Myers Park High School - Mustang Yearbook (Charlotte, NC)

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of Hill House Mr. Sizer, director, along with Mr. Browne, scenic designer, Mr. Mims, orchestra director, and Mr. Cron- stedt, choral advisor, gave their in- valuable support towards another memorable production. Two organizations in the drama de- partment serve to stimulate and strengthen the appreciation of the dramatic arts of Myers Park. Those persons who are genuinely interested in theatrical work may join the Limelighters, a club which is open to all students. It is designed to further the understanding of all phases of drama, as well as to allow participation in stage productions. After acquiring a minimum number of points by working and acting in all phases of drama, students are in- vited to join the National Thespian Society. The selected few in the Thespians have strived to perfect dramatics. The Haunting of Hill House, presented in February, was a three-act play given in the arena. All stage directing and set-building was done by the members themselves along with the aid of Mr. Elmore. Centered under the spotlight is the six-piece combo which performed for the students at- tending the Talent Show. These skilled musicians are members of the National Music Honor Society and are accomplished in their instrumental fields. Each participant in the Talent Show joins on stage for the grand finale number, “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Performances ranged from singing and dancing to a character portrayal and pantomime skits. The Thespians and Lime- lighters were co-sponsors of the show. Reappearing in this way, the entertainers refresh the memories of the audience. Surrounded by the audience, the Thespians portray the complex and psychic characters which appear in the HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE. Frank Wright and Susan Watson, foreground, deliberate over the strange events of the former night as Gray Payne and Blair Josephs listen. Stan Hubbard, president of the Thespians, sits backstage with Blair Josephs, secre- tary, and Pam Hawkins, vice-president. 25

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Thespians act in the round and produce Haunting W r,. g mJ, ■ «- [t JS Ite; 1 V One of the most amusing parts of the senior class play, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, is when Carlisle Landreth accompanies ballet dancer, Pam Hawkins, with his xylophone. Th e play depicts the everyday life of a family, each of its members having varied interests. There are many funny and heart-warming scenes in this first play of the year. The stage in the auditorium is a maze of lights, props, and costumes where dramatic classes and mem- bers of the drama club rehearse be- fore rows of empty seats until the real production is given. Countless hours of building sets and memoriz- ing lines are well worth the effort, for there is always satisfaction guar- anteed in the various theatrical works of the drama department. Seniors sponsored You Can’t Take It With You, a comical play which helped to raise money for the class figt. Both the Thespians and the Limelighters, along with the student council sponsored the Talent Show. Students enjoyed the show so much — many attending twice — that a fourth presentation was necessary. Effective lighting and scenery en- hanced the variety of talent dis- played. After auditions were completed and the cast was chosen, plans for Annie Get Your Gun, the yearly musical comedy given in May, got under way. Any student was eli- gible to try for a part. Following the script until her stage cue comes is one lone actress. Susan Watson plays the duchess in the senior class play. “This really isn’t as funny as it looks,” says solemn-faced Richard Casanova. Working to get the right techniques with make-up takes practice, as students in dramatics classes have learned. Not everyone is lucky enough to be painted as a clown. 24

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Key Club Officers: V.P. Dick Babcock, Treas. Fred McPhail, Sec. Alan Speir, and Pres. Van Smith. Five Key Club members, caught off guard, complete their skits as RIGHT, other members prepare to mutilate their villain, Project number one of the Key Club this year was helping with barbeque delivery. During the football season, the club presented skits at all pep rallies and bought corsages for the cheerleaders. As in the past, the Key Club Directory was given to all stu- dents, free of charge before Christ- mas. The directory is completely financed through advertisements gathered by the members. Hard work and midnight hours are behind each annual edition. Also, at Christmas, the club helped a needy family. a symbol of the Mustang’s coming foot ' ball victory. In the spring, another project of the Key Club was the 1965 Key Club State Convention, held March 12-14 at the Queen Charlotte Hotel. Since they were the host club, the mem- bers themselves worked together and handled all correspondence, registra- tion, and financial matters. Five committees, headed by Chairman Van Smith, were created to handle the project. The club expected ap- proximately 800 Key Clubbers and Kiwanians club members from the two Carolinas to attend the conven- tion. Key Club hosts State Convention Steve Hope and Charlie Baker talk to Radio Station WGIV president, Mr. Francis Fitz- gerald, about the prospect of buying an ad for the Key Club Directory. All Key Club mem- bers were responsible for collecting a certain number of ads. Alan Speir picks the prettiest chrysan- themum for Sally Burgess. The Key Club bought flowers for all cheerleaders. 26