First Nighters, First Night
by Barry Bauer
Joan Davidson, Eugene Livingston, and Anita Masterson
This is the First Nighters presentation of, “See How They Run,” play after they organized as a theatre group. This play was presented January 21, 22, 1965. We have the playbill from that presentation.
Thanks to Carole Livingston for this information.
The Players
Anita Masterson playing the cockney maid Ida, is a senior high school exchange student from the village of Wraysbury, Buckingshire County, England (about 20 miles from London) and is living with the Earl D. Creese family in St. Johns.
Joan Davidson plays the tipsy Miss Skillon. Joan is a graduate of Greenville High and Ferris State. At Greenville high she had the lead in the play “Southern Belle” and at Ferris State she played the lead in “Outward Bound”.
Eugene Livingston started dramatic lessons as a youngster. He is a graduate of St. Johns High School where he had the lead role in the Junior Class play, “Our Miss Brooks” and played the roll of Sir Lancelot in “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” in the Senior play. He attended Michigan State University and now operates a farm with his father. He plays the Reverend Lionel Toop in this production.
Barbara Rann as “Penelope” is a secretary at Michigan State University. She is a graduate of St. Johns High School and attended the University of Michigan. Her theatrical experience included a role in the Senior Class play, “Ten Little Indians”.
Steven Hopko plays Corporal Clive Winton. He is Advertising Manager of the Clinton County News, and a graduate of the St. Johns High School. He attended Michigan State University. He is active in many local activities and has taken part or directed the St. Johns Lions Club Minstrel Show for the past 8 years.
James Moore as the intruder takes on the role of the Russian spy. Jim is an attorney and a graduate of Jackson High School, Jackson Junior College and the University of Michigan. He has been behind the scenes in other theatrical endeavors in staging, etc.
Henry Dellar as the Bishop of Lax. Henry has been long active in Masonic Lodge affairs with 12 years as secretary, 3 years as president. He took part in church plays in Plymouth, England many years ago and is now semi-retired from the Saylor-Beall Manufacturing Co.
Wayne Hicks portrays the Reverend Arthur Humphrey and is an accountant. He is a graduate of the Lansing High School and Michigan State University. He has played in both high school and college productions.
Terry Foster … as the british sergeant, is a native of Sheboygan, Wisconsin and News Director at WJUD. Prior credits include work with the Sheboygan Community Players, the Elinor Bush Little Theater and the Goodman Summer Theater.
Appreciations
The st. Johns Furniture Company, DePeal’s Music Center, Mr. B. Stanley Pocuis and the Rodney B. Wilson High School.
First Nighters Board Of Directors
Roy Brisendine, President
Doris Cramer, Vice President
Donalee Williams, Secretary
Wayne Hicks, Treasurer
Jean Cox
Douglas Japinga
Roger Kowalski
Hila Bross
Loi DeGroot
Production Staff
Costume Committee
Marlene Thompson, Lol DeGroot, Donalee Williams
Properties
Maridell Nelson, Rosalie Ludwick, Judy Reese
Make Up
Ramona Harper, Dora Parker, Jean Cox, Teressa Sisson
Head Ushers
Maxine Brisendine, Doris Hicks, Joan Hudson
Stage Hands
Roy Brisendine Roger Kowalski, Robert Brock, Richard Steffens
Prompters
Marilyn Steffens Teressa Sisson
Audio
Terry Foster Dick Hayman
Publicity
Steven Hopko, Terry Foster, Sheila Brock
Box Office
Jean Cox, Donalee Williams, Judy Reese
Programs
Carl Ludwick, Sheila Brock
Art Display
Sheila Brock
Directors
We are very fortunate to have directors with professional theater background.
Doris Cramer traveled with a road show unit out of radio station WHO in Des Moines, Iowa, playing the lead comedy role throughout northern Iowa and southern Minnesota for three years. She has taught elocution and corrective speech here and in Minnesota for about 5 years. Mrs. Cramer began her stage experience at 5 years of age. She took parts in dramatics all through school and has retained an active interest in this field by directing various plays and church groups and taking an active interest in community affairs.
Hila Bross was in professional theater at the age of 9, traveling with family’s tent shows during the summer and attending boarding schools in the winter. The Hila Morgan Company and the Monroe Hopkins Players were both managed by aunts of Mrs. Bross. She traveled on the road with them throughout the midwest and southern United States. Mrs. Bross later came to live with her grandfather, a minister, and first met Dr. Bross in a home talent show in this same auditorium. She has directed and acted in various amateur theatricals since that time and is active in church and community matters.