Stephen F Austin State University - Stone Fort Yearbook (Nacogdoches, TX)

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Theatre productions - 27

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University News The musical - ' Hair opened the SFA theater season in October 1986. Cast members includ- ed: Bottom, left to right: Mark Anthony Pearson, Houston senior; Penny Byrd, Lufkin ju- nior; Miquel Wright, Longview freshman. Center, left to right: Jan Gleaves, Howe junior- Andy Long, Wharton senior. Taji Walker, Austin freshman. SFA performs Theatre department presents major works By: Frances Hinson SFA ' s Department of Theatre had two major works for 1986 in October and November. Thirty-two students appeared in the musical Hair some of whom comprised the Tribe (chorus]. The stage director was Alan Oster, lecturer of theatre, and the music director was John W. Goodall, instructor of music. The guest choreographer was Darlene Casanova of New York City. Hair is about George Berger, who has been thrown out of high school; Claude Hooper Bukowski, who is about to be drafted; Sheila, a protester from New York University; Woof, who has been barred from the Y.M.C.A.; and Hud. The rest of the Tribe scare tourists, protest at induction centers, sing in the streets and amuse Hair ' s audiences. Lead female singers included A.L. Robert- son, Tenaha senior; Robin Hicks, Houston ju- nior; and Taji Walker, Austin freshman. Leading the male singers were David Raine, Nacogdoches senior; John Hargrove, Houston freshman; Roderick Kelley and David Van Wert. The production was two ho urs of almost non-stop music such as The Age of Aquar- ius, Hair, Easy To Be Hard, Good Morining Sunshine and Let the Sun Shine In. Action took place not only on the stage, but on different levels above (on scaffolds and ladders), creating continual movement. To close the fall production season, the theatre department performed Look Home- ward Angel, a play by Ketti Frings based on an autobiography of the same name by Thom- as Wolfe. Dr. Herman L. Zillmer, professor of theatre directed the production, which ran Nov. 19 through 22 in Turner Auditorium. The play has earned the status of being a modern American classic. Look Homeward Angel tells the story of Eugune Gant (Wolfe) growing up in a home dominated by a money-hungry mother who runs a boarding house. The story centers around Eugene ' s struggle to find himself and his fight for freedom. SFA is one of the few schools that strongly emphasizes student productions as well as major department productions. 26 - Theatre productions

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A tradition of growth and change Stephen F. Austin State Univer- sity is located in Nacogdoches, Texas, a town referred to as the oldest town in Texas, and stands strong and beautiful after 64 years. Since being founded on September 18, 1923, SFA has become a university of strength, growth and change. Students, faculty, parents as well as other visitors are able to see its strength and beauty while driving down Vista Drive. While observing the campus, one will encounter the Austin Building, the first original structure, which houses the adminis- trative offices. Although the University was officially founded on September 18, 1923, the construction of the Austin Building was not yet completed, and classes were held elsewhere. Several classes were held at the Nacogdoches High School which is now the middle school. A wooden structure was also built on the campus and was known to some as the shack . The Austin Building was finally completed on May 1, 1924. The year 1924 brought on the con- struction of the first dorm, Wisely, and the Thomas J. Rusk Building. The main campus, which includes close to 400 acres, belonged to the homestead of the late Thomas J. Rusk. In 1936 the reconstruction of the original Stone Fort was completed. The Stone Fort now stands as a special landmark as well as a museum on the campus. Two years later, the Chemistry Building opened its doors to students. One can see the beauty and history in the buildings on the campus of SFA and understand the importance they have brought to this University. University Center Greg Patterson Musk Building Greg Patterson Stone Fort Museum Greg Patterson Stephen F. Austin Building 28 - A tradition of growth and change University Center Music Building Stone Fort Museum