Grant High School - Memoirs Yearbook (Portland, OR)

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Portraying Sky Masterson. senior Sean Six is shocked by the boldness of an inebriated Sarah Brown, played by senior Shelly Stevens. The gamblers, including Matt Nolan and Time True playing Nathan Detroit, decide on red carnations for the secret symbol to enter the big card game Waiting in the wings, sophomore Matt Nolan and senior John Farnum enjoy the theater atmosphere. Director Bruce MacDonald gives stage instuctions to the cast. As she bounces to the song. “A Bushel and a Peck,” senior Joslin Larson energetically performs the part of Adelaide. Scot Zeller, as Sky Masterson. urges Sarah Brown to let her emotions show. Romantic musical opens season Grant’s drama season opened in November with Guys and Dolls, a romantic musical set in New York City during the gangster era. Directed by Barbara Hollcraft, the play mixed a complex story line that included two romantic couples and lots of up-beat songs. The audience at all six performances couldn’t help but be entertained. After seeing the production, senior Justine Light remarked. “I was thoroughly impressed with the superacting abilities of all of the leads. They were super fantastic.” To take advantage of the wide range of acting talent available, all the leading roles in Guys and Dolls were double-cast. Several seniors had a chance to increase their stage experience. Sean Six, who shared the role of Sky Masterson with Scot Zeller, stated, ‘‘It gave me more self-confidence when it comes to musical theater.” When asked what she gained from playing the part of Adelaide, Rebecca Kimball said, ‘‘I was constantly learning new things about my character up to the very minute of the performance and even after that; characterization is a never-ending process.” Weeks of rehearsal, starting in late September and continuing after Guys and Dolls opened, gave the cast plenty of time to memorize lines, practice tunes and learn the tricky dance sequences choreographed by Bruce McDonald. Joslin Larson explained the schedule: “We rehearsed every week night. That can seem tough, but it really pays off.” Quinn Black, a drama rookie, agreed with Joslin saying, “The best part for me was watching the play come together and look better every time.” After seeing a Friday night performance, senior Jennie MacDonald remarked, “I thought the New York accents were well done. They made the play more believable. Obviously they spent a lot of time and effort on the entire production.” 18 Musical

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Drama achieves state honors One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest played from January 29 through Feburary 1. It required over 45 people to produce and included some of Grant’s most prestigous actors. “We had great, spectacular actors for this production,” said the assistant director, Liz Morris. With Tim True as Randle McMurphy, a man who sees a stretch in the asylym as a good way to get out of his jail sentence, McMurphy’s dominating personality quickly set him apart from the other patients. McMurphy struggled to win the other patient’s trust and admiration, but they were reluctant because of their fear of Nurse Ratched, played by Cindy Ganley. The patients had lost hope in themselves, and McMurphy tried to restore their hopes. “McMurphy had hope in them and we all need hope,” stated Barbara Hollcraft the director of the play. “It took a lot of mental preparation to play Chief Bromden”, Jason Hogue, “I spent a good deal of time sitting alone backstage to prepare for the part”. The development of the character was astonishing to watch. Scenes of Bromden revealing his inner thoughts to the audience were emotional for the cast and the audience. Each participant put their utmost into this production. Ms. Hollcraft said of the play, “I’ve always wanted to do Cuckoo’s Nest, and when some of my students said that they too wanted to put on the play, I told them it would be okay.” All the actors did a superb job on this play including performances by Scott Zeller, Doug Petrina, and David Erickson. In evidence of the ensemble’s fine work, the production was selected as one of two to perform at the State Thespian Contest. As Randel McMurphy Tim True shows his fellow inmates. Scot Zeller, Jay Harwell, and Timothy Miller, the enjoyment of nude photo playing cards. Presiding over the mock wedding of Allison Oberbillig and Scot Zeller, Doug PetTina portrays Dale Harding. Before going on stage as Martini, Timothy Miller is made up by Deedee Morris. Nurse Ratched played by Cindy Ganley looks on at the comatose body of McMurphy. Chief Bromden played by Jason Hogue sits quietly as David Erickson, Cindy Ganley, Tim True, and Trent Robb look on. 20 Drama