly found himself on stage, lost in a world with rules and people he didn't understand. Strange and colorful characters constantly tricked and confused him. as well as the audience. Nancy Anderson described the underlying theme as a picture of life; although a person may know right from wrong and follow the rules, the world still seems to play unfair tricks. Although reactions to the play varied. most agreed it was crazy. Some members of the cast added that while it was fun to do. the performances lacked the energy needed to completely pull it off. Lynn Thor-vilson, alias Mother Goose summed up the cast's feelings; The play was hard work but fun to perform. Somehow everything seemed worthwhile when everyone laughed. 22 PLAYS

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hether in organized youth groups or informal Bible studies. many Edina students continued to turn to religion to enrich their lives and find answers to their problems. While a few simply followed the crowd, most were sincere in attempts to strengthen their faith. For everyone, however, these experiences offered a chance to laugh as well as to pray. Every Sunday night, an average of 300 sophomores, juniors and seniors crowded into the basement of Colonial Church. The event? Pilgrim Fellowship, of course, an evening spent singing, listening, learning, reflecting and joining hands in prayer. The popularity of P.F. was undoubtedly due to its leader. Mark Wick-strom. When Mark spoke, people listened. for his messages were easy to relate to and thought-provoking. P.F. stressed discipleship. described by one member as the spreading of God’s word as it’s been shown to us. trying to live like Christ and sharing our faith with others. P.F. cabinet, a group of thirty young advisors, met each Monday night to learn, share, discuss and pray. There were no cabinet officers this year, with everyone contributing ideas to help P.F. run smoothly. Each cabinet member also led a D-group of four to five people and helped supervise the P.F. projects: selling calenders, the Christmas tree lot. the Colorado trip and the mission trips ranging from Hibbing to Jamaica. 1) Mark Wickstrom, along with Tom Lomloux, Larry Schroeder and Mark Murphy, leads the P.F. crowd in song. 2) Young people gather at tables and listen to a performer share his faith through song at Crossroads Coffeehouse 3) Feeding each other pudding. Joe Hayes and Kathy Carter are initiated in a Young Life skit. oung Life, an international non-denominational Christian group, attracted sixty to ninety members to the Wednesday night meetings held in various homes. Besides a chance to sing and learn among friends, members took part in hilarious and often embarrassing initiations.” Memorable retreats such as Castaway, promoted more good times and lasting friendships. Eric Hansen, one of twelve leaders. commented: Edina is unique in that so many kids get involved in neat Christian activities. It's exciting to be a part of Young Life, getting to know kids and spending time with them. We hope to show them that the Christian way of life is the most exciting, the most meaningful and the most fun way to go. 24 YOUTH GROUPS