Griffith High School - Reflector Yearbook (Griffith, IN)

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If 1 were a rich man. Senior Mike Price, Tevye, dances with sophomore Mike Burge, Fiddler, who symbolizes the instability of life. Serious drinking. Isolated from the others in the bar, the Russians contemplate and discuss the news of Tevye’s daughter’s engagement. Behind the scenes. The play would be impossible without these people: make- up, set crew, lighting crew, and director. They are all essential. 22

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The Big Event Views of turmoil differ It is the late 1950’s in New York City. The buildings appear lower class, covered with graffiti. The confrontation begins. A conflict based on prejudices between two rival gangs, the Sharks and the Jets. During this turmoil two young people from the opposing sides fall in love. This is the audience’s view of “West Side Story”, presented by the drama and choral departments on April 2, 3, and 4, 1982. The view of the more than 100 people involved depends on the phase of production that they participate in. The onstage view of the actors only reveals the dark faces of the audience, obscured by the glaring spotlights, and their fellow actors with them. Onc e in a while they catch a glimpse of a stage crew member in the shadows behind the sets. Those backstage have only a limited view onto the stage. The lighting panel operator can be seen manuvering levers and switches, actors can be seen preparing to make their entrances and the stage crew can be spotted sliding pieces of scenery back and forth. Others who work on make-up or costumes can’t even observe the stage level. No matter what their view, the actors, the backstage crew, and the audience were all integral to the success of the production. Dressed to kill. During the squabble between the Sharks and the Jets, Dan Stassin, Lt. Shrank, quickly intervenes before anyone gets hurt. Is all this necessary? Actors’ features must be distinguishable from the audience, which is accomplished with theatrical make-up. 21

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The unthinkable. Senior Terry Hansen, Pernchik, and junior Robin Fetters, Hodel, dance together even though dancing was not allowed in those times. The Big Event Beating hearts set play pace The lights dim, the crowd suddenly becomes quiet, the first note is plucked from a violin, and over 40 hearts are beating per minute. The anxiety felt by the cast of “Fiddler on the Roof” slowly begins to mount on opening night. It’s very hard for a person not involved in a play to conceptualize the amount of work put into one. An actor must learn lines, learn how to speak clearly while also using an accent, learn how to dance, and learn how to become the character they’re portraying before they appear on stage. A play would hardly be possible without the aid of lighting crews, set crews stage crews, sound crews, and the orchestra under the direction of Mrs. Cynthia Spejewski. To maintain the large “Fiddler” cast under supervision a play needs a director. Mr. Gerald Spejewski fulfilled the necessary requirements of leadership successfully throughout the production. Why would someone want to sacrifice their social life, free time, family and friends to put on a play? “When you walk onto the stage it’s a challenge to make people laugh or cry. It’s also great to hear the thundering applause at the end of a show, that’s why I did it,” senior Tim Martin said. A dream come true. To prevent her granddaughter’s marriage , Grandma Tzeitel, Diane Chmiel, returns from the grave with a cautious warning. Breaking tradition. Sophomore Jeff Farley, the Rabbi, breaks a tradition as he dances with junior Jenny Marshall, Tzeitel, at her wedding.