March 4, 1977
HIGH LIFE
Page 5
Theater
"Beyond the Green Door”
by Anne Smallwood
Recently it was brought to my
attention that, for the most part,
Grimsley students are unaware of
the mysterious goings-on which
occur at some remarkably obscure
part of the school called “The
Grimsley Drama Department.”
So, as a fraction of that
organization, I was asked to write
a bit in hopes of clarifying the
situation. Adolescent cynic that I
am, I made some comment that
nobody really cares about high
school theatre, especially the
students involved. I would like to
here revoke all such comments
made then or at other weak
moments, because this very
afternoon 1 was saved from my
own cynicism and apathy by a
Sophomore. Yes, a SOPHO
MORE.
The above-mentioned lower
classman first attracted my
attention by his walk. He did not
have the confident (and often
egotistical) stride of a Playmas-
ter, yet he was daring enough to
mount the heavy iron steps
leading to - THE GREEN DOOR.
He cautiously peered through the
opening into the murkiness
within, then turned to his meeker
companion and motioned him to
follow. They had taken not more
than three steps into the darkness
when the taller of the two stopped
short (ha, ha) and furtively
whispered, “It’s the drama
department. Let’s get out of here
quick.” 1 immediately had the
fleeting vision of Mr. Parrish
turning docilely from his
Stagecrafts lecture, and upon
spotting the two intruders, swiftly
decapitating both with one fell
swoop of his clipboard. 1 did not
become angry however, until the
shorter (and less informed of the
two) expressed his professional
opinion on the subject of drama
people in general saying, "Damn
bunch of weirdos and queers.”
Loyal Playmasters and all-round
normal, nay ncrdic, person that 1
am. 1 struck back maturely with a
weapon in hand (which unfortu
nately was a rather boring first
edition of this story). Thanks to a
sudden gust of wind, the young
man was saved from an untimely
death via a fatal paper cut to the
neck, but 1 shall not be so careless
.n future attempts.
1 do realize, of course, that not
all Whirlies are so vicious towards
iheir fellow students, yet 1 have
,aow taken it upon myself, the
convers’on of those who have
heretofore feared the Green Door
as my ouest in this column. As a
first step in this radical student
education and un-biasing pro
gram, I have prepared the
following list of theatrical terms
which should dispell many initial
fears of that unknown void on the
dark side of that green door.
1. Green Door - Refers to any
of some dozen institutional green
doors which enclose some part of
the Grimsley Drama Department,
especially the stage door.
2. ROTC - those even more
mysterious men in green who live
beneath those who pass without
fear through the green door -
they often suffer in silence, when
an overzcalous playmaster jumps
energetically up and down upon
their ceiling or pours paper
mache down their stairwell.
3. Techy - “irritably or
peevishly sensitive” is the
dictionary definition, in theatre
language it is a shortened, more
endearing form of "technition”
or stage hand (no editorial
comment intended).
4. Muckle - “to kill fish with a
large club or other, implement of
destruction” is the dictionary
definition, in tecky talk it means
to use one’s muscles assertively.
5. Thespian-not what it sounds
like, a person who has been
inducted into the Theatre
International Honor Society.
6. Fly - to remove scenery
vertically from the stage area by
means of hopes and pulleys, also
McDonald’s Student
Scholarship Winn^
McDonalds would like to congratulate Bruce Lynch on being selected
a March Youth of the Month. This honor is co-sponsored by the
Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department and the Greensboro
^.fecord, and is awarded to two outstanding city high schoo’. seniors
monthly.
Bruce has been a member of the Grimsley Communications System
for the past three years and was a group leader his sophomore and
junior years. He was a member of the Winter and Spring Track Teams
for two years as well as being a member of the J.V. Football team. He
is in A.P. Biology, and English and has taken the Analysis Math Honot
Course. Bruce has been a member of the Greensboro Youth Council
and has participated in almost every major GYC project. He is listed in
Who’s Who Among Greensboro Youth. For these and his many othei
activities and accomplishments McDonalds has awarded Bruce a S10(j
McDonalds Scholarship payable to the school of his choice.
/Y\
IjMcgonmurs
a small obnoxious insect.
7. Flat-Canvas - covered frame
with painted scenery upon it, also
what an actor would be if a drop
fell upon. him.
8. Drop - a canvas wall-like
monster which, like the flat has
painted scenery upon it- can be
flown out when not needed - also
what anyone backstage does with
anything they might be carrying
during the big love scene.
9. Shark Tooth Scrim-a drop
(not painted often) of a material
which is opaque when lit from the
front, transparent when lit from
the back, and destroyed when lit
with a propane torch-it is also
used to protect underwater actors
(Poseidon Adventure, etc.) from
unfriendly fish (was not used on
Jaws.)
