Patterson's  "Blithe Spirits",  Thespian Society,  1959-1961

It takes much courage and trust for a 16, 17, or 18 year old to stand before their classmates, the entire student body and faculty, and "act" or perform in song, readings or speeches.  There is always the possibility of making a fool out of yourself by forgetting your lines or having a panic attack (stage fright) and having to leave the stage in mortal embarrassment.

The Blithe (as in bright, gleaming, luminous, joyful) Spirits of the Thespian Society (Drama Club) numbered about 30 students.  Faculty sponsors, from the English Department, were Mr. Delbert Baker and Mrs. Rosalie Zalis.  Mr. Baker left Patterson the same year (1960) that Mr. John Fleming left teaching to pursue a career with the Remington Rand Corporation.  Both men, in their early to mid-20's, were young, handsome, and very popular with their students in the classroom and in the after school activities that they sponsored.

From 1959 through 1961, members of the Thespian Society participated in several major plays, color day and special assemblies.  The June Class of 1959 presented the mystery comedy, "The Bat."  The acting, directing and stage sets were excellent.  On other color days or special Thespian Society assemblies, plays like "The Little Red Schoolhouse", "My Client Curley", and "Blithe Spirit" were performed.  And who could forget the "Alabama Stomp-Jumpers" or Pat Skurzynski and Joe Myers crooning a popular "Roaring Twenties" song - and then dancing!

In early spring of 1960, the June Class of 1961 and many members of the Thespian Society presented "Pot Boilers" with Joe Shaney as Mr. Sud, Marsha Wilner as Miss Ivory, Louis Wehage as Mr. Ivory, Julia Wolf as Mrs. Pencil and Robert Greenlee as Mr. Inkwell.  The performance was uproariously applauded, the student body thoroughly enjoyed it as was reported by the Patterson Press, page 1, April 8, 1960.

Later in 1960, Pat Skurzynski starred in "Finder's Keepers" opposite Henry Leohr (Class of 1960).  Pat was acclaimed "Best Thespian" of Troupe 1879 for her performance.  She was awarded a large white and blue felt letter embossed with the words, "Best Thespian Award."  The Patterson Press reported on May 13th: (paraphrase) Pat Skurzynski was a smashing success, as the antagonist in the Thespian Society's dramatic presentation, "Finder's Keepers".

"Cheaper By the Dozen" was performed on November 18th and 19th.  The popular play was a 1920 era comedy about the Gilbreth family starring Pat Skurzynski as Ernestine, Joe Shaney as Mr. Gilbreth, Daniel Redyk as Frank, Katherine Parr as Anne, Robert Greenlee as Fred, Diana Carver as Mrs. Gilbreth, Helen Chesshire as Mrs. Fitzgerald, etc.  The vivacious family consisted of an eccentric father, the mother, who in her own was a psychologist, and twelve children.  The play was a great success as indicated by the enthusiastic applause from the audience (s).

The actors and actresses on stage were always supported by a number of Thespians back stage - responsible for make-up, costumes, stage sets and scenery.

The great Irish Dramatist, Critic and Poet, Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), who could turn words and meanings "inside out" - eventually leading to the truth, commented on the theatre and acting:

"I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms,  the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being...I love acting, it is so much more real than life."

To all the members and supporters of the Thespian Society...Thank  You!

Christopher  Newman,    Class of 1961      June  30,  2011