Meadowbrook High School - Sceptre Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

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“Be very careful.” The Young Man (Barry Cook) explains to Grandma (Sandy Gilford) that what he said could not be the truth in the American Dream. “Why Me?” In The Zoo Story a frus- trated Peter (Bryan Tunnell) is con- fused about his new companion’s erratic behavior. Before Breakfast American Dream The Zoo Story 23

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Encore! Encore! (cont'd) uring the spring, the Drama department performed three one-act plays entitled “American Dream and other Delusions.” Over twenty-five hours of rehearsing were appre- ciated by three hundred fifty viewers. They gave four perfor- mances, three during the day to the English classes and another during the evening to the gener- al public. Before Breakfast, an ironic production, by Eugene O’Neill, starred one performer Shawn Stockwell as Mrs. Rowland. The play suggested the lack of communication in peoples lives. The audience observed Mrs. Rowland (alone on the stage) as she awoke before her husband, prepared breakfast and got ready to go to work. As she per- formed these chores she nagged her husband (in bedroom off stage) about his laziness and his unfaithfulness. During her de- No, it’s not to heavy. The Young Man (Barry Cook) takes Grandma’s pack- ages to the van. “Yes, quite good isn’t it.” In the Ameri- can Dream the Young Man (Barry Cook) explains his handsome features to Grandma (Sandy Gilford). nN Nm nunciations, gagging noises were heard from the bedroom. She gazed into the room and saw her husband with his throat cut from the razor he was hold- ing. A second play American Dream, was the climax of the three play series. The main characters included Daddy (Paul Haynes), Mommy (Cathy Cloud), Grandma (Sandy Gilford), the Young Man (Barry Cook) and Mrs. Barker (April Green). As Mr. Mingus stated “This play re- presented how people failed to communicate, love or show re- spect, honor or dignity. In addi- tion, they were denying those virtues upon which their society was founded.” In the play, Daddy, Mommy and Grandma lived together in a small meekly furnished apart- ment. Mommy and Daddy showed little respect to the old, but vivacious Grandma. They constantly threatened to call And Furthermore ... In Before Break- fast, Mrs. Rowland (Shawn Stockwell) nags her husband about his laziness and unfaithfulness. Before Breakfast American Dream The Zoo Story the “van man” and have her carted away to the old folks’ home. A misunderstanding arose when Ms. Barker and the Young Man arrived unexpecta- bly. No one but Grandma knew the reason for the Young Man’s visit. This comedy pointed out the absurdity of life when individ- ual roles were not understood. Drama student, Cathy Cloud reviewed the play’s success: “It was the first play which I was really a part of. Mr. Mingus did an excellent job of directing and the play came together very well.” The Zoo Story, an Edward Albee play was of a “different sort’. It drew the audience into the character’s emotional tur- moil. One sunny day Peter (Bryan Tunnell) was relaxing on a park bench when he was approached by Jerry (Rob Howe). Jerry joined Peter on the bench and they talked for a while, until, suddenly Jerry be- “Don’t do that!” Jerry (Rob Howe) ex- presses his anger towards Peter (Bryan Tunnell) over who has the right to sit on the Park Bench in The Zoo Story. came angry about having to share the bench. The argument turned into violence when a knife was introduced and Peter accidently killed Jerry. Jerry’s death left Peter and the audi- ence numb. All three plays focused on the loss of faith in traditional American values and the break- down of the ability to communi- cate. As i n most “dark com- edies,” there was humor in the tragedy of the characters’ in- ability to communicate. As the drama students “en- trance” into the world of the- atre was the drama classes’ in- troductory skills, the “‘exit”’ was the professional and personal theatrical expertise gained from their experience on the stage during their high school years. Cheers. The cast of the American Dream Ms. Barker (April Green), Dad- dy (Paul Haynes) Mommy (Cathy Cloud) and the Young Man (Barry Cook) enjoy a toast to a happy ending.

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On the town. In Washington D.C., Don- na Morris, Albert Vaughan, Dorse Tay- lor, David May, Mr. James Hensley, Lorena Hensley, Mark Tinsley, Ms. Sandie Silvestre, Mr. Dorse Taylor, Ka- ren Pilley, Dwight Rackley and Keith Simmons, pause on the front steps after their tour of the Library of Congress. “Casting off, Mates!” Embarking on a raft trip down the James River, Mr. B joins students for an adventurous after- noon, shooting the rapids. April in Paris On the European trip dur- ing Spring Break, Lesley Driver, Glenn Doane and Mrs. Linda Davidson enjoys the sights in spite of the cold weather. 24 Field Trips