Southeast High School - Shield Yearbook (Lincoln, NE)

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Big brother is watching Time in the future where the unexpected comes magine a society ruled by one person capable of controlling everone's emotions from facial expres- sions to thoughts. Imagine children turning their parents over to the govem- ment on charges of disloyalty to the state. The fall play, lQ84 , dealt with such a society in its performances. Life in lQ84 was completely con- trolled by a dictator known as Big Brother. The government encouraged people to be suspicious of each other and to hate anything or anyone who was billed as an enemy. The only person that the population was al- lowed show love for was Big Brother, and then it was mandatory. Citizens were told to believe slogans present- ed to them by the government such as, 'Freedom ls Slavery , t'War ls Peace , and ignorance ls Strength. The play told the story of one man, Winston Smith, played by Reese Pur- sell, and a woman, Julia, portrayed by Anne Read who defied the system by loving each other, getting married. and reading a forbidden book written by one of Big Brother's enemies that old of how life was in the past when freedom still existed Deceived by O'Br'ian, played by Todd Petr, a high ranking government of- ficial whom they thought to be a friend of theirs also against Big Brother, Julia and Winston were arrested and put into prison. There, they were forced to believe completely inthe government and eventually denounced each other when exposed to their greatest fear by prison authorities. They were given the choice of either accusing the other, or being forced to face what they detested the most. Released from prison both had become a normal member of the population, loving Big Brother and having the utmost faith in the government's every word Most of the cast said that it was different to play and that it was difficult to adjust to their characters. Petr said lt was hard to get into my character because the feelings and emotions were different. Pursell said nl had to use the emo- tions that I didn't even lmow I had Winston Smith took the most work l've done in a single play. Read commented uThe play had more of a significance. lt left such a message and had a dismal view of society. There wasn't much fun in it. 'A l984 had an impact on the future and where it will go. Read said she didn't think it would happen in her lifetime. 'Something could happen in a long time but not to the extent to that of the freedom cut. lt's not a pleasant thought. Petr said 'Alt was a thought- provocative play. Pursell said 'Alf the play was a suc- cess, it was because of everybody working together. There was no one single person who was the best. lt was a group effort.' PRE-PLAY RELAXATION and concentration help the actors get ready to go on stage. REESE PURSELL AND ANNE READ meet with upper party member Todd Petr to conspire against the government. 20 Fall Play

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'lBye Bye Birdie a biggie Fall musical, based on Elvis, entertains large crowds he music of early rock 'n roll, stories of teenage romance and wails of worried parents were heard in the auditorium Dec. 2, 3, and 4 with the opening of the musical production of Bye Bye Birdie . The story dealt with an Elvis-Presley- like singer and teen idol named Con- rad Birdie joining the army and his manager Albert Peterson and secre tary Rose Alvarez setting up Birdie's last kiss to a fan on national television. The story followed Peterson's attempts to set up the kiss as quickly and smooth- ly as possible despite being faced with problems ranging from unco- operative parents to pressing reporters, Alvarez's attemps to get Peterson to Alvarez's attempts to get Peterson to marry her, and every teenager within sight's attempts to see Birdie in person. 'Bye Bye Birdie took place for a majority of the time in a small town named Sweetapple, Ohio where the chosen fan, Kim MacAffee lived. ber and ran from 7 to 9 p.m. on week- days and l to o p.m. on weekends. First emphasis was put on learning songs with acting rehearsal beginning about a week later. Senior Rosemary Malek who played Alvarez said We had a lot of long hours but knowing we did.n't have much time made them very productive. lt really came to- gether fast in the end: l was amazed! The musical featured rock 'n roll as was featured in the lQ5O's and was the first musical to be open to anyone in the school to try out ior. 'tlt was a fun show because of the timing, said senior Paul Dunn. The music was easy and fun to do. To play the background music for the singers was a small pit orchestra and piano accompanist. Orchestra member Tim Javorski commented l enjoyed being in the pit orchestra because it was something new, and l'd never played backup in a musical before. Cast reheasals began in early Novem- Fung..- F D U A I I ing' l.g' P 1' n' ' F 1 l..' 1 Q' AFTER LOSING HIS GIRLFRIEND to teen-idol Conrad Birdie, senior Kevin Cowan is surround- ed by concerned parents and friends. THE HUSBAND AND WIFE team of senior Deb Kuhn and senior Mike Rosileus dip to the dancing music of 'lBye, Bye Birdie . 22 Musical