Sanderson High School - Lakonikos Yearbook (Raleigh, NC)

Page 35 text:

There is little disagreement that Sanderson has always had more than its share of talented students. In particular, both the drama and music departments have been repeatedly acclaimed for their efforts despite various problems they have been forced to cope with. These problems, however, do not ex- clusively concern such ordinary dilemmas as the lack of partic- ipation, a screeching soprano or clarinet, or an uninspiring actress. The biggest problems can be traced to the lack of proper facilities. What would a drama perform- ance be like if the actors were allowed to rehearse on a stage instead of being forced into the halls by a girl's gymnastics meet? If Tennessee Williams were not instantly transformed to Edgar Rice Burroughs by a jungle of parallel bars and balance beams? If the per- formers did not have to raise their voices to the decibel level of a sonic boom to be heard? If the dressing room didn't resemble a tinker toy contraption of elbows and legs, whose owners are involved in a frantic Search for props? Will Sanderson ever witness the quality of musical perform- ance where performers aren't constantly treated to rever- berations of notes they had sung or played. 31

Page 34 text:

ALL THE WQRLDS GYM ATQRIUM - , 3235 gf mf' M, ,A , ,F wh 2 f W v V- if .rs Nw 30

Page 36 text:

two measures before? Where I an entire performance can take place without a single per- former fainting on the scene? Where the chorus and orchestra members can spend the energy presently used for setting up the gymnatorium to do some- thing constructive like straighten their bowties and tune their oboes. The gymnatorium-to the performers and department heads, it is spelled with four letters. To the majority of the student body, it means foul lines and popcorn. To Conrad Hooper and the school board, it means the only acceptable alternative to the obvious solution to all this lamenting-an auditorium. According to Mr. Hooper, Super- intendent of Raleigh Public Who knows, if we had the facilities like we have the talent, we could do musicals, dramas, comedies . . . Ruth Honer Schools, the reason for such lack of proper facilities is as simple as the affliction of the economy today, lack of money. However, in the manner accustomed to men of influence, Mr. Hooper does not in any way rule out the possibility of an auditorium at Sanderson. At present, its construction is in the building program pro- jection, and its approval is contingent upon the decisions of the County Commissioners, the same group which dir! not allocate the funds for .in auditorium at the time Sanderson was built with the distinction of being the largest school 32