|
|
St. Mary's-Colgan Catholic High SchoolFine Arts - History |
The presence of Fine Arts at SMC include in-class and extracurricular experiences in Art, Music, Theatre, Debate, and Forensics. These programs have always been and continue to be a part of the tradition of St. Mary's-Colgan Catholic High School. A history of fine arts programs at SMC from the beginning of the high school to today follows. For information on the Fine Arts Committee, see their web page in the Parish Life section of this web site.
|
Musical productions and plays were popular through the 1940s. Sister Victorine was here in those early days, helping to organize singing groups. Music was also a strong emphasis of the 1950s as the first band was organized. The students formed several musical groups - The Six Teens, The Pantherettes, The Royalettes, and The Senior Care Carollers. Also organized during this decade were two other singing groups: The Blue Notes and The Madrigals. left: photo of band from Jubilee Book (1950s) |
 In
1952, the first passion play Calvary Hill, written by
Monsignor
Stremel, was presented
by members of the parish. The mid 1950s saw the beginning of
forensics. Inspired and encouraged by Sister Victorine, several students participated in the MBL Forensics
tournaments. |
Band and chorus continued to be strong through the sixties. In 1968 Brigadoon, the first school musical, was presented under the direction of Sister Mary Patrick. This began a long tradition of musicals that lasted for many years. In 1969 Sister also directed the musical Camelot.
Drama productions continued to be strong during the 1970s. The Fine Arts Committee was formed in 1974 and supports all the fine arts activities.
Sister Mary Patrick directed and produced Arsenic and Old Lace (1970), Finnian's Rainbow (1971), and Cinderella (1972). The following year after Sister's departure, the students performed South Pacific (1973). In the fall of 1973, Robert Tindel joined the staff and continued with a long line of musical and dramatic productions. A few of these presentations included Hello Dolly (1974), Mame (1975), Funny Girl (1976), Fiddler on the Roof (1977), and No, No, Nanette (1978). As the popularity of the productions grew, the drama club became a popular organization during this time.
The drama department continued to produce plays through the 1980s, including George M (1980), Finnian's Rainbow (1981), Oliver (1982), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1983), My Fair Lady (1984), Camelot (1985), Harvey (1986), Oklahoma (1987), and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (1989). From 1981 to 1986 the plays were still under the direction of Bob Tindel.
During the spring of 1988 the Alumni Association organized and produced the original version of Calvary Hill, written by Monsignor Stremel. Members of the parish and community, as well-as high school and grade school students, were involved in this undertaking.
One of the highlights of the 1980s was the organization of a debate and forensics squad by Bob Tindel. The two squads began competition in the fall of 1981. By 1983 the forensics squad had won the CNC league tournament and gone on to state competition. The debate squad placed fifth at state in the fall of 1983, following with a fourth place finish in 1984 and third place in 1985. We also had state champions in forensics, winning three medals in 1985. Again in 1985 and 1986 forensics gave us another state championship and the debate squad placed second in the state.
Debate
and forensics teams continue to shine throughout the 1990s and
the drama department continued to entertain and amaze its patrons
throughout the 1990s. Christine Hammersley
(now Sister Cecilia Marie) directed Arsenic & Old Lace
and Barefoot in the Park in 1990; Little Shop of Horrors,
The Miracle Worker, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
in 1991; Starting Monday, Past TenselPresent Tense
and Sister Sister in 1992; EleeemosynarylTo Bum A Witch
and The Nerd in 1993; Song at the Scaffold and A
Christmas Carol in 1994; The Song of Bernadette and
While the Lights Were Out in 1995. Cheryl Beezely joined the staff in 1996 after Chris went on to
holier things and directed: Winners & Who's On First
and Fortress in 1996; All Out in 1997; and God's
Favorite in 1998. Guys and Dolls completed the decade
in 1999, with a fantasic performance directed by Liz Hilt [photo
left].
In 1994, a "Fine Arts Day" was initiated. This a day devoted to appearances and demonstrations by various artists at SMC. Students select the artiststhey would like to see and rotate through their selections. Activities have included photography, pottery, various musical demonstrations, design, and ice carving. In 1999, the Committee sponsored a trip to Kansas City to see Les Miserables and gave away two tickets for students to attend.
In the 1999-2000 school year, the Debate squad had one team tie for second in the four-man regional, Forensics sent seven students to State, while the one-act play The Complete Works of William Shakespeare won first in CNC. Several students also finished first in jewelry, graphite sketch, pottery, and watercolor at the CNC Art Fair.
Fine arts programs are one of the many SMC traditions and are especially important now with the the inclusion of fine arts classes and experiences required in the Kansas Board of Regents university admissions criteria.
CREDITS: Alumni History (2000) and Fine Arts Committee