Fairfield High School - Quill Yearbook (Fairfield, IA)

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MEDEA Medea, a classic Creek tragedy, is not normally attempted by a high school theatre, right? Wrong! Mr. Brigham had faith that his cast of amateurs could do it, and do it well. His gamble paid off and Medea was a success. At times though, success was questionable. There were a few minor mishaps, such as the night Tina Ankenbauer decided to go to the hospital, or the night Mr. B. was playing games on stage and dropped a fifty pound stage weight on his foot. Another time found Clark Smith portraying King Arthur instead of Jason by running his sword through the stones on the set. Despite all the accidents, opening night came and went with- out a hitch. There were definitely two actors who stole the show. Justin Becker and Brent Weber were the two elemen- tary school students who portrayed Medea's children. The moments the cast spent with these boys were priceless. Few will forget the time that Justin stopped the scene by asking, Could we take a break, NOW?!! or when he berated every- one thoroughly for not meeting him at the bus! Brent was always hungry and drove Anne Herr, who played Medea, into hysterics whenever he looked at her with those big blue eyes, and said, Look, Mother! She had trouble adjusting to the thought of killing them. The play is basically about a woman who is cheated upon by her husband. In order to get revenge, she cremates his new bride and father-in-law. To complete her total destruction of Jason she murders their two children stating, I loathed you more than I loved them. Medea's revenge is complete. She leaves Jason broken, friendless, and lost, despised by gods and men. Medea was favored both nights as the audiences were large and everything went smoothly. For a classic normally done by high school students, everything went exceptionally well. The cast was aided by the Intro to Theatre class who helped as crew heads, set builders and other assorted jobs. 19

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Cast Medea Nurse Jason .......... Aegeus Creon .......... Women of Corinth Serving women ...............................Anne Herr Barbara Stanley ........................................... Clark Smith .............................Richard Hadley ..................................Kurt Edeker Cindy Nelson, Tina Ankenbaur, Phyllis Young, Kelly Aistrope Kim Kleemeyer, Jan Schillerstrom Slave .................................................................Nina Bussey Boys Brent Weber and Justin Becker 1. Looking without fear into their mad mother's eyes, Brent Weber and Justin Becker steal the show. 2. A typical night in the lighting booth for Janette Frieberg consists of Welch's grape soda, homework, a good book, and last but not least, following the script. 3. With the blood of her innocent children on her body, Medea stares trance like into space. 4. The light dock is not an ideal place for carrying on a phone conversation, especially during a performance. 5. With maddening thoughts rushing through her sick brain, Medea's nurse does her best to comfort her. 6. Painting pillars are Clark Smith and Dave Riley. This was one of the many tasks that went into creating the set for Medea. 18

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1. Reigning over the FHS Homecoming festivities were Queen Laura Hipp and her lovely court. 2. Lighting up the homecoming dance was the responsibility of Dave Riley. 3. Taking top honors in the Homecoming Float contest were the seniors with the theme Plow the Panthers. 4. Dave Laslo holds tight as Amy Holst leans out to put up another ceiling streamer. 5. King of the Field was the theme of the Junior class float. 6. Students gathered on tht spuare for float and hat contest results and a rousing speech by Roy Eubanks. 7. Homecoming festivities ended with the dance. The group Suede provided music. 8. Hat contest entries.