Bloomington High School, The Gothic, 1918, Page 41

Description:	BEHIND THE SCENESBY HARRIETT RAWLESAt forty-five minutes after six the stars of the evening began to shine withtheir cold-cream and rouge, under the skillful hands of the Dramatics teacher.Needless to say, these stars were the people of our little stage world. Behind thescenes all was confusion in preparation for the performance of the night.Florence, take Dick out in front of the lights and see if he has enough color.Let me see, you need a little more on your left cheek. Who made those lips?Mercy! Have you seen yourself? Be quiet, please. Miss Spart directed theactors to attend to business.Miss Spart, Dick needs more eyebrow stuff and everything, said Florence,after examining Dick from across the footlights.Listen to Florence, remarked Anne, who was inspecting her lips before thecracked mirror. She wants Dick to get more heye-brow stuff. Ha, ha!Anne, please be quiet. Wait just a minute, Dick, till I get Bob done. There--now!Where is that stage hand? Those portieres arent up yet! called a voice fromthe stage.All those who are in the cast come on the stage, and those who are not, pleaseget off. As the cast did as the coach directed, she asked: Now does everyoneknow where they are to stand or sit in that gobble scene? They shook theirheads. You dont? Well, Florence, you say, What shall I do? A very appro-priate remark. I must say. Then, Dick, you and Mary come in. Mary, you sitthere and Dick near you. Florence, you sit on that divingport with Bob there.No, you serve tea, and Bob, you help her. Say your parts slow. Now, who saysthe next?Bob, you do, Florence replied.No, I dont, you do yourself! retorted Bob.Yes, she does. Wheres that book? Dick chimed in.Oh. I say! Cant you people do any better than that? asked the despairingcoach. Heres the book.There, I told you so, Florence, laughed Bob and Dick.All right, here goes, said Florence slightly ruffled. The rehearsal sped on.Go slow on those speeches. said Florence from the table where she waspretending to serve. I cant get this stuff dished out fast enough.They went on monotonously, prompting each other when they forgot their parts, all watching the boy putting up the portieres.What do you think this is, the coach demanded, a summer croquet match?Then they settled down to business and finished the rehearsal.Time for the curtain! called Miss Spart. Everybody off the stage. We aregoing to open on time even if you dont know your parts. Whats the matter with those portieres over there?I dont know, Miss Spart, replied the coach, on the verge of lunacy. I toldthem to put them up yesterday. The coach cant be expected to lug all the furnituredown and put up the scenery, and, of course, coach, too! You must be off yourorbit, if you do think so. This last was directed to the stage hand.Everybody off the stage this minute! Whats the matter, Anne? asked thecoach, as Anne lingered on the stage.Ive lost my favorite hairpin and my hair will all come down if I dont findit. There it is.As Anne recovered her treasured possession the final instructions were givento the cast. Now listen, Anne, dont walk so far to the front of the stage, anddont be so nervous, Florence.Florence, with trembling hands, was giving a few last touches to her hair.Well, I wish you would practice what you preach. If you were going to performand dazzle the public tonight, I guess you wouldnt be calm either! she retortedwith spirit.The coach laughingly called, Wheres Katy? I forgot to tell her where to
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloom/id/2857
Collection:	Bloomington High School

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