Fort Hays State University - Reveille Yearbook (Hays, KS)

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CONCENTRATION Spring Trail, Osborne senior, performs as one of the Madrigal Singers (Photos by Jean Walker) A LORD ' S FEAST Layton Nance, Syracuse senior; Paul Cash, Hays senior; Shawn Mar- tin, Hays senior; and Volvey Blocker, Ellsworth junior, carry one course of the meal 24 Madrigal

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The struggles of pioneer women, antics of twins help create a season of Stitches and stiffs ll the world ' s a stage — at least in Malloy Hall. The season be- gan with a por- trayal of pioneer women’s rugged lives, marked by emotional highs and lows in the musical “Quilters” the first week in October. “Quilters” tells the story of women pioneers though Sarah, the matri- arch of the family, who talks about all the quilts she has made in her lifetime. “The quilt is the thread that car- ries through the play,” director Stephen Shapiro said. “The spotlight is on the female role in establishing the plains. Us- ing all women helps to emphasize that,” Shapiro said. The spotlight in Felten-Start Theater then switched from pioneer women to the light-hearted produc- tion of “Noises Off.” With ‘‘Noises Off,” the area of theater also began inviting high school students for a preview per- formance. The director was Lloyd Frerer. The first spring production brought truth in the disguise of illu- sion to Felten-Start with Tennessee Williams’ “Glass Menagerie.” The classic play focuses on the delicate character of Laura Wing- field, a 22-year-old shy, crippled girl. The most unusual aspect of the production was the stage. It was only the second time in the history of the area of theater that a three- quarter stage was implemented. Shapiro, director, and Steve Lar- son, director of technical theater, chose this stage to emphasize the message of the play. “The focus is on the acting be- cause of the closeness of the audi- ence. The scenery, music and lights provide a wonderful background, but the main emphasis is on the four characters. The three-quarter struc- ture emphasizes this even more,” Shapiro said. The actors said they enjoyed the family play because they could iden- tify with the content. “It tells a lot about relationships. After seeing it, you might want to re- examine your relationships with your siblings and parents. It tells you that some things are beyond control,” Shawn Stewart-Larson, Hays graduate, said. The season concluded in a mood of comic suspense when a twin chased his brother in an attempt to murder him in the production of the mys- tery comedy “Corpse!” Director Frerer said “Corpse!” is a fairly recent play that is frequently performed on the college circuit. A review in the University Leader by Kristy Love, Palco senior, said the production offered something for every type of audience. “The Saturday night performance of this mystery-comedy for a nearly full house was quick-paced and en- tertaining, with all the actors, as well as the behind-the-scenes people, on top of things,” Love said. Bettina Heinz CAUGHT IN THE ACT. Evelyn Parrant, played by Scott Jacobs, Englewood Colo., freshman, threatens Major Powell, played by Todd Baker, Beloit sophomore, after he catches the major trying to steal a pearl necklace in the production of “Corpse!” (Photo by Carol Schryer) Campus Life 23

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Christmas brought the 25th year of the Madrigal Tradition or many stu- dents, faculty and alumni, Christmas not only brought tidings of good cheer, it also brought an an- nual feast for lords and la- dies to the university cam- pus. They gathered in the Memorial Union Sunset Lounge and were led up the stairway to the Black and Gold Room. There they enjoyed a great feast while listening to the music of Mad- rigal singers. The Old English Madrigal Dinner was introduced 25 years ago by Donald E. Stout, professor of music, and John C. Thorns, chairman of the art department. It was modeled after the Madri- gale that was brought to England from Italy during the 16th century. For an evening, the men and women who graced the halls of the university were treated like Old English gentry. “A Tradition in Its 25th Year was the theme chosen for the Madrigal Dinner conducted in early Decem- ber. Donald E. and Marguerite Stout served as lord and lady of the castle for the event that over the years became tradition on campus. Tickets for both evenings of the event were sold out within a 24 hour time span. Since it was the last performance of the Madrigal before Stout ' s retire- ment, many singers from previous years returned to sing along during the performances. As one of the Madrigal singers, Kimi Fulton, Syracuse sophomore, said, “I thought it was a lot of fun. It was neat to meet singers who had performed in previous years.” Even though Stout thought the Friday, Dec. 2, show went much smoother, he said he was particu- larly pleased with the turnout of the Saturday, Dec. 3, performance. “Saturday, when a lot of my for- mer singers came back was sort of an especially nice night for them and me,” Stout said. That performance also marked the 50 th and final production of the event for both Stout and Thorns. If the Madrigal tradition contin- ues, it will be under new direction and may undergo some changes. “I suspect that it will be a little different if they do continue it. It should befree for the new people to do the things that they want to do,” Stout said. Vicki Schmidtberger EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY Marriot employees Jill Kohlasch, Hays junior, Amy Boucher, Hays High School junior, and Lisa Dinkelf Hays junior, serve the guests of the castle (Photo by Joan Walker) Campus Life 25