La Porte High School - El Pe Yearbook (La Porte, IN)

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CommitteeA an the backbone Mr. Munson tells Gary Decker the type of lighting needed for the first act. Looking behind any scene of the 1959 spring and fall plays revealed many people hurriedly preparing for opening night. Our wo directors, Miss Kellogg and Mr. Munson, spent many hours coaching the actors in the correct way to move, speak, and dress. The student directors were responsible for prompting and generally doing the bidding of the directors and actors alike. The two shows called for different ef- fects. The Happiest Millionaire” required a setting with rich materials and expensive furniture with the actors dressed in fine and elaborate costumes of the early 1900’s. The fall play, on the other hand, needed a setting placed during the time of the French Revolution. In contrast to the spring play, a lively comedy, The Black Flamingo”, had to present a mysterious castle which was old and dirty. Artfully using the correct mixtures of paint and suitable props, our crews perfected very convincing sets. The mem- bers of the properties committees had to beg, borrow, Ruth Hacker and Sharon Hcrzig look over the costume arrangement for the 1959 spring play. 28

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Madame Bodicr listen» as Rouricn tells Uodicr of the wealthy aristocrats who can be robbed. Popo (Ron Wolf); their romance supplied some comical momencs in the play's tense atmosphere. A more serious courtship was carried on by Trigaud, who charmed Diana with violin music and his flow- ery language. When Francois disappeared, Count Cagliostro hyp- notized Diana so that she could find her brother. Un- seen powers drew her to the haunted fireplace; sud- denly she screamed and fainted, and her brother's body fell to the floor. This strange happening led Trigaud to explore the fireplace, and he discovered a secret door. Suddenly a ragged old man (Kent Oakes) stumbled out brandishing a broken violin. The “ghost from the chimney, drawn out by Trigaud’» violin music, is viewed with surprise by Count Cagliostro. Not only was the mystery of the Demon’' solved, but the sought-after necklace was found hidden in the violin. But the aristocrats' terror was not ended. As Cag- liscro and Trigaud battled for possession of the dia- monds, a band of peasants from a nearby village broke in. The peasants captured the aristocrats, plan- ning murder. Their leader Gauroche (Ben Milligan) seized Cagliostro to force him to tell where the dia- monds were hidden. Trigaud, who had been upstairs when the peasants arrived, . . . used an optical illusion to appear like a ghost, and the terrified vil- lagers fled. Angry peasant» with murderous intention» make the aristocrats cower.

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c{f plaijA or steal props ranging from a common wastebasket to a large stuffed alligator. The make-up crew con- sisted of a group of students interested and skilled in the art of applying make-up. Different combina- tions of powders, rouges, eye shadows, and other cos- metics can create a wide variety of effects. Any age or condition possible in reality can also be artifically created. Mrs. Thomas's commercial art class helped the crews by making posters to advertise the plays. Several of the teachers donated their time and effort ro keeping the financial books of the ticket sales ac- curate. A string ensemble and Dennis Danitschek at the organ provided entertainment during intermis- sion. Without the actors a play could not be pre- sented, but wc must also sec that without the com- mittees who do the dirty work”, a show would never be given. These people deserve a lot of credit for the many hours of hard work they spend to make the show a big success. 'Even you boys get make-up, says Carol Ncwlon to Jim Miller. As the lights dim, George Slaughter ami Dave Neuman begin their job of creating the sound effects. Just one more dab of base will finish your make-up, says Sue Weinstock to Barb Kaminski. 29