Memphis State University - DeSoto Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

Page 32 text:

u of ihi Sk cimin % ?? pew The third annual Memphis Shakespeare Festival had as the production this year The Taming of the Shrew, pre- sented April 20-24. The festival had grown so that it became necessary to have six performances this year. The Taming of the Shrew is a play within a play. It revolves around players acting out the story of the taming of a shrewish girl named Katherine, who has given her father many headaches because of the way she treats all men who take an interest in her. As a result, she is unwed and it seems likely she will remain so. But one day a gentleman by the name of Petruchio comes to Padua, where he hears of Katherine. He proceeds to woo her but the events that take place during the courtship make this an outstanding show and an entertaining one. The cast for The Taming of the Shrew came from the MSC Student Body, from Southwestern and from Mem- phis as a whole. This is truly a civic production. Prof. Bradford White directed the production with Prof. Eugene Bence the technical director. Dr. Don Streeter serves as co-ordinator of the Festival. Prof. Ray Hill of Southwestern faculty portrayed Sly, while George Toutiatos, a MSC graduate who has recently completed a tour of duty with the Army in Germany, re- turned to take the role of Petruchio. And the role of Kath- erine was taken by Ann Brown Field, who has had considerable experience acti ng in Memphis Little Theatre productions. Others in the cast included Jim McDearmon, Vaughan Stimbert, Jere Joyner, Mike Long, George Fleisher, Mike Dalton, Mary Elizabeth Carlton, Bea Loob, Billie Farmer, John Jones, Marvin Smith, Allen Bates, Harry Fritzius, Wally Miller, Dennis Billingsley, Smoky Harwell, Carlton McFar- land, Hank Brint, Jim Moran, John Morgan, John Miller, Bill Petty, Roy McKee, Victor Atyas, Judy Livingston, Pat Bates and Martha Wallace. Page 28

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ZJke Ljlate VilU enaaerie 9 { The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams was the third production to trod the boards of the College Theater this season. The difficult job of casting and directing the production was masterfully executed by Eugene Bence. Under Mr. Bence ' s capable direction, the actors produced a show that will long be remembered as one of the best of the College Theater. The technical end v as nicely handled by the backstage crew under the capable direction of Bradford White. Harry Britzius is to be commended for his fine art work on the set. Peggy Clay pool as Amanda Wingfield, the mother, added another masterful job to her long list of outstanding performances. Tom Wingfield, the son, was given great understanding and expression by Allen Bates. Joan Smith, as the daughter, Laura Wingfield, turned in an outstanding portrayal to add to her other memorable performances. The Gentleman Caller was well handled by Wally Miller. These four students had a hard job of holding the audience at- tention for two hours and they did a magnificent job in doing so. The Staff Director Eugene Bence Technical Director Bradford White Art Work on Set Harry Fritzius Stage Manager Hank Brint Prompter Dorothy Fisher Lighting Technicians Johnnie Skinner, Judy Livingston, John Miller Sound Technician Marvin Smith Property Mistress Mary Liz Carlton Make-up Mike Long Costume Mistress Judy Livingston Stage Crew. Billie Farmer, Roy McKee, Don Wood, John Miller, John Morgan, Smoky Harwell Publicity Victor Atyas, Joan Hassell, Jeannine Bolton Box Office Nancy Shaw, Joan Hassell House Manager Martha Wallace At top picture Wally Miller and Joan Smith rehearse a scene. In center picture, Peggy Claypool talks to Allen Bates, while in lower picture Bates looks on while Joan Smith and Peggy Claypool make an observation. Page 27

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haki eStyecire an yp d th e a 7 evct •■■■■■ ; I-: ' .- 1 : The scene for the opera, The Marriage of Figaro was designed by students in the Dramatics Department. A scene from Romeo and Juliet, presented in 1953. The set was designed by Prof. Bradford White and the play directed by Prof. Eugene Bence. At left, the scrapboolc showing publicity given the Shakespearean Festival is observed by President Smith, Edward J. Meeman, editor of the Memphis Press-Scimitar; L. O. Dobson, president of Greater Memphis State, Inc., and William Marsh, assistant program director, Men, phis Adult Education Center. At right, Mrs. John McCall, president of the Coterie and, at right, Mrs. Charles Blackburn, chairman of the club ' s Festival project, and Dr. Don Streeter, pose with the Bard. The Coterie Club handled the ticket sales for the 1954 production.