Radford University - Beehive Yearbook (Radford, VA)

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.• fait »nd Publications Eighty dancers joined together to raise $8,445 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Karen Lewis and MDA poster child Eric Gerende watch as RU students make a little magic for Jerry’s kids. Cindy Thomas (middle) enjoys a few laughs with her friends as they watch the crazy antics of the dancers. MDA Dance Marathon 13

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Making some magic for Jerry's kids c c X X £ ■c c « c c x E £ During a break from the longest dance of the year, this student won the chance to cream Dave Anderson, director of Residential Life, with a gooey pie. To keep on dancin’, this student wears the com fi eat clothes around — ragged tennis shoes, a T-shirt and shorts. Information and Publications If only the walls of Heth Ballroom could talk, what stories they could tell. Of flashing lights, rocking music and sweating dancers. Everything is quiet now. The brown tiled floor is bare. The chandelier is still. The walls are back to their peaceful, pale color. But it didn’t always look this way. For 28 hours, from March 27-28, the Ballroom was transformed into a room bursting with brightly-colored streamers, shimmery Greek letters and bold Uncle Sam posters proclaiming the fight against muscular dystrophy. With determination in their hearts and tennis shoes on their feet, 80 dancers stepped out onto the dance floor to make a little magic. And, make a little magic they did. $8,445 worth. But the Muscujar Dystrophy Association Superdance was more than just a dance. It was a fun-filled, wild-and-crazy event. When the dancers weren’t dancing, they were bidding to throw a pie at some lucky nerson; trying to become tne best at rolling toilet paper; dribbling ice cream down their faces as they attempted to eat the gooey stuff while blind-folded; learning how to belly dance; determining who had the hairiest chest; and working their jaws to a frenzy while trying to blow enormous bubbles. When they were dancing, amidst hand-painted posters encouraging them to “Keep Going,” they discoed, gyrated and did just about everything imaginable to the popular sounds of “After Six” and the “Communicators . In the afternoon they danced the day away as David Lee Michaels of radio K92 and Gary Moore spun Top 40 hits while they chattered away in DJ lingo. For spectators the MDA Superdance was as much fun to watch as it was to participate in. If they checked in from time-to-time, they could see their friends go from jeans and tennis shoes to shorts and barefeet as time danced on. They could also see everything from striped hats to punk sunglasses to wild Molly Hatchet T-shirts. For both spectators and participants alike, the best part of this super weekend was the formation of a long “people chain,” led by MDA poster children Eric Gerende and Rhonda Atkins, which wound and whirled itself around the campus. The most touching highlight of all, however, came when Cathy Sutton, Superdance chairman, read a telegram from Jerry Lewis expressing his regrets for not being able to attend, but saying he was there in spirit. On that note of encouragement, the dancers were able to finish that magical weekend in spite of weary bodies and aching feet. When it was all over — the last poster torn down, the last remnant of a streamer swept away — Sutton was proud, proud of the Superdance and, more importantly, proud of the dancers themselves. Said Sutton: “I was so happy to see enthusiasm throughout the dance. The dancers worked long hard hours to raise over $8,000, and I’m so proud of each dancer. The Superdance, to me, became one big super party, and I believe that, through various comments I’ve received, the dancers felt this way also.” And the walls? Well, if they could talk what stories they could tell as they peacefully await for Superdance ’82 in hopes that it’ll bring even more money for Jerry’s Kids. 12 Student Life

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Starring-John Amos Spring usually brings it the beast in students, out after months of hibernation from old man winter and his bone-chilling winds. So, instead of filling the warm air with their primal screams, students could live out their native urgings and still get a bit of culture when the Radford University Theater brought a bit of the primitive jungles to the stage with Eugene 0' Neill’s play, “The Emperor Jones.” Directed by Dr. James Hawes, the production was highlighted by a special performance. In keeping with the tradition of bringing a professional actor or actress to the school so that budding actors can perform with a professional, Hawes supplied a well-known actor to play the leading role. John Amos, best known for his roles as Kunte Kinte in “Roots and as ny V “Good Times,” graced the stage in Porterfield Theater. As the overthrown emperor who must flee from his people as well as his past, Amos was an asset to the play. His booming voice and hulking presence filled the stage like a rampaging bull. From beginning to end his acting capabilities were put to a test of endurance, which he carried off successfully. The play combined many things which helped to make it a visual success. Scenery, made with much care and planning, transformed a bare stage into the deep, dark jungles of the West Indies. Costumes and lighting effects further elevated the audience to a higher plane of participation. With so much visually seducing the audience, the production proved to be an evening worth remembering. ,’ostuming, elaborate scenery ind make-up as well as student alent added to the success of he spring theater presenta-ion, Eugene O’Nem’s The Smpcror Jones.” Information and Publications John Amos, well-known for his role in “Good Times”, displays his talent in the leading role of an emperor who must escape from his past as well as his people. 14 Student Life