That barely five‑foot old lady you've been seeing on the Maine West stage is actually Mary Gianpetro '69, and she's got a secret and a story to tell about herself.

Mary has been in every musical since her freshman year, the Senior Class play, and Choraliers.

Her motherly air in conversation, she says, is due to her acting parts, always as an old lady. "I guess I enjoy being in things like Noah. If I weren't in it, I think I'd die. Well, you know, it gives me something to do." She admitted that Noah is the greatest thing since Jungle Book.

The most rewarding aspect in the drama activities is the final reaction of the audience. "Once a person gets on the stage and gets the feel of it, I don't know how he could not stay and act for fun." In Noah she plays the wife of Noah (Paul Zeissler) and is called Mama.

When asked to look into the future, Mary said she's determined to make the scene at the Prom, "date or no date." She feels every girl should go to her Senior Prom as an end to her schooling in high school. She is going to keep the faith.

Mary hopes that the Thespian sponsored play, Noah, will be a big success. Basically it is a fantasy of Noah and the Ark, the 40 days and 40 nights with Mama.

Mary will attend Northern Illinois University majoring in Spanish and eventually teach that language. She hopes to accomplish one big thing, "getting married and being some kind of a leader for my own satisfaction.''


"When I play the character Noah, I find I must completely change from myself to him. This is very difficult," states Paul Zeissler '69, describing his role in the play, Noah.

According to Paul, "The play is a serious fantasy concerning a conflict between God and the devil. Ham, Noah's son, represents the devil, and Noah represents goodness."

Paul's senior year is the first year that he has been involved in plays. His first role was as Mr. Kenny, in Out of the Frying Pan. He also played Pop in Pajama Game.

"This year I'm taking drama, and I decided to try out for a part in a school play. I'm glad now that I became involved. It's really worthwhile," comments Paul.

"Props do not play a large part in Noah," Paul states. "Most of the story is told through acting. When the flood scene is done, no actual water is used. The actors must react to the idea of rain and convey the idea across to the audience.

"The play is not done very realistically," Paul continues. "The ark will be transparent, and the trees will also be transparent." Paul feels, however, that this will not keep the audience from becoming involved. "I feel the actors will convey the idea realistically enough without having to depend on props."

Among Paul's activities at Maine West are swim team, M-Club, and his participation in school plays. Paul will be going to Elmhurst College next year. He is considering a major in drama.

"This year has really changed my ideas. Drama has opened a whole new field for me in considering my future," Paul concludes.


Who is Jim Hoekstra? Jim is a 5'8", blond‑haired, hazel‑eyed senior. He also happens to be the student director of the all-school play, Noah.

According to Jim, the three biggest problems he faces as director are ". . trying to get into the auditorium, the long hours involved, and in general, trying to get everything in order."

Besides being the director, Jim is involved in many other school activities. He is a member of Concert Choir, Choraliers, and Thespian Society. Jim has participated in Reader's Theater, WMTH, and also had the lead in the musical, Pajama Game.

When asked what he does in his spare time, Jim grinned and said, "What spare time?" He does have several hobbies, though, and lists them as electronics, baseball, Sue, acting, and music, though not particularly in that order.

Jim's courses this year include radio and TV, government, English IV W, and earth science. His future plans include four years at Central College in Pella, Iowa, where he will major in liberal arts. Jim is active in his church and plans to become a minister.