Exira High School - Exiran Yearbook (Exira, IA)

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Instead of watching the tumbleweeds blow down mainstreet, many students get involved with the arts. Some of us at E.H.S. participated in the musical, speech, band or chorus. All of these departments put on Camelot. It was a different type of musical for Exira, and needless to say, it was a smash! Almost everyone in the musical department contributed something. If we weren't acting on stage, we were helping with props, costumes, lights, publicity or make-up. We spent quite a bit of time and effort and success was the pay off. Speech had more students involved than before. It was a fan- tastic year! Readers' theatre made it all the way to All-State. Small group speech had five contests. At state contest, nine events were entered and Exira brought home eight ones. The band has contributed much to Exira. On March 30th and 31st the music department went to Dunlap for contest and did well. We have band every morning first hour. There are three different types of band: marching, concert, and jazz. All partici- pants had extra hours of practicing or marching in the winter cold. The band played in three concerts this year. All the outstanding individuals in music, band, speech, FFA, and the sports deserve special recognition for their achieve- ments. They have made us proud of them all! orts 27

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Ex Ira, Iowa Nov. 17, 1978 Field of Speech ■ udcp -Y uv l Judge . (The judge Is requested to write below any comment concerning the presentati of the contestant's selection which In his mind will help the student In hit efforts toward becoming a better speaker. He Is also asked to file this sh with the contest manager.' Contestant’s number Rating IT Contestant's Name V rq f Us Title of Selection I) The mural on the wall near the art room brightens up the barn. It was painted by Linda Hansen and Diane Doonan. 2) Diane Doonan uses her creativity in painting the mural mentioned above. 3) Melody Petersen uses a crowquill pen and India ink for a design in Art I. 4) Tanya Hoegh, Clark Parmley. Teresa Petersen and Susan Jensen watch Lynn Nelson who played Pellinore in a scene from the musical Camelot. ( ffj- I - . % ( P Signed L u vf-p-' y r V v% , V 0 •nr ■V

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C todot— ' mm congenial spot'' 2 28 musical What? What? What? . . . Camelot thats what. This popular line from the musical could also be used to express the feelings of the cast and crew at times throughout the musical. Director Jackie Sheahan. assisted by John Walker, took on no small task when Camelot was chosen as this year s production. The directors confronted many problems con- cerning costumes, sets and props. As Miss Sheahan put it. Camelot was a very difficult musical to do, but due to the hard work of the students involved it was a big success. Tryouts for Camelot were held in September at the high school. The students were required to read some of the dialogue and sing songs of the character they wished to try out for. The results: Tami (Red) Petersen received the role of Queen Guenevere. Joe Walker, in his first high school appearance, received the role of Sir Lancelot. Kent Tibben was chosen to portray Arthur, Tom Petersen — Merlyn, Mike Bro — Mordred, Lynn Nelson — Pellinore. In additi- on a chorus was chosen for the show. Kent Tibben com- mented, I always liked the show Camelot and was glad it was chosen; I really enjoyed the role of Arthur. One of the major obstacles encountered, was finding costumes for the show. High prices prevented the rental or purchase of costumes from theatrical shops. Cast members took to the sewing machines and made their own costumes. The men. though somewhat hesitant, had to set their egos aside for awhile and perform in black tights. The Art I class, under the direction of Mrs. Roy. quickly resolved the problem of scenery. Their beautiful backdrops brought the spirit of Old England to the stage. The woodworking class also helped out by supplying the show with swords. Rehearsals were sometimes frustrating, with repetition of scenes and the many lines and songs that required memorizing. Some — maybe most — of the cast was a little doubtful toward the last, but things came together and the performance on November 10 and I I went over well in spite of sparse crowds.