The 1996-97
North Star Players
Star Players club members for 1996-97 included Garrett Willingham, Ruth Bowen, Darin Godbey, Lindsay Rossiter, Brandi Knight, Heidi Hackett, Darci Blake, Denise Polyniak, Breanna Baker, Adam Mc Cabe, Holly Kennedy, Drina Bingamon, Amanda Snelson, Erika Orr, Amber Dungan, Mark Parker, Anna Vepsa, Missy Morton, Justin Gordon, Mr. Orr, Berkley Roberts, Carr Wheat
Star Players Club President, Justin Gordon, wrote this article to invite NHS students to join the club.
The Annual Shakespeare Festival
The Star Players offered up another award winning performance this year, receiving third place with an ensemble performance from Coriolanus.
Justin Gordon, in the title role, was awarded the Best Actor Award.
Berkley Roberts won the third place award for her monologue from the same play.
The Fall Production:
Spoon River Anthology
The Star Players of 1996's Spoon River Anthology rehearsing the Fiddler Jones Squaredance.
The Spoon River Cast Backstage
Cast members Ruth Bowen, Anna Vepsa, and Berkley Roberts
Ryan Orr as A.D. Blood.
Justin Gordon as Barney Hansfeather
Laura Gates, director's assistant and actor.
Lindsay Rossiter as Rosie Roberts
Mrs. Ann Orr, accompanist, and Mark Parker
Holly Kennedy as Nancy Knapp
Garrett Willingham as one of his several roles
Denise Money as Hortense Robbins
Drina Bingamon as Mrs. Kessler
Cheryl Meeks as Dora Williams
Carr Wheat as Roscoe Purcapile
Berkley Roberts, actor and singer
Amber Dungan as Flossie Cabanas
Anna Vepsa, imported actor from Finland.
Mark Parker, narrator, singer, and actor of many parts.
Freshman Erika Orr debuts, as Nellie Clark, and singer.
Director Larry Orr says, "So many fine actors were needed to play so many diverse characters."
Justin Gordon tips his hat to Spoon River's cast.
Click the arrow below to enjoy moments from the slideshow.
The busy actors of 1996 were ready to produce a 1997 winter play, with another production of You, the Jury, but that was in addition to creating another hit performance for the CSUB Spotlight Festival, The Great American Cheese Sandwich reprised for the occasion from last year.
The cast would include Mark Parker, returning as Father, Justin Gordon as Tom.
Mark Parker would revise his previous year's role as Father for The Great American Cheese Sandwich at the CSUB Spotlight Fetival. The scene earned the Outstanding Performance Award .
You, the Jury 2.0
The winter of '97 proudly presented You, the Jury, our second production of our madcap version of the play. The cast included Jason Dollar (Bailiff), Mark Parker (Judge), Laura Gates (Gwendolyn), Drina Bingamon (Miss Carver), Erika Orr (Stenographer), Ruth Bowen (Barbara Scott), Cheryl Meeks (Janice) April Adams (Sheila), Adam McCabe (Chester), Lindsay Rossiter (Mrs. Lake), Carr Wheat (Clerk), Garrett Willingham (McPherson), Ryan Orr (Rennie), Brian Wilhite (Jimmy), Justin Gordon (Allan Woodward), and returning to the cast from Jury 1, Maggie Landers (Edith). Scott Costa from previous years on the wall.
Click the arrow below to enjoy moments from the play.
Days of Improv
Star Players prepare again for Improv day.
Ryan Orr, in an improv fury, is backed by Garrett Willingham, Jon Rodriguez and Drina Bingamon.
Garrett and Ryan wait as Justin Gordon sets the scene.
Star Players President Justin Gordon looks forward to the live audience.
Star Players member Ryan Orr looks wet.
Star Players Publicity man Garrett Willingham looks sideways.
Click the arrow below to enjoy moments from the slideshow.
1997's Spring Musical
A Funny Thing
Happened
on the Way
to the Forum
A curtain call for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the spring of '97 production by the North Star Players.
These male auditioners for the play included Mark Parker, Justn Gordon, Ryan Orr, and Adam McCabe
Shawna Watson auditions, then celebrates with others.
