Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Coral Gables Times
Thursday, March 8, 1962, page 19 (of 24)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
'It's Like Selling Pencils,' Says Ponce Drama Coach
MRS. FRIESEMA AND CAST OF PLAY By RAYMOND LANG Guide Reporter You can't see it, but there's a beachhead on Augusto Street. Former Marine Lieutenant Mrs. Vyva Friesema, Leon Junior High, has conquered it. The beachhead is public apathy toward little theater and Mrs. Friesema's nine-year assault on it has meant money in the till at Ponce, located at 5801 Augusto St. "We make about $1,000 a year on our two plays," she said matter-of-factly, "... and our attendance is so great on opening nights we have to put in about 240 portable seats." The auditorium has 735 permanent seats. 'And the money we make," Mrs. Friesema went on, is used for anything the school needs." Since the Ponce drama department takes about $1,000 for two palys (tickets are only 50 cents) and their expenses are about $165, they have some $800 left over. While drama departments at many other schools fight to stay alive financially and turn to bake sales to support their plays, Ponce's group has made enough to buy an electric fan for each of the 57 classrooms and even machines for the shop. What's the secret of its success? It's a combination of factors, said Mrs. Friesema. For success, you need a community interested in supporting its little theatre. "People in the area around here, when our kids go to sell them tickets, they never fail to buy one. "And people are always coming up to me and saying 'Mrs. Friesema, when're you you going to put another play on?'" Ponce puts a play on in March and in November. Tonight and tomorrow night (Thursday and Friday) at 8 p.m., Ponce will present a three-act hill billy comedy, "Hedin' fer a Weddin'," in the school auditorium. Many of their plays are not the simple shows often associated with junior highs, but professional-type productions as "The Wlxard of Oz" and "Meet Me in St. Louis." Success also requires the right kind of drama students. Ponce's club started with 17 in 1953 and has grown to 66. And there's a waiting line of eager beavers still hoping to get in. "It's amazing the interest they've shown," Mrs. Friesema remarked," and their rather advanced ability." Her players, she said, are "pretty good on memory work" and, of course, are bothered with a problem common to many young actors and actresses, "keeping quiet back stage." Making a play tick depends, of course, on the drama coach. "Promotion" said Mrs. Friesema had been the major reason for Ponce's success. "It takes planning and organizing," Mrs. Friesema went on. "It's like any business, even selling pencils."
Here's Cast For Drama At Ponce
Are any of the teen-agers in your neighborhood going to be before the footlights tonight (Thursday) and tomorrow night when Ponce de Leon Junior High's drama department presents 'Headin' fer a Weddin', a three-act comedy? Those youths in the cast of the hill billy show are Seymour Rosen, 749 Paradiso Ave.; Judy Goldman, 6501 Granada Blvd.; Larry Simon, 4140 SW 13th Ter.; Polly Knappen, 233 Viscaya Ave. Bonnie Bassi, 1333 Blue Rd.; Carol Sachs, 7611 Old Cutler Rd.; Sherry Burrell, 3990 Hardee Rd.; Ricky Gutierrez, 1437 Mendavia Ave.; Donna Andrews, 3994 SW 11th St.; David Knight, 133 Camio Ave.; Eileen Mortimer, 1302 Genoa St.; Pat Stokely, 102 Those in drama club, besides students in the cast, are: Carollee Williams, Nora Gattl, Bennie Barfield, Barbara Yates, Lizbeth Kaynor. Edmund Thomas Jr., Raul Benitez, Gabriel Diaz, Jeanne Peterson, Eleanor Haigh, Helena Beuach, Georgia Burke, Cecily Lyons, Kitty Davis. Rosa Ruiz, Illana Gonzales, Diane Guardiola, Maria Prado, Dprre Kornberg, Sara Hill, Susan Sperling, Jan Idyll, Myra Kay, Claire Kelly. Genie Hanger, Judy Sajowitz, Gay Raso, Robyn Hermann, Barbara Pawlinger, Manor Nunez, Ana Alvarez, Maria Rodriguez, Mariolga Sorondo, Mercedes Diaz, Luvi De Bayle, Nanci Albertson. Laren Courtney, Sondra Feldmaier, Linda Patty, Camille Bennet, Shawn Farrell, Debby Munn, Wayne Silver, Claire Thompson, Diane Mordaunt, Judy La Croix, Betty Weintraub, Steve Newmark, Judy Johnson, David Knight, Anita Holtzman, Diane Falk and Paul Clark.
Phillips Elected By Bible Class
The Joy Class, a Sunday Bible study group at Granada Presbyterian Church, has elected officers for the year. They are E. B. Phillips, president, 11220 S.W. 67th Ave.; R. A. Fitch, vice president, 7520 SW 99th Ct.; Mrs. T. Gantt Lane, secretary, 510 Cadima Ave.; and Mrs. Robert B. Arnold, treasurer, 1436 Cantoria. The class is taught by Leon allace, 6111 SW 34th St.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH SERVICES
Sunday Services 9:30 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday School 9:30 and 11:00 A.M. Wednesday Testimony Meeting 8:00 P.M. First Church of Christ, Scientist Coral Gables 410 Andalusia Avenue Free Public Reading Room Weekdays: 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. except Monday and Friday 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. Sunday: Reading only 2:00 to 4:30 P.M. 400 Andalusia Avenue
YOUR REAL SELF
Christ and spiritual life needs for your real self are this church's program. LET US SERVE YOU WORSHIP 8:30 - 11 A.M. Revival Services by Dr. Chas. B. Howard & Dr. Claude Rhea 7:45 P.M. The Ordinance of Baptism & The Lord's Supper 9:30 A.M. Bible School 5:45 P.M. Fellowship Supper 6:30 P.M. Training Union and New Member Fellowship Wednesday, 7:30 P.M. Prayer Service University BAPTIST CHURCH RIVIERA DR. & SEGOVIA ST. Coral Gables T. Rupert Coleman, Ph. D., Pastor
THE ELIOT SCHOOL
Nursery - Kindergarten - 1st and 2nd Grades Fully Accredited - Founded 1948 Nutritious Warm Meals - Transportation Available 7910 RED ROAD, SOUTH MIAMI MO 6-8301
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