2002 Miracle Yearbook

As you stepped into the theater, you were transported to a brightly coloured beauty salon where there was"no such thing as natural beauty." The winter play Steel Magnolias told the story ofsix women who stood beside each other through laughter and hardship. The cast consisted ofKatie Masterson, as Clairee, Shae Elam as Annelle, Rebecca DeGarmo as Shelby, Megan Koons as M'lynn, Amy Hollins as Truvy,and Julianne Howe as Ouiser. Rebecca Baker,Assistant Professor of Communication Arts, directed the play. The play was set in Louisiana during the 1980's and written by Robert Harding. He based the play on the real-life situations ofhis sister Susan, his mother,and his mother's friends. When he originally wrote the play, Shelby, Becky DiGarmo, reas- sures her con- cerned mother, Meagan Koons. winter play he intended it to simply be a story, but it later turned into a play and then a movie. Baker said,"It's so much fun having a play with six great roles for women. It's an awesome cast — they all shine." The play was a very real-life drama,and Masterson said that one ofthe biggest challenges was to separate her personality from the characters. The play was a great mixture ofintense drama with a dash ofcomedy at just the right moments. Hollins said,"You will really find yourselflaughing a lot, and then crying a few moments later. It's funny and sad, but has a good ending that just makes you feel good about life." Masterson summed it up when she stated that any female audience member would identify with at least one ofthe women on stage. The five women pledge to keep their bond of friendship though difficult times The tension rises as Ouiser and Clairee, Katie Masterson, cope with Shelby's death. Winter 113