The Nineteen Eighties
1981-82
Fall began with a well-received production of The Life of King Henry V directed by Robert Moulton. The final chapter of Preston Jones’ 
Texas Trilogy – Lu Ann Hampton Laverty Oberlander – was given a lively airing in the Arena, complete with a rural, tacky setting by Lance Brockman. David Ira Goldstein directed Misalliance in November which became our ACTF entry in January. We toured to Moorhead, MN, on the day that the Governor closed the state due to 80-degree below zero wind chills. We performed for a hearty audience of about 30.
Winter opened with Poor Murderer directed by Lee Adey. Alum Peter Jablonski was delighted to return from a successful New York career to direct the musical Once Upon a Mattress in February. Wiley and Hairy Man was the YPUT production.
Elton Wolfe directed The Death of Miss Bessie Smith and The 
Reconstruction of Dossie Ree Hemphill in the Arena in April. The latter was written by our own Endesha Ida Mae Holland and had premiered as a workshop production the year prior. Wes Balk directed The Rehearsal with MFA designer Nayna Ramey’s setting of an intergalactic metal spherical object occupying the entire center of the Thrust stage. Wes was so enamored of the sphere that he asked to have it transferred to his backyard after the production closed.
The Belle of New York graced the boards of the Showboat stage for summer 1982 designed by Janet Ryger for her MFA thesis project, while the Peppermint Tent’s Fabulous Fables amazed young audiences. This was the final Peppermint Tent production, directed by Jean Congdon with scenery and lighting designed by Jean Montgomery. The Peppermint Tent had been founded in 1967 as a new adventure in Children’s Theatre. Originally located in a red and white striped tent near the Showboat landing on the River Flats, it was moved into Rarig and played an equally decorated red and white striped Stoll Thrust Theatre from 1976 to 1982 when the bunting was rolled up for the last time.
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