Volume 31, issue 4 October 21, 1994
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South wordS
Maine South H.S. Park Ridge, IL
Mother Hicks is a witch...people say"
by Alison Adlcrf A story of witchcraft and deep superstition in Depression-era Southern Illinois has slowly been brought to life on the Maine South stage. Suzan Zeder' s Mother Hicks is this year's fall play. Under the direction of Mr. John Muszynski and student director Stacey Griner, the 28 member cast has been working hard at countless rehearsals to perfect their dramatization of a young orphan girl in search for her identity, of people who believe in witches and believe one is living in their midst, and of a small town struggling to survive hard economic times. Meaghan CahiU-Dunn has the title role of Mother Hicks, and Jenny Beaucraft plays the lead role of Girl. Franco LaMarca is Tuc, a deaf and dumb wanderer who narrates the play through sign language, while different ^Knbers of the chorus translate for the audi^ P e . On playing such a unique character. Franco says, "It's very difficult. I'm learning an entirely new language in a month." Sign language is, indeed, just like Spamsh or French or any other language. Ms. Melanie Kaplan, a professional actress and artistic director for her own theater company is the sign language instructor. Like the cast, the invaluable stage crew is headed by Mr. Pat Sanchez and student stage
Jenny Beaucraft, Meaghan CahiU-Dunn, and Franco LaMarca rehearse. Photo by Paul Berko manager Maureen Gill and has also been hard at work designing, building, painting, and lighting the set, which promises to create the atmosphere of a place unlike any other the auditorium has seen. An interesting facet of the set is the two real telephone poles. Costume crew and Mrs. Lauri McCleneghan have also strived to reach a high level of authencity in the costumes according to the dress of the time period. For this particular show, fewer costumes had to be built, and more could be
found in trips to area thrift stores. The English Department plans on integrating the play into their freshman curriculum, and earlier this week several freshman English classes attended a seminar given by Mr. Muszynski, Mr. Sanchez, and Mrs. McCleneghan about some of the play's dramatic and technical aspects. Mother Hicks opened last night and will run until Saturday with performances tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 PM.
Unexpected loss saddens Maine South by Katie Burns Students and staff at Maine South were both surprised and sorrowed to hear a few weeks ago that Mr. Robert Chefferpassed away on Friday, October 7. After it was discovered in July that Mr. Cheffer had jaw cancer, surgery was performed. Everyone expected a relatively quick recovery, but the illness was more serious than anyone could have known. Mr. Cheffer himself looked forward to returning to Maine South until a few hours before his untimely death at the age of 58. Mr. Cheffer was extremely active during the 24 years he spent here at South between 1970 and this year. He was a counselor for all these years, but his activities extended even further. He was co-director of MONfNACEP, the continuing adult education program held evenings
at Maine South. He was also, at one point, the state president of what was then called the Illinois Guidance and Personnel Association and is now the Illinois Counselor's Association. Mr. Reese, Directorof StudentPersonnel Services, commented that "Bob Cheffer was a pro-active counselor who was concerned about his counselees." Mr. Reese went on to point out that Mr. Cheffer "was a strong advocate of kids" of any and all types. Mr. Cheffer's will be mourned by his wife, two children and two grandchildren. His students will miss, too, the smiling presence and ready assistance that characterized this counselor. Ms. Feurer will continue to fill in for Mr. Cheffer for the time being.