Southeast Missouri State University - Sagamore Yearbook (Cape Girardeau, MO)

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Theatre in review The 1978-79 SEMSU University Theatre season once again provided students with a variety of productions designed for all interests. The audiences laughed at the comedy, was spellbound by the drama, cried at the tragedy, and sang along with the musical. The Ruling C lass was a satire on the British aristocracy. The play made fun of the British ruling class which preserved itself at any cost and got away with everything . . . including murder. Douglas Smith, who portrayed the main character, was supposed to be insane. At the beginning of the play he thought that he was Jesus Christ and he lived on love, but in the midst of all the other action he suddenly changed and believed that he was Jack the Ripper. As Jack the Ripper, he thrived on murder, all the while being protected by his family and his class. This production was directed by Dr. Jack Hensley. The second production. Vanities, cast only three people. Students chosen for these parts were Debbie Dawson, Peggy Dersch, and Tana Spinner. The play follows three women from high school through college and relates some comical escapades including cheerleader practice and sorority rush. The play then switches directions to comedy that comes more from the characters than from the situations. This production was directed by Dr. Larry Grisvard. H.M.S. Pinafore, the third production, was also directed by Dr. Grisvard, who is the head of the Speech Communication and Theatre Department. This play deals with two young lovers and the problems they encounter, and contains some familiar songs and characters. Its lively music was provided by the SEMSU University Music Department which utilized a full orchestra under the direction of Dr. Gordon Corwin. The final play of the season, Medea, was a Greek tragedy which was first written in the 5th century B.C. by the Greek playwrite Euripides. It was rewritten by the American poet Robinson Jeffers. The production was directed by Dr. Hens- ley. The story line features a woman who killed her children because of her husband ' s infidelity. One significant aspect of this play was that students took over major parts of produc- tion including costume design, technical directing, and light- ing design. 17

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Laura McGhee and Bryan Thoma ditcuts the intricate art of make-up design prior to their appearance in The Ruling Oats. Mike Lewis administers the finithing louche to Debbie Dawfon as she prepares for her rote as Kathy in Vanities. Top right. Vanities opened with an all female cast shown herei Tana Spinner. Debbie Dawson, and Peggy Dersch. Bottom right, Douglas Smith appeals to the audience as the teading charac- ter in The Ruling Class. 26

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Chinese basketball team visits Southeast Missouri by Karen Pol grove One of the highlights of the basketball Indian ' s year was the game against the Republic of China prior to regular sea- son play. An approximate 3,000 curious spectators sat in the Cape Central gymnasium to have an eyewitness account of the local international ballgame. It was the first game of this type ever played at SEMSU, although Athletic Director Russ Sloan hopes to make it an annual event. After the introduction of players and the playing of both national anthems, an exchange of momentos took place. The Yung-Kung Men ' s Basketball Team presented each Indian with a pin depicting the Republic of China ' s flag, the team ' s symb ol, name, and the date. In return the Indians gave pencil sketched basketball players and I ' m a pepper t-shirts to the players and SEMSU baseball caps to the coach, manager, secretary, and leader. The reaction of the spectators was interesting. Being loyal to the university was the first reaction of most, but as the game progressed the Republic of China won some of the fans over with their quick moves and scoring. Steve Tappmeyer, senior Indian, remarked that it was in- teresting playing them. We were told they didn ' t fully un- derstand some of the rules and they got away with a lot more than we did, he said, smiling. Freshman Anthony Thomas recalled his first college game as different. I was really looking forward to it. It was really hard to keep u with your man, you had to look at their numbers, he said, they ail looked alike. Huang Ling-Yuan and Yang Shuh-Yue, both SEMSU stu- dents, were among those in attendance. It was exciting for them to be here, Huang said. It ' s like having home a little closer. The Yung-Kung Men ' s Basketball Team is made up of young men who work for the Ret-Ser Engineering Agency in Taippi, Taiwan and was sponsored by the Universal Sports Accord in cooperation with the American Basketballl Association. Members of r ie Yung-Kung Men ' s Basketball Team include Kao Ling-Chung. Huang Ching-Hsing. Fang Tien-Kang. Liu Cheng-Hsing. Ma Ming- Yuan. Wang Chi-Hsien, Hwa Shou-Kwan, Chang Cheng-Yu. Shu Long-Shing. Lee Hai-Tou. Liu Ycn-Mou. Leader Yang Psi-Shen. Secretary Wang Hsi-Chien. Wang Shao- Hsing, Chen Chin-Lang. Yang Shuh-Yue ( eU) and Huang Ling- Yuan (right) having a good time watch- ing their fellow country men in action. The two SEMSU students were excited about the game. 28