Loras College - Purgold Yearbook (Dubuque, IA)

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7 A 2 ae Hi E SE

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e NS This is how the Leras stage appeared before the remodeling was done to accommodate the Dubuque centennial pageant, Hid Battlements, in 1938. A few years ago the auditorium was completely restyled. DEDICATION ач Бон is е word. As it takes letters to make the word, it takes peo i i erc people to give life It has been fifty years since the Loras Col- lege Players began the tradition which has become So much a part of our campus. In fifty years, four men have contributed their best in making the name of Loras Col- lege Players synonymous with excellence. Seeking the highest standards of the theatre, these men have guided the dramatic pro- ductions to their successful conclusions, giving the members of the college something of which they could be consistently proud. These men, with the charity of those who donated their time and talents, have made it their duty to bring the finest of drama to life on the stage of St. Joseph's Auditorium. The words of Shakespeare, Shaw or Thornton Wilder can mean nothing to the play-goer unless there are actors to speak them, and directors to shape the movement and sound into meaning. The Rev. I. J. Semper shepherded the players into their new home when St. Joseph's Audi- torium was opened in 1910. But it wasn't until the Rev. E. J. O'Hagen became director that women appeared on the Loras stage, and new scenery was built for individual produc- tions. The Rev. G. A. Stemm introduced the use of flexible lighting to the Loras campus and also produced the spectacular Dubuque centennial pageant, Hid Batilements, writien by the Rev. James J. Donohue. The culmination of these contributions, since each has lent its impression on the following productions, has been seen in our own day. The Rev. Karl G. Schroeder has assimilated the lessons of the past and introduced his own idea of what college theater should be, with his biennial Shakespearian production, the latest from Broadway and the famous spring musical, all brushed up and freshened with the latest lighting equipment and staging tech- niques. The progress has been steady and monumental. The old members might not recognize St. Joseph's stage for it has come a long way since the above picture was taken but they would certainly recognize the same spirit of dedication which has kept the Players alive for fifty years. So we would like to thank them, not only for the opportunity they have presented to the student audiences for broadening their knowledge of the world of letters and dramatic art, but also for the students who have worked on the stage and back in the wings and are so much richer for their first-hand knowledge of what co-operation can accomplish. There is no way of adequately saying thank you and happy golden anniversary. The stu- dents can only offer this book in partial ful- fillment of their appreciation and debt.

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