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By Kendall Howze
After a nostalgic adventure through the jungle with Tarzan and a train ride to River City, Iowa in Music Man, Glenelg’s drama department showed the highly praised play, Lend Me a Tenor. Kassidy Sharp’s third play here at Glenelg took the audience back to 1934 to watch the chaotic night of eight individuals in a Cleveland hotel suite. In the play, the manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, Henry Saunders (Eli Schwelling, Senior), anxiously prepares for the arrival of the world-renowned tenor, Tito Merelli (Alex Melvin, Senior). When everything gets out of control with Merelli and his wife Maria (Gloria McComas, Junior), and Merelli goes missing, Saunders and his assistant, Max Garber (Jake Baker, Junior), have to figure out how to save the show without letting Merelli’s fans discover that he is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, other guests and workers at the hotel, Diana (Jess Foster, Junior), Julia (Linda Roby, Senior), Maggie Saunders (Julia Rankin, Senior), and the hotel’s bellhop (Matthew Hulett, Junior) try their best to get past Saunders and Garber to meet Merelli. Lend Me a Tenor was the first straight play (a play that is not a musical) Sharp directed in her career. After directing musicals for years, the transition into putting together Lend Me a Tenor provided a new experience. Going into the play, Sharp believed that directing the play would be easier than a musical because of missing musical element. Without having to choreograph dance numbers, it seems like there’s less to do. Sharp, however, quickly found that this wasn’t the case for Lend Me a Tenor. Because there’s no musical element, there are less directors. Generally Mr. Rawlings works with Sharp and the student director as the musical director in charge of teaching the music. Sharp and her student director, Junior Emily Soeken, took on all of the responsibility of directing by themselves. Sharp felt this put even more pressure on the two of them. Though there was a surprising amount of work demanded, Sharp loved all of it. Because there were only eight actors in the entire cast, Sharp said that working with them was a “close knit experience.” The cast members worked well and connected with one another being in such a small group. Sharp found it easier to have a better understanding of the cast, making it easier to fix individual problems than it would have been with a larger cast. Jess Foster agreed saying, “Since there's only 8 people in the cast, we were very close. It was really fun.” The cast had a great time rehearsing together, as well as performing for the audience. The actual performance is always different than it is in rehearsal. Sharp said, “I’d stopped laughing,” not because the jokes weren’t funny, but because she’d seen the play so many times, “and the actors weren’t used to laughter anymore. The audience does the opposite of what you think.” The audience seemed to enjoy the show as much as the actors loved performing. While adjusting to a smaller cast size, everyone also had to adjust to a set design that was unique to previous musicals at Glenelg. Lend Me a Tenor only had one set that did not move. Typically there are multiple sets that stage crew rotates throughout the play to create a change in the setting. Lend Me a Tenor, however, took place in the same setting throughout the play. The focus never left the Cleveland hotel suite. Building the set challenged Sharp, who modeled the entire set, from an interior design standpoint. While there was a general guideline of what the set should look like based on the plotline and the set from the original production, Sharp had a lot of freedom to design herself. Glenelg’s Lend Me a Tenor was a huge success. The audience loved it as much as the cast loved working on it. For everyone hoping to see or be in another straight play, Sharp will definitely have another one next fall. Until then, everyone can look forward to Glenelg’s spring play, Seussical. By Bethany Stewart
Top Songs
By Jessica Lawson
I was five years old when I received Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone as a Christmas present. Each night, I would read the book with either my mom or dad, and we would work together to decipher every chapter and spell. That book sparked a love for not only Harry Potter, but reading. Each book in the series of seven further enhanced the enchanting world of wizardry that the author, J.K. Rowling, creates. The adventures I went on with Harry, Ron, and Hermione have stuck with me throughout my teenage years, so obviously I was excited upon hearing that a prequel series to Harry Potter was being created. For those that have yet to experience the magic that is Harry Potter, it is important to know the background of the story. Set in England, Harry Potter is a young wizard who lost his parents in the wizarding war waged by the overarching villain, Voldemort. Throughout