St Francis College - Franciscan Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

Page 24 text:

WORK HARD Would you believe ... a birthday party? Brother Anthelm Drowne, O.S.F., Moderator of the Troupers and per¬ former in Room 706. The dramatic organization of Saint Francis College has completed another successful year. The activities were initiated at the Freshman Smoker with a presentation of Jean Kerr’s short play, John Browns Body. Though a major production was not scheduled for the Fall, the Troupers used that term for enlarging their repertory by undertaking a closed production of Eugene O’Neill’s lie. The Troupers also sponsored two “happenings” early in March. The evening began with a production of Mr. Michael Kirby’s happening titled Room 706 which, oddly enough, was staged in Room 706. For those who know not the term “happening,” Room 706 was a demonstration in this relatively new art form by the authority in the field. Consequently, it drew an audience of avant-garde artists from far away Manhattan as well as the usual culture-conscious group of students and friends of Saint Francis. For the second half of the program the audience was invited to stand in a misty rain in the parking lot to watch and take part in Fireworks, a first time effort in “happenings” by Paul Ferlazzo, president of the Troupers. Within a week of these productions, tryouts were held and the ground¬ work was laid for the major production in April of Sidney Kingsley’s Detective Story. Mr. John Clifford, in his second year with the Troupers, directed this starkly realistic play of powerful dramatic impact. Though the original plan of renting a theater for this production was never realized, the diligen t co¬ operation and combined efforts of moderator, director, actors, and stage technicians overcame the challenges of the lecture hall. 20

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TROUPERS Mr. Kirby points the way in Room 706. Mr. John Clifford, Instructor of Speech and director of Detective Story. Mr. Clifford points another way in Detective Story rehearsal for Dan Clancy, Ray Sullivan and Joe Campanero. 19

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TO PLAY WELL Paul Ferlazzo, President of the Troup¬ ers and author of Fireworks. Mr. Michael Kirby, Instructor of Speech and author of Hap¬ penings. Vic Barranca tells the Troupers how to act in front of Brother Anthelm. Maureen Lynch, Paul Ferlazzo and Tom Laquercia listen as Mike talks to mike in John Brown’s Body.