Palo Alto High School - Madrono Yearbook (Palo Alto, CA)

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The Thespian Club This year appreciation is «lue the Thespian Oub for its installa- tion of the new stage equipment consisting of a system of pulleys to facilitate the moving of the scenery, and to the licLtcrnicnl Committee for the new draperies. These useful gifts, which have been needed so long on the stage, make it more systematic and give it a more effective appearance. The Thespian Club has also arranged a new plan for tryouts. Those wishing to try out are requested to prepare something original, and are then given time enough to give a total presenta- tion of their material. Formerly the candidate, after reciting only a few lines of a simple characterization, poem, or bit of nonsense, was clapped out. Membership depended to a great extent on the popularity of the candidate. 'Die new plan tends to overcome this injustice by giving the would-be Thespians a fair chance to show their dramatic ability and originality. “The Reel Thing” Dramatics have taken a more prominent place in our high school activities this year than ever before. The dramatic program has been somewhat different than in previous years. The Thespian Club, instead of giving the usual four-act play, decided to present three one-act plays in conjunction with some of the school enter- tainments. In addition to these and the annual Senior Class play, Mr. Nichols staged his comedy, “The Reel Thing.” for the purpose of securing money for the boys’ showers. 11 is happy selection of characters and his careful directing of the play resulted in a laugh- ing and very satisfied audience on the evening of May 6. The program will call to mind the play better than any criticism could. 1231

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to provide a greater sphere of opportunities, thereby enabling a larger number of students to take part. The Campanile, dramatics, and athletics could all he improved so as to attract and admit more students into their Work. Journalism and Printing One way in which many more pupils could be brought in contact with school interests is through the establishment of a class in jour nalisin. The Campanile would then be put out by the class in journalism under the supervision of the instructor and the Commis- sioner of Literary Activities. A greater number of students would thus gain a more intimate knowledge of what was happening in the student world. The Campanile, in turn, would benefit greatly by such administration, fnr the news would he snappier, and the material would he handled in a more business-like manner. Besides urging the organization of classes in journalism. The Cam- panile has been endeavoring to install in the school, presses for printing the paper, and for doing the school's job work. If a print shop were established, classes in printing could be given. More practical courses are needed in the school s curriculum, and printing, combined with journalism, would offer excellent opportunities. A student, having completed a course in printing, could step into a job in a press-room and earn good wages. The knowledge of English, especially spelling, punctuation, and structure, would be of much value. To students who have difficulty in learning English gram- mar and punctuation in the class-room, correct knowledge would come easily and naturally through handling type and seeing material laid out correctly. The printing classes, like the class in journalism, would be well informed in student body interests. By printi ng all tlic school's job work, the classes could save a large amount of money for the Board of Trustees—enough in a few years to pay for the cost of the plant. Physical Education The proper equipment for the Physical Education Department is one of the greatest needs of the school, and of this equipment the showers are most essential Most of the boys who work hard get up a sweat, get dirty and grimy, and then go hack to class in the same clothes they have been exercising in. If a systematic program were followed, so that every hoy could put on a suit, have a good vigorous workout, take a warm shower and dress, a splendid im- provement in the health of the school would result.

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The Cast of “The Reel Thing” Mrs. Smith, and a very nice lady at that................Peggy Lee Lorelei, her daughter, beautiful to be sure.......Elizabeth Leach Tom, her son, not yet omitted from ye college roster..Olin Hughes Abelard Smith, her husband, who later weareth strange raiment......................................Donald Alden Mrs. A her Crombie, formerly Mrs. Smith’s culinary, Nora, now head of the Syndicated Unions of Domestic Chefs...................................Hildegarde Tolman Mr. Fowler, and no banker surpassed! him............Charles Snyder Mr. Rathvon-Jones, an accidental millionaire, and a great villain not at all..............................Harry Todd Mrs. Rathvon-Jones, his far better half..............Sally Nyman Taxi Driver, who is seen but a moment being paid money ...........................................Elwyn Thomson James, the Rathvon-Jones' chauffeur, handsome.........Kline Jaggar Harold, the youthful heir-apparent to the Rathvon-Jones estate, who singeth once like a lark........Richard Shaw Aunt Lavinia. Mrs. Rathvon-Jones’ maiden sister, ye moral character in ye play........................Mary Thygeson Fireman, a very fine man...............................Lea Febiger Second Fireman (owing to ye high cost of players, to be imagined as outside guarding ye fire engine, the saving in salary to make one more hot gallon in ye showers)...........................................Ima Phantom The theme of the three Thespian plays was food. The interest of the first one, Fourteen.” centers about the humorous situations arising when Mrs. Pringle, a Fifth Avenue lady, gives a dinner party; the second, “Food.” is a take-off on high prices; and the third, Lima Leans,” is a domestic comedy. The casts of the plays were as follows: Fourteen Mrs. Pringle.....................................Doris Lausten Elaine, her daughter.............................Vdelaide Kelly Dunham, the butler.............................Elywn Thomson Food I rene...........................................Frances Boone Basil, her husband...............................W illis Clayton Harold, her old sweetheart..........................Lea Febiger Lima Beans The Wife.........................................Adelaide Kelly The Husband......................................Charles Snyder The Huckster...................................W illiam Stratton (241