Morton High School - Top Hat Yearbook (Hammond, IN)

Page 15 text:

SIDE-SHOW PERFORMANCE in the Cirque de Paris Carnival is rehearsed by Paul, the puppeteer, (Jim Grasha) as he chats with his unusual puppets. Carrot Top and Horrible Henry. ENTHRALLED BY CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE and impressed by the souvenirs, Lili (Laura Lundquist) discusses the possibility of ob¬ taining a job in the troupe with vendor Grobert (Dennis McGregor). ENGAGED IN DANCE, the Bluebird Girls (Jane Usinger, Anna Pol- ochak, Rosemary Biscan and Cheryl Tonkovich) and Roustabouts (Bob Wells, Mike Davey and Ed Sharpe) join in a lively flourish of executions in the Cirque de Paris. Schlegel (Mark Patai) directs attention toward his Carnival dancers as sad clown (Ron Zgunda) contemplates the excitement of performing in Paris.

Page 14 text:

Dramatic Season ' CarnivaT Dominates Excitement, anticipation and weeks of work for both the Theater and Music Departments were climaxed on the night of April 21 , 1969 , the date of the debut of the spring musical, CARNIVAL. The production, present¬ ed in the Morton auditorium, was the heart-warming story of a young, naive girl, Lili, who joins a lively car¬ nival. Through her experiences with Paul, a bitter, despondent puppeteer, she learns that there is more to life than just love and happiness, that hate and malevolence also exist in the world. In addition to CARNIVAL, the Top Hat Theatre presented three other productions and three one-act plays. Under the direction of Mr. Donn Edwards, as¬ piring thespians presented THE WIZARD OF OZ, TRUDI AND THE MINSTREL and CYRANO DE BERGERAC. Production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, sponsored by the Pi Epsilon Kappa Alpha Gamma Chapter, benefited Boys’ Town. The one-act plays, “Dust of the Road,” “Supressed Desires” and “Riders to the Sea” were presented on Jan. 18. Directed by stu¬ dents, they provided an opportunity to exhibit leader¬ ship, creativity, performing and directing techniques. CLUSTERING TOGETHER in the land oi the trolls, Bill Hopf, Jeff Payonk and David Keil secretly plan a conniving scheme for captur¬ ing the unselfish heart of Peter Pumperknickel. AFTER A FRIENDLY WELCOME to Oz, munchkins (P. Balog, R. Lynch, J. Stojan) become friends of Dorothy (K. Brewer) and Toto (R. Sharpe).

Page 16 text:

Unusual Activities Part of Student Life This year unusual circumstances added to the ever- changing student life. During the hot spring months the classrooms were uncomfortable and, in order to keep cool, the faculty discovered the solution— teaching classes outside or on the stairways. New and different ways of filling leisure time in school were introduced. Besides studying in the library during their lunch-studies, students went to the Com¬ mons where they could relax and play games of chess. Some went to the gymnasium and played ping-pong. Other pupils took a stroll in the open courtyard. Dur¬ ing the early fall a television was set up in the small auditorium so that students and faculty could watch the World Series during their free hours. Many assemblies were staged in the auditorium. Some contained vital information concerning health, careers and auto safety. Other assemblies were pre¬ sented to raise money while entertaining students. During Christmas time members of the Art Club constructed ornaments and set up a wooden framework for a tree. Located in the Student Commons, the large unique “tree” was supported on a huge sheet of card¬ board and consisted of evergreen branches, colorfully decorated ornaments and silver tinsel. CARDBOARD ORNAMENTS AND TINSEL are placed on the Student Commons Christmas tree by art student Mike Gralski. 12