Grambling State University - Tiger Yearbook (Grambling, LA)

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eo eoOnomry ZrPzmmre Z=rOOsn Orchesis Dancing Their Way To Fame The pay is “extremely low,’”’ the competition is tough and only the strong survive. If you are a member of the Grambling State University Orchesis Dance Group, you are quite accustomed to the above criteria. They are the “‘facts of life’’ for each dancer. Actually, it’s not all that bad. There are benefits—travel, fame and performances before thousands of appreciative fans. Heading the famous dance group is Dianne Maroney, an out- standing teacher and disciplinarian. To become an Orchesis member one must endure hours of practice. In the fall dancers work out daily from 6 to 8 p.m. and springtime sessions are even longer. In addition to the 6 to 8 p.m. daily practices, Orchesis members also attend 12:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday extravaganzas and 10 to 12 a.m. Sunday workouts during the spring. How does one join? Well, anyone can try out. Although for- mer dance training is desirable, it’s not required. Ms. Maroney is known for her ability to train anyone willing to learn. Beginners usually start with the apprentice group. There one . perfects his or her skills in hopes of making the first unit. Competition is keen on both units, and one must try out for each dance performance. “We're actually organized like a dance company,” noted dancer Robin Porter. ‘‘The group is all volunteer and there is no pay.” Practice is usually held in the basement of Bowen Hall. There members are trained in the techniques of ballet, modern (Tortou and Graham) dance, jazz and ethnic routines. In the fall most of the time is spent getting ready for halftime performances. Springtime work is geared more towards shows at universities and area schools. So why does one join such an elite group? Ms. Porter gave this reason: “I love to dance and this keeps me in shape.’ Members of the organization include Ronald Jackson, Cheryl Gilyard, Mia Lancaster, Arlene Wright, Robin Porter, Khi Wil- liams, Millicent Pnen, Libbie Taylor, Tracy Benjamin, James Sherrell, Alexis Pricsley, Toni Singleton, Monica Illes, Angela Spearman, Lorraine Morgan, Carla Winston, Stephanie McHenry, Charena Steverson, Reva Holmes, Andrea Satanley and Makeda Zulu. Male dancer practices. Members of the first unit work out. Dianne instructs. onsite

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es eetrn iy, BAS Tiger Life 321

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Anthony Harris He Paints For Fun And Money Photos-Story By Eugene Calloway If you hear a hissing sound coming from the eighth floor of Drew Hall, don’t be afraid, for its not a snake. No, its Anthony Harris and his air brush. Anthony, a 19-year-old sophomore from Lafayette, N.Y., has been drawing all his life, but has only been involved in air brush art for two years. During recent Student Government Association election cam- paigning, this commercial art advertising major created numer- ous colorful banners and posters for candidates. Much of his work was displayed in front of McCall Cafeteria. Harris started out by watching Mexican and white air brush painters. Anthony practiced on things around the house and gradually improved to the point of being hired at a T-shirt store. “| paint most things free-hand, but for the really complicated projects | outline,” the artist revealed. He works in his room or on location. ‘“‘When you first start out it’s costly, but after the initial outlays then you only have to - purchase paint,” Anthony commented. An air compressor and air gun cost about $300. The paint runs about $10 per quart, which lasts usually about a month, depending on how much work must be done. T-shirts take about 15-20 minutes to complete and sheets require about an hour to an hour-and-a-half depending on what the customer wants. All kinds of people come to Anthony. They range from friends to students and from companies to private organizations. This creative Gramblinite has worked on museum displays, done murals at home and fashioned landscape scenes for the Department of Communications and Theatre. Although Anthony does a lot of work, he readily admits he has competition. “I’m not afraid of it. If people think someone else is better, they should go to them.”’ He added, “You can’t just come off the street and air brush. Unless you have had a background in grafitti art or some type of artistic background, you will have difficulty in the air brush field.” Harris creates many signs.