the seven novels in the series, Harry and his friends go through many trials as they work to defeat the evil sorcerer; while also balancing their education at the wizarding school Hogwarts and the typical issues teens face throughout adolescence. Set before Harry Potter was even born, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is set in New York City circa the roaring twenties. A wizard from England, Newt, comes into the city with a magical briefcase providing endless room for the creatures that he studies. Newt works to change the minds of the North American witches and wizards who have been raised to turn their noses to such creatures, all while an unseen evil force threatens the city. Both series handle magic during different time periods, but there are many connections to be made in terms of courage. I had the book, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, preordered for months and finished it in a matter of days. A week after, my nine-year-old cousin was at my house for the day. We were watching a movie when she reached into her backpack and pulled out the newest J.K. Rowling novel. Quickly, I realized what she was reading and we began to discuss the central characters of Newt Scamander, Tina Goldstein, and Jacob Kowalski. We examined their passions, their failures, and their eventual successes. I again felt like I was five years old and was experiencing Harry Potter for the first time. It was then that I realized the newest book was even more magical than being a book about witches and wizards in New York City. It was introducing the next generation of children to the wizarding world. On the surface, all of J.K. Rowling’s novels dealing with magic appear to be fun adventures between some best friends. However, once one looks into the deeper messages of the novel, Harry Potter includes tales of bravery, courage, resilience, and spirit. These themes continue to avail in the adventures of Newt, Tina, and Jacob. Learning traits such as valor and perseverance are essential to developing into a well-rounded, independent person. In addition to integral personality traits, the magical nature of the series helps to build a child’s sense of wonder. The messages communicated through the adventures of the wizards are relatable to all ages, and with the new addition to the series, the lessons can continue to be taught to the next round of readers. By Julianna Mirabile
Social media plays a large role in a teenager’s everyday life. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Snapchat are the applications that are consuming hours of student’s everyday lives. Initially created in September 2011, Snapchat has grown and become one of the most popular platforms over recent years. It is an application that allows friends to send photos or videos to each other that only last for a specified number of seconds. Throughout the past couple of years, Snapchat added many features to make their app become more addicting and fun, including streaks, stories, and filters. To see the involvement of Snapchat in Glenelg High School students’ lives, 100 students were surveyed on their Snapchat statistics, including their highest streak, the amount of streaks people have, the most used Snapchat filter, and the amount of time spent on Snapchat a day. 95% of surveyed students are active on Snapchat everyday. Snapchat filters, originally added to the application in 2015, have become trendy throughout the past couple of months. There is a variety of about ten filters that can be used daily, and while some of them have stayed the same, many of them change and correspond with the season. Popular filters used are the dog face, a butterfly crown, a flower crown, the face swap, and seasonal effects. Along with filters, there are three common ways that someone will snap; A full face selfie, a half face selfie, or a picture of the floor. From the data gathered, the average snap from a Glenelg student would be a half face selfie with a seasonal filter. A Snapchat streak is the amount of days that the user and a fellow snapper have been snapping back and forth consecutively. Out of the students surveyed, the average streak amount was above 200 days. The highest streak in Glenelg is between Juniors, Jessica Foster and Giovanni Saglimbeni, at 585 days. When asked about how he keeps his streak alive, Saglimbeni said, “Last year I would reply in a second. This year, I’m trying to limit my time down on Snapchat, so it usually takes me a few hours to respond.” Though 585 days may seem like it is taking up all their time, it only takes one snap a day to keep the streak from dying. Though keeping streaks can seem like a complete waste of time, many users have multiple of ongoing streaks that broaden their social lives. Glenelg users have an average of 20-30 streaks, while the average time spent on Snapchat a day is one to three hours. This means that an average student at Glenelg snaps 20-30 people for 1-3 hours everyday. Junior, Vincent Gurfolino, even said that he spends eight hours a day snapping. Sophomore, Wande Owens, has kept up with 37 streaks and spends most of his day snapping. When asked about why he feels the need to do this, he said, “It is so addicting, I know I should be studying.” The crazy amount of time spent on Snapchat consumes students’ lives and distracts them from their normal everyday activities. This universal application, though time consuming, fascinates students at Glenelg.  By Nicole King
