1994 - 1995
Hats off to the 1994-95 North Star Players
This would be another productive year from our veterans and newcomers. This shot, on the set of the fall production of Crimes of the Heart, was among a few with silly characterizations. These members include Spencer Orr, Russ Randel, Paul Myers, Jennifer Smith, Mr. Orr, Aaron Haddock, Justin Gordon, Julie Meadows, Audriana Orr, Athena Dalton, Berkley Roberts, Tonya Mowery, Denise Money, Kara Rhodes, Missy Morton, Melody Russie, Denise Polyniak, Jennifer Coonrad, and Reid Dubose
The Fall Production:
Crimes of the Heart
The cast of 1994's Crimes of the Heart
Spencer Orr, Athena Dalton, Audriana Orr, Julie Meadows, Paul Myers, Addie Turner
The girls of 1994's production of Crimes of the Heart
Spencer Orr (Doc) and Reid Dubose, stage manager for Crimes.
Perhaps the only crime during this production was the opening night shock. This was the year another high school opened in the district and it drew from the enrollment of North High. Due to the spirited student body of the past, the Star Players were used to audiences of 300 to 400 members per night. Imagine the reaction of the players when it was revealed at the before-curtain cast call that there were "about 50 people out there."
Audriana Orr, playing Babe Magrath, at the saxophone. Though she never learned to play it very well, Audriana would go on to become accomplished at piano and harp.
Julie Meadows, as Lenny Magrath, and the others in the cast, acted with authentic Mississippi USA accents; and ya'll know how that sounds.
Paul Myers, here as Barnette Lloyd, continues to impress audiences with his depth of character.
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The Magrath sisters react to the family album photos.
There are more shows to do, girls! Stay focused!
Click the arrow below to enjoy moments from the play.
The Shakespeare Festival
The 1994 fall offering at the local Shakespeare Festival was an ensemble from All's Well that Ends Well. The performance garnered a third place trophy for the Star Players.
Loot by Joe Orton
1994-95 would continue with the tradition of three mainstage productions for the year, and this winter the Star Players took on a very worthy challenge.
Loot, by Joe Orton, is a dark comedy satirizing social attitudes and institutions. Here, cast members Justin Gordon, Berkley Roberts, and CJ Szczech portray the scheming thieves who will rob the bank and hide the money in mother's coffin. Also in the cast was Audriana Orr and Melody Russie, alternating dead bodies.
Hal (CJ Szczech) offers the plan of hiding the bank robbery money in his mum's coffin.
Hal's pal, Dennis (Justin Gordon), doesn't need much convincing.
Meanwhile, Nurse Fay (Berkley Roberts) has been scheming to bilk the doddering father, Mr. McLeavy (Paul Myers).
Of course, good cop-bad cop Inspector Truscott (Spencer Orr) will only take this sitting down, with Hal in a head lock.
McLeavy will eventually be arrested for threatening Truscott, and Fay will discover the boys' game, demanding a share of the spoils.
After all, "We must keep up appearances."
Click the arrow below to enjoy moments from the before and during play.
1994-95 Star Players performance activities...
Star Players Amy Adams and Kara Rhodes singing on the stage for the annual Talent Show.
Star Players Audriana Orr, CJ Szczech, and Melody Russie perform a scene from Wrong Turn at Lungfish during lunchtime mini-theaters.
Star Players Addie Turner, Terra Scoles and Berkley Roberts were very involved in school sports and leadership, proving that they were never "offstage".
Julie Meadows, Athena Dalton and Jennifer Smith receive character interpretation direction from Mr. Orr.
The 1995 spring production:
Into the Woods
The Star Players needed a vehicle to showcase its many excellent acting and singing members. This cast of Into the Woods included:
Spencer Orr, Justin Gordon, Paul Myers,
Josh Hupp, Drina Bingamon, Mark Parker, Heather Bailey,
Addie Turner, Jason Dollar, Natalie Richards, Julie Meadows,
Janelle Andersen, CJ Szczech, Berkley Roberts,
Audriana Orr, Josh Utz, Amy Adams,
Melody Russie, and Erin Spinozzi.
From the Giant's perspective, the characters of Into the Woods react to her presence.
The Baker (Josh Utz), Baker's Wife (Audriana Orr), Little Red (Melody Russie) see the Witch (Erin Spinozzi) in a new light.
Attendant (Janelle Andersen) and Granny (Tonya Mowery)
The Narrator (Mark Parker), The Mysterious Old Man (Paul Myers), The Baker (Josh Utz), hanging out.
Jack (Josh Hupp) is misunderstood by Jack's Mother (Kara Rhodes).
Cinderella (Addie Turner) wished for a better life and she got it.
At right, Granny, Little Red, and Attendant (Drina Bingamon).
Below, Rapunzel (Amy Adams) and her mother, the beautiful Witch (Erin Spinozzi).
Cinderella (Addie Turner), a beautiful princess, even in rags.
The Prince (Justin Gordon), Steward (Jason Dollar), Step Sisters (Julie Meadows, Berkley Roberts, Natalie Richards) and Cinderella (Addie Turner).
Click the arrow below to enjoy moments from the play.
Backstage with the cast and crew...
Understudy Heather Bailey works hard backstage to stay prepared for when called upon.
Makeup specialist Jennifer Smith applies warts and all to Erin. Mark Parker is ready to narrate.
Actors Berkley Roberts, Addie Turner, and Natalie Richards at stages of readiness in the girls' dressing room.
Justin Gordon's makeup has been approved by Athena Dalton, in the boy's dressing room.
Paul Myers prepares for his entrance.
Below, Paul, a bit less mysterious.
Jason Dollar, in character.
(Right) Erin Spinozzi, the three handed witch.
Kara Rhodes and Josh Hupp, mother and son.
(Right) Melody Russie and Spencer Orr (the Wolf).
(left) Striking Step-sisters Julie, Berkley, Natalie strike a pose.
(right) Drina also served as flying bird specialist.
Julie and Kara entertain past veterans Josh Morton and Scott Costa. Justin makes sure they get to their seats on time.
Melody helps gather the cast for the pre-curtain cast call with Mr. Orr.
In the house, Mrs. Orr helps Matt Shelton and Darin Godbey with the microphone cues.
The Wolf carefully checks Little Red's makeup before the scene.
Senior Star Players, 1995
When you're the director's son, you're likely to help on the stage, talent or no.
Fortunately, Spencer Orr proved to be a talented actor as well as a gifted stage carpenter and technician. He started helping with NHS plays as a freshman, paving a glorious path for fellow Star Players, and his siblings to follow.
The astute reader can see in these pages the many characters Spencer created for our stage, comedy and drama.
Spencer was named the Star Players Best Senior. Graduating our best seniors is always more bitter than sweet.
Spencer Orr
The following other excellent senior Star Players helped raise the quality of NHS theater. Many served as technical crew members and managers in addition to their finely acted roles. Because of their efforts in as many as four years, our tradition of fine theater craft carries on.
Paul Myers
NSP Best Actor 1995
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Athena Dalton
Sarah Ash
Natalie Richards
Josh Utz
Kim Linger
Jennifer Smith
Kelly Lloyd
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Erin Spinozzi
Josh Hupp
Claudia Leyva
Jared Hayden
Jason Owen
Julie Anne Meadows
NSP Best Actress 1994, 1995
is a favorite Star Player who served as club president, make-up artist to actor, and gave many fine performances in both leading and character roles. Julie would go on to become a beloved theater educator and teacher of English locally.