Here is Shawna, Mark, Adam, and Jenny Cabe in early rehearsals. Below, Chris Osborn, Mark, Danny Bennett and Aaron Duemmel.
Bryan Wilhite, Erika Orr and Mark Parker
Berkley Roberts, Brittany Owen, and Julie Cribbs learning parts.
Cast members Julie Cribbs, Erika Orr, Bryan Wilhite, Adam McCabe and Justin Gordon in the green room await their next entrance.
Lycus (Bryan), Protean (Aaron), and the girls, (Berkley Roberts, Jenny Cabe, Kelsey Musick, Julie Cribbs, Shawna Watson and Brittany Owen) are ready to open another show.
Senex (Garrett Willingham) must be careful about wife, Domina (Laura Gates).
Pseudolus (Mark) must placate the mysterious Erronius (David Light).
Miles Gloriosus (Justin) must rule over the Proteans (Aaron, Chris, Danny).
Mr. Orr gives daughter Erika a break-a-leg hug.
Laura gives Bryan one, too.
So, it's only fitting the two huggers give another...
Senex (Garrett) must also be careful about daughter Philia (Erika) with Hero (Adam).
The girls attend brain...
...or brawn.
Senex (Garrett) is both brain and brawn enough for wife, Domina (Laura Gates).
As is our tradition, the girls (Berkley Roberts) help the boys (Brian, here) with their make-up.
Shawna Watson and Julie Cribbs caught in the act as Ryan Orr waits trustingly.
Adam McCabe (Hero) and Erika Orr (Philia)
Click the arrow below to enjoy moments from the play.
Cast party for Funny Thing
Cast members from A Funny Thing... gather for a party outdoors.
Garrett plays his version of a Steely Dan song singing,"...and I'm nev-er go-in' back to my old...school..."
Star Players Kelsey, Berkley, and Laura react to Justin's version of Steve Erkel.
The Annual Star Players Banquet
The North Star Players this year started a tradition of the annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony. It was held at Olive Garden. Each Star Player voted for others in various categories such as Best Actor, Best Improviser, Best Technician...
Star Players Director Mr. Orr presented the awards.
Star Players President Justin Gordon was voted Best Actor.
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Star Players member Laura Gates was voted
Best Supporting Actress.
The lovely Mrs. Orr presides at the ceremony.
Star Players Historian Berkley Roberts was voted Best Actress.
Star Players member Mark Parker was voted Best Supporting Actor.
Star Players member Ruth Bowen was voted Best Newcomer.
Star Players Publicist Garrett Willingham was voted Best in Improv, and Best Senior.
Members Carr Wheat, Mark Parker, and Ruth Bowen attend the Banquet.
Jamie Rushing, Mark Parker, and friend.
David Light and Brittany Owen enjoy the festivities.
Also in attendance were the characters Ah-Some and Ah-So.
"Parting is such sweet sorrow"
The 1996-97 year ended like all the others and the most splendid seniors moved on to the rest of their lives. May they enjoy all the success of which they dream.
Saying so long to Justin Gordon, past Star Players member and Club President, was difficult indeed. Voted NSP Best Actor in 1996, Justin's acting versatility enabled him to play comedy, tragedy, and musical comedy; from leading man to everyman. Justin debuted as a sophomore with a gritty performance in the dark comedy, Loot, would go on to portray MacBeth in "the Scottish play," and created many other fine characters and performances on our stage and around the city. Ever the professional, Justin has continued in professional theater/film endeavors as actor, director, educator, and surely has a production in the works today.
Other fantastic Star Players who graced our stage this year and more, and will live on in our tradition include...
Amy Adams
Jenelle Anderson
Drina Bingamon
Ruth Bowen
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Jason Dollar
Denise Money
Amber Dungan
Missy Morton
Darin Godbey
Kelsey Musick
David Light
Mark Parker
NSP Best Actor 1997
Amy Richards
Anna Vepsa
Berkley Roberts
NSP Best Actress 1997
Berkley's multi-talent will be missed among the Stars. Active in the ASB, and sports, Berkley was able to also serve as 1996-97's Star Players Historian, and for several years acted roles on our mainstage and competitions, receiving honors at this year's Shakespeare Festival for her portrayal of Volumnia from Coriolanus. Berkley's leadership, kindness, and stage presence is fondly remembered by all.