\Olume 30, issue 7 December 17, 1993
SouthwordS
Maine South U.S. I'ark Ridiie, II.
Empress invited to festival by Alison Adlaf Congratulations arc in order for the entire cast, crew, and production staff of the fall play Empress of China, for being chosen to be featured in the distinguished Illinois Theater Festival at Illinois State University in January, 1994. Afteratense month of post-production anticipation. Empress was favored out of roughly fifty plays put on by high schools all over Illnois to share this honor with only four other schools. The students going to this festival will experience prestigious drama and workshops. They will also be able to participate in auditions for entrance to a number of colleges and get a chance to meet other students interested in the dramatic arena. Before the play had even been cast, plans were being made for such an oppurtunity. First, the set had to be designed to be extremely mobile. Approximately three hours after arrival at the University, the stage crew and members of the chorus must have the set, lights, and sound up for the cast to rehearse the entire play. After putting on one production, they will have one hour to take it all down. As rehearsals in October 1993 progressed, the actors worked their parts to perfection and the crew built the set and made costumes without flaw in anticipation of being evaluated, a process that invovled a great amount of scrutiny of all the play's dramatic and technical aspects. Empress evaluators consisted of three teachers from Chicagoland high schools, all working for the festival. After the final performance, the cast, crew, and staff were locked in the auditorium and the evaluating began. The three evaluators were impressed with the authenticity and beauty of the Chinese costumes, the simplicity and boldness of the set, the delicate background play of light and shadows, and the power of Brad Haak's original music score.
Beyond the technical aspects, they were also extremely impressed with the level of talent and emotion present in the show, from the function of the choir to keep the play flowing to the playing of main characters. The evaluators praised the cast's tremendous effort, which often included research on many nonfictional historic characters. Such research was put to good use as a question-andanswer session began, when both the evaluators and the cast and crew members interacted, asking questions and offering commentary. Cast and crew members considered the evaluators to be very critical in some aspects of the play. This was pardy accounted for by the fact that they were unable to read the script before seeing the play. Nonetheless, their constructive criticism provided many insights
and ideas that will be put into good use in future productions. Maine South considers it a great honor to be chosen to share a production from the drama deparunent with students and teachers hailing from all over Illinois. Student Director Maureen Gill, Stage Manager Sue Neuman, Costume Designer Mrs. Laurie McClenaghan, Technical Director Mr. Pat Sanchez, and Director Mr. John Muszynski all put in a large amount of work to make Empress of China a powerful piece of dramatic theater. At the Festival, the cast and crew hope to continue to accomplish their goal: to give the audience an greater understanding of a piece of history and a glimpse at the lives of people who who fought and died for what they believed.
Upcoming Events at Maine Soutti Holly Hop Dance PLAJM Assesment Meeting M.L. King's Birthday窶年o School Teacher Institute窶年o School
Dec. 17 Jan. 6 Jan. 17 Jan. 21
First Semester Ends Beach Party Musical Auditions Winter Activities Assembly
Jan. 21 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 27