10. Tripping-folding a drop as it
flies out so that it does not hang
down into the acting area- also
what a bad actor does during the
big love scene.
11. Blocking- Opposite (hope
fully) of the athletic term,
describes the actors’ movements
on stage, execution of stage
directions.
12. Duct Tape- a heavy tape,
used everywhere on the stage to
mend everything when it can be
found - it is commonly
mispronounced as “duck tape”
because of its habit of growing
legs and wings and ducking under
woodpiles, radiators, etc.
13. Orchestra Pit - The area
directly under the front edge of
the stage - it is surrounded by a
heavy iron railing used to keep
musicians in their place.
14. Murphy’s Law - Anything
that can possibly go wrong will,
and at the worst possible time.
15. Dress Rehearsal-The final
rehearsal at which actors wear as
much of their costume as is
available-the rehearsal at which
Murphy’s law is applied in full.
THEATER WORKSHOP
These students make up the
most advanced drama class
available at Grimsley. They have
recently gone up with two one-act
plays at the Carolina Dramatics
Association (CDA) festival at
Campbell College. These includ
ed Edgar Allen Poe’s “The
Masque of the Red Death” and
student Mark McCracken’s "To
morrow Only Knows.”
They will produce a three-act
drama. Flowers for Algernon, in
the spring on the main stage. This
promises to be the most
prodigious undertaking by this
group so far.
Membership in this class can
be obtained via Drama A and/or
passage of a written exam, a
personal interview with drama
teacher Parrish, and a resume.
PLAYMASTERS
This is the organization that
brings all the smaller groups
together. This is an organization
open to the entire student body
and membership can be obtained
by acquiring 25 hours of
experience with a production.
They presented the musical
comedy in the fall, Li’l Abner and
traditionally present also a night
of one-act plays Short Subjects. In
1975, there was Short Subjects I,
in 1976 Short Subjects II and this
year Short Subjects III.
PUPPETMANIA
This puppet troupe was
founded by Grimsley graduate
Bonny Hall in the fall of 1975 and
has been performing regularly
ever since. They plan a busy
spring with plans to participate in
the GYC talent show in March
perforrtiing “In the Mood”.
Drama students apply make-up before performance.
Album Review
The man from Detroit City has
finally given us fair notice he is
serious about his rock and roll.
Bob Seger’s Night Moves is full of
romantic tales and guitar licks.
His Silver Bullet Band and the
Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section
are responsible for excellent
back-ups on the album.
In my mind, Seger is a melting
pot of two musicians; his voice at
times is similar to Rod Stewart,
his lyrics recall the past like Bruce
Springsteen.
In a way it’s good for Seger to
get a plug on A.M., repaying him
for a well-built album. On the
other hand, if he decides to cater
to the money his fame could be
short lived in the eyes of true rock
and rollers. A great album and a
great artist. Bob Seger is worth
both watching and listening.
Tom Waits voice sounds as if
he swallowed a can of Drano but
you can be sure he’ll leave a deep
impression on you - one way or
the other. His new album. Small
Change, delivers more of the
same messages that Nighthawks
at the Diner, enveloped.
Waits songs almost invaribly
are about an experience that bag
boys, cabbies, all night diner
waitresses, mechanics, or shoe
shiners could identify with
completely. Playing a jazzy, blues
styled piano. Waits music seems
to focus on the late night blues,
always injecting an air of romance
in his song.
Certainly not an album to put
on while having tea with your
grandmother. Small Change
along with all Tom Waits albums
require a close listen. If you’re
never heard this man before, you
owe it to yourself to lend an ear.
Be careful though. If the blues
aren’t the mood or if you’re over
exposed at first sitting, you could
very easily be turned off.
Carlos Santana’s Festival is
indicative of his change in music.
Still capible of producing
lightening fast riffs on his guitar,
he has placed more emphasis on
headlining vocals on Festival,
with his guitar filling in the gaps.
A constant up and down
climatic effect makes the album
ever changing in temperment.
Spanish soul and Santana’s
rhythemic adventures make
Festival an experiment indeed;
Santana is going about a change
in his sound, and listeners.
Possibly losing a little quality in
the production of the album, he
hasn’t lost any talent on his
guitar.
delicious
Qruns^^.
Supplied oy
Liosdn Club
^ 2.25 per cjuorfe' /
bcKefc-s avoliable 10 rvem 86S
c Ourt'03 homeroom d. c\fter school)
from club member or
distn'et police officer.. •
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pick up — SChaot poring bt;r^or.26^KH>)