Grant High School - Memoirs Yearbook (Portland, OR)

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Drama 23

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Trios' vanity spans a decade Vanities was performed on February 26, 27, 28 and March 1 and was directed by Mr. Bruce McDonald. He commented. “I had top-notch actresses for this performance that shows the changes in the lives of three women from 1964 to 1974.” The play was double-cast with one performance showcasing seniors and the other, juniors. The seniors were Becca Kimball, Tiffany Davidson and Joslin Larson. The junior cast was Becky Roberts, Cathy Konsella and Jeni Loney. Because the cast was so small the performers received extra attention from the director and they had the experience of becoming very close friends. Senior, Joslin Larson, commented, “the two casts didn’t really see each other, but we learned from each other’s performances.” The actresses practiced at least two or three hours a day and spent their free time looking for costumes and props. Senior Tiffany Davidson remarked, “although we spent a lot of time, it was worth it in the end.” The cast put on their make-up and fixed their hair on stage in order to emphasize their terrible vainness. Becca Kimball explained, “the idea of the play was to really portray the characters vanity and the resulting emptiness in their lives.” They created an image of each of them sitting in their own rooms at their dressing tables. Jennie Loney explained, “we tried to expand our characters by role playing and analizing the background of the script.” Performing in L-l was a little frightening to the performers because they were so close to the audience but everyone who went t o see the play thought it was an excellent set up. Musing over the high cost of social popularity. Tiffany Davidson complains about the expectations of fraternity boys. The junior cast of Vanities, Jeni Loney. Becky Roberts, and Cathy Konsella. pledge devoted friendship to each other during their college years. Practicing their most alluring and enthusiastic cheer. Becky Roberts. Cathy Konsella and Jeni Loney portray high school friends in 1964. Aware of the effects of time on their friendship. Becca Kimball. Joslin Larson and Tiffany Davidson realize that things will never be the same for them. Portraying a woman with a generous heart and a gullible mind. Becca Kimball tells her old friends that they have no right to judge her past unless they’re willing to look hard at their own. Both casts pose back to back: Becca Kimball. Becky Roberts. Jeni Loney, Joslin Larson. Cathy Konsella. and Tiffany Davidson. 22 Drama

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 Rain and romance made on stage Rainmaker, a wonderfully corny, romantic comedy, was one of two plays performed during the spring. Having two plays in production cut down on the size of the audience, but it provided more opportunities for acting experience. In attempting this schedule. Grant’s drama department was unique in Portland, since no other school has attempted a simultaneous, double production. Because the play had a small cast, lead parts were given to two performers who alternated. The big advantage to a small cast was that it provided an intimate atmosphere so the cast members were able to get to know each other well and have a lot of fun. As director Bruce MacDonald described, “The cast and I laughed and giggled during rehearsals, but did they ever love those romantic kissing scenes.” The audiences that came to see Rainmaker were small, but the uncrowded auditorium did provide some advantages. The actors were able to get to know the audience and relate directly to them and even pick out the voices of people they knew. The cast agreed that enthusiastic audience response brought out better performances form the group. One member of the audience commented, “it was great to be able to sit anywhere I wanted and it was easy to hear the performers .” Many of the performers in Rainmaker-made their acting debut at Grant or played their first major role. AJ Bannon felt that his first major role challenged him in unexpected ways. “The hardest things to learn was to project my voice out to the audience and to make the fight scenes authentic. Jennifer VanDever helped the cast with techniques that would make the fighting seem real.” Johnny Useldinger, a freshman, was acting for the first time at Grant in a large role. Ethan Kramer who played the part of the Rainmaker commented, “I think it is great that Johnny was cast. He deserved the part and he did a great job!” 24 Drama