San Marcos High School - Crown and Sceptre Yearbook (Santa Barbara, CA)

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new Student Director Triumphs With ' art Having its genesis in the mind of student director Shawn Rosenheim, a triumphant production of Paddy Chayevsky's Marty, starring Greg Williams and Amy Redding, opened to an intimate crowd on February 23 Marty, says Shawn, is a lonely New York butcher pressured by friends and family to fall in love. When he does, they are antagonistic toward him. He overcomes these pressures, however, and makes a choice. Marty says, 4'You see when two people get married they're going to spend fifty years together. So I figure it's just got to be more than if they're good looking. A pair of subplots add to this theme of change and broken ties. Martyis aunt has an inability to change her Old World traditions, and Marty's friends react adversely to his success with Clara. These themes are evident, but Shawn notes, lt's basically just a story, I don't want to over-symbolize. Though Shawn comments that Amy as Clara had possibly the hardest part,'i it was Greg Williams whose acting stood out. Rick Mokler, who contributed advice to Shawn during rehearsal, reportedly said, Greg did things very few high school actors can attempt. Denise Allen, Marilyn Osborn and Mimi Atkinson also added fine performancesg their emotion was real and willing suspension of disbelief' was not difficult. In directing and organizing Marty, Shawn managed to convince the administration and new theater arts director Marjorie Luke that he could handle the project - dramatically, technically, and financially. After the show, Director of Activities Cliff Purcell told Shawn that originally his concern was financially oriented, but when he saw the play he realized it was the learning experience that was paramount. Shawn emphasizes that the play was such a learning experience for him, too. I probably learned more from my actors than they did from me. I value the committment they made, and I want to thank Mrs. Luke especially for her time and patience. I-Ie went on to give thanks to Assistant Director Debbie Monnier and Ted Dolas, professional lighting designer.

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