As the holiday season approaches, multiple people are scattering around to get their last minute holiday decorations together. Many decorations can be bought, but who really wants to spend money just to have decorations out for a month? The money and time it takes to go get the decorations is never worth it when there is a simple solution right in front of your eyes. Here is a series of three easy, cost efficient decorations you can make that will only take a couple minutes! Snowman Bottle Materials Needed: -Long, tall bottle (example: Pellegrino Sparkling Water Bottle) -White paint -Paintbrush -Red ribbon -Three black pom poms -Black construction paper Procedure:
Reindeer Bottle Materials Needed: -Long, tall bottle (example: Pellegrino Sparking Water Bottle) -Brown paint -Paintbrush -Black ribbon -Small, silver bells -One red pom pom -Two brown pipe cleaners Procedure:
Santa Bottle Materials Needed: -Long, tall bottle (example: Pellegrino Sparkling Water Bottle) -Red paint -Paintbrush -Black ribbon -Twine -Silver rhinestones -Three silver bells Procedure:
 By Jessica Lipman Since fall has officially arrived, that means no more tank tops, shorts, or summer dresses. It is time to get cozy and warm to survive this cold weather with the flannel. Being popular with lumberjacks, plaid and flannels are also stylish. Flannels are a perfect outfit for school or if you just plan on going out. First making its peak in the 1990s, inspired by popular grunge bands Nirvana and Pearl Jam, flannels were mainly used for the use of producing a rugged and rough look. The trend also appeared in certain film’s fashion, like Clueless (1995), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), American Pie (1999), and Empire Records (1995). Not only coming in scarlet, burgundy, cardinal, fuchsia...or just plain old red and black, they also can be blue, green, pink, and any other color. Flannels are also easy to find in any store, like American Eagle or Urban Outfitters. At pricey cost around $45, it is definitely worth it.
Why are they so popular? These shirts are easy to style with anything. With leggings or jeans, a puffy vest or coat, UGG or knee high boots and converse, under a cardigan sweater or blazer, or even just with a plain t shirt or dress, you will have the perfect seasonal look. Not only is this trend for women and young girls, but it also is a go to for boys. Guys can pair their flannel with jeans or sweats and their Timberland boots for a comfortable outfit of the day. Flannels are also a perfect pair with a denim jacket, wool coat, or over a light sweater. And remember to stay away from a flannel that will be too small and uncomfortable or matching plaid with even more plaid or other busy patterns, like stripes. As this versatile trend is back and better this season, it is time for you to go grab your own. Not only does it add a little “pop” to your outfit, but it also will keep you comfy with its light fabric. And not only are they good for fall and winter, but they are a key item to add to your outfit any season! By Molly Swartz
Irving Penn’s Beyond Beauty will be debuted in the Smithsonian American Art Museum this winter. His 146 photographs from the Irving Penn Foundation archives will be presented in an exhibit like no other. Each one of his intense, thought provoking images connotes an American life outside of the societal beliefs most citizens grew up learning. He defies governmental thinking by showing the underdog side to any and every situation. Penn, born in 1917, in the middle of WWI, had a very distinct viewpoint on the controversial topics such as slavery and oppression presented to the American society in his time. He began expressing his ideas through painting, but ultimately concluded that his talents were much more prevalent in photography. Penn began his photography career by shooting the cover of an issue of Vogue Magazine in 1942. Although many new photographers were trying to become successful at the beginning of WWII, Penn had a special technique that truly sparked the interest of the best publishers in the business. In an interview before he passed away, Penn stated that he placed two backdrops in the formation of a corner, as “a means of closing people in. Some people felt secure in this spot, some felt trapped.” He said that “their reaction made them quickly available to the camera.” This technique inspired many other photographers after Penn. The style appeared