Wichita State University - Parnassus Yearbook (Wichita, KS)

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Starring the University Players Stagehands, prompters, publicity directors, actors, actresses, and vvardrope directorseall are found in the membership of the University Players. Not an organization exclusively for stars, but one for all the forces behind the scenes and the supporting players as vvell, the Players sponsor all University dramatic presentations. With Cieorge D. Wilmer, director of the dramatic productions, as sponsor, and Ferd Evans as president, the Players had another outstanding year, giving such vvell-known plays as UCur Town, ul-ler Master's Voice and Death Talces a l-lolidayf' Eighteen theater hopefuls were pledged to the Players in Qctotner. They were Mary Jayne Brennan, Jacl4 Coleman, Charles Dunn, Alma Louise Gray, Beth l-lattan, Fred Fligginson, l-lope l-linlcle, Jacqueline Murphey, Russell Nelson, Fred Partridge, Bulah Svvartz, Kathryn VanDusen, Max Windmiller, and Joe Redmond. Ethel Jane Meyers vvas elected president, and Alma Louise Gray secretary of the pledge group. All '18 were initiated April 7, at the home of Ferd Evans. OFFICERS Ferd Evans .... .............. ......... P r esident Max Feldner ..... ........ V ice-President Virginia Russell. . . .... Secretary-Treasurer George D. Wilner. . ............ Sponsor At left are: Charles Dunn, Ferd Evans, James Gould, Beth Hattan, Joe l'lesse, Dorothy Perry, Mary Jayne Brennan, Jack Coleman, Max Feldner, Alma Louise Gray, Fred l-ligginson, l-lope l-linlcle, Kathleen Flitchner, Jane Jones, Jacqueline Murphey, EthelJane Meyers, Russell Nelson,Malcolm Nichol- son, Fred Partridge, Virginia Russell, Gene Setzer, Bulah Swartz, and Kathryn VanDusen. Not pictured: Dwight McKab- ney, Joe Redmond, Charles Sherman, and Max Windmiller.

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IIE Df6lTIdl'lC 5265011 stolen from these veteran campus actors by a new- comer, Roberta Newell McGinnis, who played HAunt Min,H a middle-aged woman who decided Queena was being mistreated and must Hget away from it allf' from the start of Queenafs Hvacationn through the hilarious sleeping porch episode at the end, the audiences enjoyed it hugely. ln exchange for the comedy sent to the Jayhawk hilltop, University of Kansas players, April 5, presented in our Auditorium ul-loliday,', a play in three acts by Phillip Barry. . . The plot revolved around a mild triangle consisting of two sisters in a wealthy and socially significant family, and a very nice young man. Martha Alice l-lorner who played the young man's slightly disdainful fiancee, Reola Durand as her vivacious sister, and Conrad Voell4er, as the young man himself, showed excellent acting ability, but the characters of the Potters, good- natured but slightly slap-happy friends of the sisters, and ulNled Setonf, nonchalant brother, proved to be real scene snatchers. Drawing a most successful dramatic season to a close, the University players appeared in Death lakes a l-loliday,H April T8-QO. . . Based on the idea that Death comes to earth for three days during which time he suspends all activities, the lead role of Prince Sirldi' or 'Deathn was played by the capable actor Gene Setzer. Miss Gray again appeared in the leading feminine role as HGrazia, Deathfs earthly sweetheart, and exhibited an abundance of stage presence and poise. As the slender, blase uAlda,', Miss Myers gave an excel- lent performance as did Beth l-lattan as the sweet and fair Hprincessf' With these exceptionally fine student productions, professor Wilmer again proved to Wichita audiences his outstanding ability not only as a director of others, but also as an actor. l-lelping to malce the plays the successes they were, was slcilled Stage Manager Eugene Spangler, and his student assistants.

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Cmega Upsilon Pictured above are: Margot Cloutier, Marjorie Krueger, Sue Cope, Vera Ellis, Barbara l'ladler, Joan l'lurst, Wanda Mull4ey, Lena Mae Nyberg, Cheryl Strait, Claudine Whaley, and lris Wolfe. Members initiated into Qmega Upsilon the First semester vvere: Lena Mae Nyberg, Wanda Mullqey, and Bette Spenser. Those initiated the second semester vvere: Barbara Lee l-ladler, Cheryl Strait, and lris Wolfe. Zeta chapter of Qmega Upsilon, national honorary dramatics sorority, vvas established at the University in 1914, its purpose to stimulate interest in dramatics both on the campus and Within the city. A one act play contest is the annual campus project of the local group. The contest vvas held April Q5 and 26. No member oi Qmega may participate in the productions either by acting or directing. Qnly those who have not participated in more than one production under the auspices of the University are eligible to act in the contest plays. The plays are limited to between 'l5 and 45 minutes, may be royalty or non-royalty plays, and must have the approval of Qmega and a represen- tative oi the Student Activities Committee. Qther activities include a formal Christmas dance, Founders' dinner, and Mother's Day dinner. Members initiated into Qmega Llpsilon this year are: Lena Mae Nyberg, Wanda Mull4ey, Bette Spenser, Barbara Lee l-ladler, Cheryl Strait, and lris Wolfe. Essie Marie Graham, assistant professor oi history, is the sponsor. OFFICERS Margo Cloutier ................. Vera Ellis ..... Sue Cope ....... Virginia Shuler .......... Joan Hurst ............... Sue Cope and Joan l-lurst .... .....l3resident Vice-President . . . . .Secretary . . ...Treasurer .....l2ush Captain .....l9ublicity