Jackson Township School - Saxmuri Yearbook (Roanoke, IN)

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CAST Karen Utterback spinster Jean Stabler niece Steve Simon Bob Ed Ross lawyer Nancy Swihart maid Jim Gay chauffeur Larry Middleton Joe Larry Williams Hugh Neil Yant myterious visitor Carol Lynch Paula Ruth Ann Bodenhamer housekeeper Ruth Ann Gass reporter Delbert Smith photographer I STAGE EXPERIENCE, AND MONEY Tom Shatzer, Dave Mercer, Cecil Villiard. and Bob Gosnell begin work on play sets (above). Mrs. Merckx indicates stage position to member of cast.

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Members of the cast and prompters rehearse with play books. Standing: Larry Williams, Steve Simon, Mrs. Merckx, Karen Utterback, Carol Lynch, Ruth Ann Gass, Jean Stabler, Diane Latta, Ellen Staples. Kneeling: Jim Gay, Ed Ross. JUNIOR CLASS PLAY PROVIDES FUN, Midnight ' takes place on New Year ' s Eve in a supposedly deserted house which be- comes a meeting place for a noisy newspaper reporter seeking a story, a spinster, a lawyer with a revolver, a mysterious visitor, and a host of others. The plot thickens quickly when a blue light is seen shining through a crack in the floor. Since Midnight was a mystery, every line had to be perfectly memorized so the line of thought would not be broken. Much time wai spent by the cast, Mrs. Merckx, and the stage crews in order to make it the success that it was. A stairs had to be constructed, and a bookcase built, complete with a hidden door and artificial books. Numerous lights had to be placed at strategic spots on, around, and over the stage. With peanuts used in the plot and as props the expense of peanuts could have been a problem. Eating stopped when someone suggested using clay peanuts instead of the real McCoy. The audience was so absorbed by the plot that when the chmax was reached they didn ' t even bother to throw paper airplanes. Although make-shift props are used at the re- hearsals, cast must put forth sincere expression. 20

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CAST AND STAGE WORKERS— First Row: Mar- jorie Merckx. Janet Shock, Ruth Ann Thomas, Linda Runyan. Babette Miller. Norman Balliet. Nancy Kaufman. Margaret Merckx. Elaine Harnishfeger, Anita Husbana. SecoJid Row: Rex Paul, Cora Hughes, Agatha Hoover. Bob Doerr, Ronnie Kummer, Bill Crabbs, Mrs. Hudson, Gerry Hartley, Gary Sontchi, Rex Zent, Rodney Funk, Varen Thorne, Beverly Steinbacher, Carol Hinen. SENIORS PRESENT A COMEDY OF ENTERTAINMENT Quiet Everybody is a slapstick comedy about the Edward Homey family and the conflicts occur- ring when father demands peace and quiet so he can concentrate on his new invention and a big business deal. This was found to be impossible as there are two teenagers in the family. The cast found fun backstage too. No one could tell when one of the cast would burst into uncontrol- lable laughter and the whole act would have to be rehearsed all over again. Someone was always for- getting, losing, breaking or eating the props. The eating stopped when Ronnie Kummer learned that the lemonade he had just drunk was concocted from water and yellow paint. Because of flying banana cream pies, Rex Zent found the laundry bill too high on white shirts, so a plastic bag was procured and placed over him dur- ing rehearsals. Production night knew its own emer- gencies. When some of the props were misplaced the professor had to ad lib for a minute, the zoo- keeper forgot his snakes, and a flying trip had to be made to Fort Wayne for gun blanks. Along with the fun there was work. The play took place on the Homey ' s front porch. The flats had to be put up and painted and a house front constructed. Cemetery gra.ss, trees, and porch furniture had to be borrowed or made. The cast spent nerve-wrack- ing hours memorizing their lines. Many times they had to turn down a bowling or movie date because of play practice. Mrs. Hudson gave her time and effort to direct the play. Everyone had a hilarious and unforgettable experience. Mr. Sedgewick gets one of Alvetta ' s cream pies. 22