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

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Great Entertainment derlying social commentaries are set in the context of a delightful and evocative score. Michele Martin from the Music Department joined forces with the Theatre Department to direct this spectacular produc- tion. During the production of Three- penny Opera, a Forty-fifth Anniver- sary Reception was held with a The- atre History Exhibit in the lobby displaying memorabilia from the Margery Wilson years to current pro- ductions. Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, another Pulitzer Prize winning play, closed the season, playing to full houses every night. This powerful play is one of Tennessee Williams’ greatest — a delicately wrought exercise in human communication. By desper- ately avoiding the truths around them, the characters try to escape the loneliness of their private lives. As the expression of a point of view about life, the play is limpid and ef- fortless — as theatre, it is superb! Dan A. Plato, Acting Director of The- atre, directed this outstanding pro- duction. A second Theatre History Exhibit was on display during Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, featuring plays that have become American Clas- SICS. With the close of the 1984-85 sea- son, the long-awaited awards were presented at the Drama Awards Banquet. Outstanding Performance Awards were presented to Riki Plai- sance for his role as Kit Carson in The Time Of Your Life and Kathleen McCall for her performance as Mrs. Continued Plays 33

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In The Threepenny Opera, Crookfinger Jake (John Barbry) has a hearty laugh in response to a threat of arrest. (Photo by G. Edwards) Maggie (Sherri Phillips) is consoled by Mae (Joanna Dunlap) and Gooper (Riki Plai- sance) after learning the disgruntling news about her lover in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. (Photo by G. Edwards) Amelia Earhart, portrayed by Sherri Phil- lips, is scolded by Correspondent, played by Brett Downer in Shelley Fitze’s play, Daughters of Heaven. (Photo by G. Little) 32 Student Life

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Great Entertainment Peachum in The Threepenny Opera. Cat On A Hot Tin Roof garnered four acting awards, including Outstand- ing Performance Awards for Sherri Phillips as Maggie and Charlotte Loftin as Big Mama. Most Promising Acting Awards went to Joanna Dun- lap as Mae and John Prince as Brick. Other Most Promising Acting Awards went to Tony Ryan for his role as Filch in The Threepenny Op- era and Colleen Hogan as Mary in The Time Of Your Life. Awards for excellence in Techni- cal Theatre went to John Brown, Phyllis Gain, Lisa Price, and Lori Vaughn. Rookie Tech Awards were presented to Stacy Davis, Karla Ja- 34 Student Life cobi, Charles McNeely, Ron Davis, Kim Hinson, and Mike Junkroski. Special recognition was given to Pete Sill for technical work on stu- dent-directed one-act plays. Outstanding One-Act Perfor- mance Awards went to Colleen Ho- gan and Tony Ryan with Mona Ben- nett, Leigh Bordelon, Marsha Mont- gomery, and Charles McNeely named for Outstanding Rookie Per- formances. The All-Around Theatre Achieve- ment Award went to Lori Vaughn who has worked in every phase of theatre during the year, including performance onstage and technical work.