McNeese State University - Log Yearbook (Lake Charles, LA)

Page 31 text:

The River Niger The setting of the play is a middle-class “Brownstone” apart- ment in present-day Harlem. The action takes place in the apartment and revolves around the Williams family, whose son has just been released from the United States Air Force. They have great expectations for him on his return, but as the play unfolds, the family discovers they have been misled by their son and are unwittingly drawn into a series of circumstances that heighten to an explosive peak when Jeff's old neighborhood “gang” begins appearing at the Williams’ door. Sometimes gentle, sometimes violent, “The River Niger’’ examines such issue s as the generation gap; other family rela- tionships; different lifestyles; and the trauma of social conflicts | am the River Niger! I came to the cloudy Mississippi Over keels of incomprehensible woe. | ran away to the Henry Hudson Under the sails of ragged hope. | am the River Niger. Transplanted to Harlem From the Harlem River Drive. March 2-3-4-5 CAST Johnny. Willams .anctseees se ees os eae Bill Brown Early 50’s — an alive Poet meettioiVilllamsis. occa oe ah deargen te Felisha Vincent Early 50’s — an embittered but happy woman Grandma Wilhemina Brown .............. Danielle Belson Age 83 — very alive, Mattie’s mother Dr Dudley: Stantonyereare: ee cree ee Dennis Aldridge Early 50’s — cynical, classic Jamaican, lover of poetry Jelf Williams cose tas aes ee Ent ten hh Ray Cormier Age 25 — Johnny's son, thoughtful, wild, a credit to his father Ann. aniderguildiaaess que cere acne cee Lisa Marie Malveaux Age 22 — strong Black South African girl, lover of quality MOB arae natant crit. ccna: cious Ronald Blanchard Age 24 — young Black leader of underlying beauty and integrity Gail Bienen ernie ace anmcn tomer Othelia Tezeno Mo’s girl — lovable, supportive spirit CHIPS TA eer ee eee ek eee Ray Ceasar Sexually perverted, a young fool Aleit ruta recent ete uaenne ea ot Terrone Fowlkes The closet homosexual, capable, determined, very young SKECLER “ica tte os keke Tas te ere ee ete Lanny Roy basically good, but hung on dope le Slaples es seca: ea. renee Police Officer Offstage Bass Playera tia eacew ns eee ee ee er Jay Ecker - h | S AH d S B e n A M C N S e S S P r O d U © { ] O n Events ° 23

Page 30 text:

22¢Events November 18-19-20 In the first act the author genially outlines the history of the town, which is Grover’s Corners, N.H., and something of the character of its citizens. Then he carries you into the houses of the Gibbs and Webb families, substantial homes containing substantial folks. You arrive at breakfast time and are carried through one entire day in the lives of these good people. The second act concerns the love affair between young George Gibbs and little Webb, and thus culminates in a moving wedding scene, which contains all those elements of poignant sorrow and abundant happiness that make for solemnity and impressiveness. In the third act we are led to the cemetery on the hill, where many of the townspeople we have come to know so well are patiently and smilingly awaiting not ‘judgment’ but greater understanding. Into their midst is led the bride, a little timid at first, a little wishful to go back to life, to live again with her memories. But she is shown how impossible, how futile it is to return. The past cannot be re-lived. Living people, humans, oc- cupied with their petty occupations and small thoughts, know little of true joy or happiness. Truth is to be found only in the future. “Y'know, the dead don’t stay interested in us living people for very long. Gradually, gradually, they let go hold of the earth — and the ambitions they had — and the pleasures they had — and the things they suffered — and the people they loved. They get weaned away from earth — that’s the way | put it, weaned away. Yes, they stay here while the earth-part of “em burns away, burns out, and all that time they slowly get indifferent to what’s goin’ on in Grover’s Corners. They’re waitin’. They're waitin’ for something they feel is comin’. Something important and great. Aren’t they waitin’ for the eternal part of them to come out — clear? Thornton Wilder

Page 32 text:

24 Events Who’s Who Bi Students CG: Janet Austin — Accounting major from Lake Charles, former SGA president, chairman of “LaBelle,” a member of the Accounting Society and served on various university committees. Lynne Ann Belair — a Medical Technology major from Jennings; She is a member of The Greater Lake Charles Society of Medical Technologists, treasurer for the Pre-Med Society, recipient of The Joy Holm Memorial and T. H. Harris Scholarships. Mary Veronica Berken — An Agri-Business major from Jennings, a member of Delta tau Alpha, president of the Agronomy Club, SUB, RSA, Brock and Bridle Club, and T. H. Harris Scholarship recipient. Richard Joseph Berken — an Agri-Business major from Lake Arthur, president of Delta tau Alpha and Council of Agriculture, a member of the Brock and Bridle Club, and Agronomy Club. Kathryn Ann Broussard — an Agri-Business major from Vinton. She is active in Delta tau Alpha, Agriculture Honor Society, and Epsilon Alpha Epsilon. Mark Anthony Broussard — a Pre-Dental major from Sulphur. He is president of the pre- Med Society, a member of the French Club, and Blue Key National Honor Fraternity. Dianne Carnahan — an Agri-Business major from Longville, president of the Brock and Bri- dle Club, a member of the Agronomy Club, Delta tau Alpha, and the Agriculture Council. John Matthew Chenet — Accounting major from Lake Charles; He is SGA president, Vice-president of the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity, treasurer of Kappa Sigma, a rieriser of the Student Advisory Council, a Conoco and Board of Trustees Scholarship recipient, and has served on various university committees. Janice Marie Daigle — a Nursing major from Baton Rouge, MSNA treasurer, a member of the McNeese Student Nurses Association, and a Jewel M. LeCave Nursing Scholarship recipient. Joseph Steven Easton — an Agronomy major from Jennings, president of DTA, also a member of the Agronomy Club and Brock and Bridle Club. Dale E. Gauthreaux — a Speech major from Lake Charles, president of Alpha Psi Omega, a member of the Baptist Student Union, Debate Team, and Student Government Association. John Anthony Glynn — Educational Psychology major from Lake Charles, member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Blue Key National Honor Fraternity, Student Director. Patricia Ann Granger — Home Economics Major from Lake Charles, vice-president of Kappa Omicron Phi, and a member of AHEA. Mary Elizabeth Grosze — History Major from Lake Charles, member of Catholic Student Center, News Editor for the Contraband ( Spring, 1980). Mary S. Hardt — ‘Engineering Major from Lake Charles, member of American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AlChe), Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Mu Epsilon (Math Fraternity). Lori Lynn Hauskins — Pre-Dentistry Major, member of Chi Omega, also Epsilon Alpha Ep- silon, MSU Sailing Club. Dea Theresa Zeringue Haynie — Home Economics major, member of Home Economics Professional Honorary Sorority. Steven Hale Hebert — Sociology major from Jennings LA., member of American Harp Society, Band, Choir, and Orchestra. From left to right: Billy White, Maia Hardt, Jodi Niciday Mark Reena Pamela Sea Eva Pettefer, John Chenet, and d Jay , Glynn. z gs i Ten left to right: Steven Hebert, Richard Berken, Hemmings, Patricia Granger, Lori Carter, Louis Landr Kathryn Broussard, Allison Peltz, Lori Hauskins, and Mar Berken. 7 4% po eee