Grant High School - Memoirs Yearbook (Portland, OR)

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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

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Drama 23

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Playing Starbuck, an enterprising con man with a smooth tongue. Ethan Kramer calls upon the heavens to bring an end to the drought. Double-cast in the role of Starbuck. Tom Jones describes his amazing ability to Miss Lizzy, played by Jennifer VanDever. In a role that required John Useldinger to act as head of the family of grown children, he reminds his daughter that marriage should be her goal. Playing one of the brothers in the family. Brad Reeves muses about his future in the first act. Gathered at the dinner table, the men of the family with their guest. Starbuck, use their best boarding house reach while Lizzy watches. Drama 25