in increasingly more works after the 1940s. In the early 1950s, Penn founded his own art studio in New York. It was a combination of the city of New York, his childhood in the Roaring 20s, and WWII that inspired him to photograph many different aspects of society from his distinct, unusual viewpoint of a reflected individuality and equality in all people. One of Penn’s favorite topics was women’s rights. He played with different aspects of femininity, as more and more women joined the workforce during WWII. These pictures clearly identify the development of independence and mindsets of women as times changed with the war. Penn’s use of intense shadowing and contrasting set a defiant mood for both women in his pictures. He plays with depth perception and mirror images to create a photograph that intrigues the viewer. Penn also photographed women in a non-political fashion. He focused on inner beauty, and allowed women to be pictured in their most natural state. In these pictures, Penn staged the women in a complicated, twisted position. This perfectly balanced the thought of women as being timid when exposing their bodies, and their confidence to show any body type. Racial controversies in the late 1950s and the early 1960s sparked inspiration in Penn. He focused on children, and his images imbued a sense of pain in their viewers. His pictures displayed unhappy children, all of whom are wearing tattered clothing. Penn’s viewpoint on the unfairness of segregation was prevalent in these pictures, which is why publishers chose to use his pictures as opposed to another, more neutral, photograph. Penn had a strong sense of pathos, which enabled him to successfully empathize with the innocence of children and their struggle with racial segregation, and their struggle to fit in with varying cultures. By Jade Washington
The woman who loves to shop while she drops is no longer around, instead she is replaced with a woman in a Prada dress pursuing business and money. Anna Wintour. The woman who gave Vogue are more vibrant, lively, and sassy new appearance demonstrated how she pursues people that can represent their ambitions and talents rather than rich people flaunting their money.Wintour also made sure to explain to people the new and improved woman’s lifestyle and the meaning behind fashion. Wintour, known for her snazzy trademark sunglasses and her fierce bob haircut, had started seeking the adventure and fashion industry at the age of fifteen. She later decided go for a bob look and witness the downtown London life to see The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. After these experiences, her father, Charles Wintour, an editor in the London Evening Standard landed her a position in Vogue based in London. From there she began to rise in the ranks and even progressed herself to be Editor in Chief for the edition in New York City. This woman would transform the magazine it is today by advocating “create your own style… let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others”. Wintour’s known trademark is her black sunglasses and her bob cut. She is known as a fierce woman who does not mind pushing the limits and pushing the Vogue edition forward no matter the cost. Like how she mixes new trends with low paid items in her photo shoots or collaborating with famous designers like Alexander Mcqueen. So, she made her style by being herself and not allowing people to push her down and that is what everyone should try to apply in their lives. Before Wintour, editor Diana Vreeland (1963-71) brought exoticism, glamour, and unusual models to the magazine. After Vreeland was Grace Mirabella (1971-88) who showcased lifestyle instead of fashion. Editors, Vreeland and Mirabella, did have great ideas for the magazine, but when it came to competitive sales they plummeted while other magazine brands skyrocketed. While these editors made contributions to Vogue, their ideas were both outdated and not effective enough to keep them in competition with the other magazines and showing the impact fashion has on individuals’ lives. Now from 1988-today, Anna Wintour remodeled the magazine to showcase how fashion is not about clothes, but about their meaning. Wintour landed the job from the transition she made from being an Editor in Harper Bazaar ( New York). Wintour did not look for the elites to represent the magazine. She looked for influential people who represented something or who can enrich the magazine, Vogue. Wintour turned the outcome of Vogue’s progress around and now they are one of the most popular magazines to read and observe. Being an icon is a great title people can be given, but the title represents leading others with originality, honesty, and self-sacrifice rather than an a superficial title. So, Wintour shows that everyday people are born icons by how people can lead others with different views and interests. Wintour is also right about creating your own style that is identifiable to others because in the end, she created a new edition of a magazine that is adored and highly influential to people in society. With her snazzy black sunglasses and her fierce bob cut, Wintour daily has a trademark that will be remembered in fashion’s history for the influential icon she is today. By Jackie Lyons
