NTID Theatre History: Spoon River and Other Anthologies: March 1971

The NTID Drama Club Production, entitled "Spoon River and Other Anthologies", was staged on March 26-27, 1971, in Ingle Auditorium (RIT). In a sense, it represented the most ambitious undertaking by the Student Drama Club to date for the following reasons:

• It features that contemporary classic, "The Spoon River Anthology", a three act play which was condensed into one long act running approximately one hour. For this purpose, the play script was adapted and the language revised so as to utilize the full resources of "sign-mime" and the individual talent of each performer. 
• The production included 3 original skits, conceived jointly by the Faculty Advisors and the students.
• Students were given the opportunity and responsibility of directing "Spoon River" and the 3 skits.
• Over 50 students participated in the total production-as directors, as performers, as technicians, etc. (a record number to date).
• The production was given a two-night stand (March 26 and 27). This also represented a "first", in as much as the 6 previous productions by the Drama Club were single night performances.

Judging from the reaction of those who attended the performances, the latest production was "the best overall show" given by the Drama Club to date. Many were particularly impressed by "Spoon River", as dramatized by our NTID students. Not only did they bring out the full pathos and humor of the 26 psychological studies of character involved but they also revealed a depth of sophistication and "method acting" such as could be said to rival that of the National Theatre of the Deaf.