"It's going extremely well. It's finally getting some unity in it. The actors are starting to feel like the characters they are portraying rather than like themselves," is the comment Deb Fowler makes about the Senior Class play, Out of the Frying Pan.

Deb is one of the student directors of this year's play. She has been interested in dramatics since junior high. She has been on the stage crews or makeup crews of all the plays at Maine since her freshman year.

This 5'3" brown‑haired senior said that while trying out for the part of Marge, she mentioned to Mr. Boyer that she would like to he student director. Deb didn't get the role of Marge, but two days later she was notified that she was to be one of the directors.

When asked whether she enjoyed being one of the directors, Deb replied, "It's very tiring, but I really enjoy it ‑ I suppose because being director, I feel like I'm every character up there. I have to analyze each character while I'm cueing the actors or giving directions.''

Deb's courses this year include modern history, government, English IV W and Art I. Deb will graduate this January. She then plans to work and later hopes to attend the University of Illinois.

Deb's advice to students is "No matter how important and dramatic the time or moment is, don't be so crushed or totally involved that you lose your foresight. High school is only a stepping stone."


"Normal, sensible, not eccentric or weird" is the way Bob Aulert '69 describes his role as Norman in the Senior Class play, Out of the Frying Pan.  He continues to describe Norman as a person who changes his personality at different times during the play.

Bob believes that all roles in any play are hard. He commented, "It can be two lines or the leading part; each actor contributes equally to make the play complete."

In the play, Norman is a 22‑year‑old man. "Norman is close to my own age so it makes it easier for me to associate myself with him," Bob declares. "You must not just say your lines, but you must make yourself believe it is really happening."

Last year Bob participated in Arsenic and Old Lace playing the part of Mortimer. Earlier, before Bob was in high school, he was involved in the school, Theater at Rand Park. Two of his more important roles while in the Footlighters were in the plays, One Foot in Heaven and Park Avenue.

Involved in many activities, Bob is president of Thespian Society and has been on Class Council for four years. This year he is on Student Council and is chairman of the Evaluation Committee.

A subject Bob feels strongly about is the ever popular topic of Student Council. Bob says, "The subject of the situation of Student Council hits a nerve in me." Bob believes, "It is not that Student Council isn't doing their job, but they are trying to take on too many responsibilities.

Aerodynamics is the field Bob is going to major in at the University of Illinois. "Ever since I've been a kid," Bob says, "I've been interested in it. As for becoming an astronaut, definitely no!"


An amazingly familiar character named George Bodell is played by senior Bill Johnson. One of three actors and actresses living together, George Bodell is compatible and easy going. He is also the lazy one of the group, a characteristic Bill claims to have himself.

Like the character he portrays, Bill likes to meet people and make new friends. Bill also seems to have an urge to try anything once. Previous to this play he hadn't had any acting experience.

Likewise, he has never taken a course in drama, but expressed a desire to take drama in college. He was very enthusiastic about the play in general and described Mr. Boyer as a fine director.

Without dramatic experience, it would seem unlikely that anyone would try out for a play. After being forced to drop gymnastics due to a concussion, Bill decided to give it a try. Encouraged by his friends, he put forth a good effort and won himself a part in the play as one of three male leads.

Bill reaffirmed the opinion of everyone else connected with the play and described it as exceedingly funny. None of the characters act as the "straight" man. The humor is contained, for the most part, in the situa­tions the various characters get into, rather than just the wit of one of them.

The cast has worked hard to make the play a success. The daily rehearsals were well under way by 4 o'clock and generally were over at around 6 in the evening.

With a contagious zeal Bill urged his fellow seniors to "sell all of their tickets." He also maintained that "All students really ought to get out and go see the play."