In 1963, during the British Invasion, six young men made a name for themselves. Their name: The Rolling Stones. Their bad boy looks and infectious music quickly drove them to instant stardom. With their target audience as teenagers, they soon became world famous. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers’ classic songs like “Paint it Black” and “Ruby Tuesday” made the top charts. For five decades, The Rolling Stones turned their stage into a runway, changing their style to fit the trends of the time. On Saturday, November 12th, their entire wardrobe went to display in New York in an exhibit called, “Exhibitionism-The Rolling Stones”. Items on display include, iconic fashion pieces from every band member, instruments, and memorabilia in general. Re-creations of their original recording studio were also on display, with every tiny detail in tact. It is said that The Rolling Stones inspired the image of the modern rock star, punk, mod, and psychedelia. According to frontman, Mick Jagger, “It’s not just five blokes in blue jeans going on with a lot of amps, you know what I mean?” Jagger tries to say that their appearance means something to their stage presence. The first piece in the collection is a houndstooth jacket worn in 1963, a rare piece from when the band wanted matching uniforms. Later on, their manager Andrew Oldham, decided that the band needed to go the other route and develop a bad boy image with leather jackets and no care attitudes. Another piece on display from 1966 is Mick Jagger’s red military jacket that was worn in the show, “Ready Steady Go!” The bright colors and flowy styles of the 70s rolled in a brand new look to work with. In Keith Richards’ autobiography, Life, he says, “It really pissed off Charlie Watts, with his walk-in cupboards of impeccable Savile Row suits, that I started to become a fashion icon for wearing my old lady’s clothes.” They broke the strict gender barriers that were set up in society by wearing dresses and skirts. In the late 70s, they went along with the disco phase and sported white suits and skinny ties. The 80s and 90s produced neon jazzercise pants and animal print headbands. Keith Richards used his past style choices to influence his character in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. The 54 years that they were together, The Rolling Stones produced 54,000 unique styles that they have no regrets of. Jagger states, “You have to go and take chances, and people are going to laugh, and maybe it’s not going to be a success. But there is no success without risk.” The The Rolling Stones music was a soundtrack to a generation and their fashion dressed a culture. By Olivia Kavidias
Political art has been expressed all throughout history, from the 1900s to the present, the victorious and the painfully chaotic. With the 2016 election resulting in an uprising amongst American citizens everywhere, the timing is perfect for nearly 100 works of art to be on auction at Paddle8, a company which holds art and design auctions, featuring artists from all backgrounds, from Warhol and Lichtenstein to Chuck Close and Rashid Johnson. These campaigning pieces include figures like Trump, Obama, Clinton, the American flag, and the dollar bill. Throughout history, political discussion has been a battleground for those putting their opinions on the field. With art, you can express these opinions with style, texture, value, and color. Even though these specific works going on auction are quite controversial, political art lets every viewer have a different idea of what is being delivered in the art. Robert Longo’s “Black Flag,” done in 1989, can send many different messages to those who view it, depending on their own personal opinions, or what is happening in the world at the moment. For example, one might see a flag, dressed in black acrylic, but another person could read the painting as communicating the world’s division during the recent election. Art like Longo’s doesn’t always have to be timely to be relevant or enjoyed. Other works like “Money Laundering,” by Stephan Gagnon, (2004), have a very clear message; it was done the year the Money Laundering Act of 2003 was repealed. But pieces of this auction are not all obsolete. “Vote Hillary,” by Deborah Kass, was done in 2016, referring to the election, and copying the style of Andy Warhol in a very similar political piece. Pictorial politics engages everyone from young to grown, encouraging them to develop an interest and respect of broad ideas. Maybe the selling of these works will encourage people to be a little less grey toward discussing politics and a little more red, white, and blue. |