James Whitcomb Riley High School - Hoosier Poet Yearbook (South Bend, IN)

Page 14 text:

SENIOR DRAMA CLUB HE Riley Senior Drama Club is one of the oldest and most outstanding organizations in the school. It was y originated for the purpose of creating and developing student interest in school dramatics. The Drama Club was formed G in 1932 under the leadership of James Perry, President, and Miss Ruth Richmire, Sponsor. Since that time the club has grown both in membership and in the scope of its activities, It presents each year for the student body a full length pro- duction. a Christmas play, and an assembly program. En- deavoring to raise the standard of high school dramatics, it e presented this year James Barrie's Quality Street, which was an unusual success. H-Amk MCDAVITT :..,,, I To Miss Elaine McDavitt, who became a member of the Riley faculty just a year and a half ago, belongs much of the credit of a rejuvenated drama department, Under her able leadership, an advanced dramatics course is now offered to Riley students, the Drama Club has broadened its activities, and the school stage has come into its own. Her successes as a director of school productions include Big Hearted Herbert, Little Wom- en. Double Door. The Merchant Gentleman. 'ARollo's Wild Oat, and Quality Street. The Senior A class joins with the ICSI of the school in voicing its gratitude for the untiring efforts of its new friend. Miss McDavitt. I-IOOSIER POET 15

Page 13 text:

YANDXD M SHOT 5 -L..

Page 15 text:

JUNIOR .Fl PRODUCTION HROLLOS WILDOAT' OFT music-lights-an expectant hush over the audience-and the curtain rises on Rollo's Wild Oat, this year's Junior A play production. And great was the suc- cess thereof, for it was a combination of an excellent play choice. a great cast, and a fine director. The plot itself centered about Rollo Webster, an idealistic young man, who cher- ished a great desire to play Hamlet. Through a gift from his wealthy, although entirely unsuspecting grandfather, he was able to realize his ambition and to produce A'Hamlet -with the aid of a flashy stage manager and a company of Shakespearian actors, includ- ing one fair Ophelia who completely won the affection of her Hamlet. But right in the middle of the first act on the opening night Hamlet 1Rollo, of course? received a tele- gram that his grandfather was dying-and he completely deserted his play only to find his grandfather had sent a fake message to test his affection, and to persuade him to stop his fool attempts at acting. Confiict followed, but needless to say. the love affairs of Rollo and Ophelia, and of Rollo's sister and her actor ended happily, and Rollo was finally content to forget Hamlet, except when wooing his own Ophelia. and to go into his grandfather's business. The leading role of Rollo Webster was excellently done by Maurice Jessup. His fair Ophelia was none other than Cordia Nally who was charming as the leading lady. And we certainly enjoyed the performance of Beverly Fothergill as the younger sister, and Bill Osbourne as her actor-lover. The comedy scenes, in the hands of Arthur Wolford as the excitable stage manager and Keith Klopenstein as the melancholy and rather whimsical butler, were extremely amusing to say the least. The Shakespearian company, including Annabelle Redick as Mrs. Park Gales, and Ralph Freed and Arthur Dahlgreen as Whortley Camperdoun and Thomas Skitterling, added to the general note of hilarity. The gruff. though kind-hearted grandfather. played by John Stevenson, the dear old aunt interpreted by Martha de Meyer, and the accommodating Bella, by Frances Mof- fitt, all contributed to the finished product, which was not only a credit to Miss McDa- vitt and the Junior A Class. but to the school itself. Congratulations? 16 HOOSIER POET