1990

WEEK OF

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Peterson leaves East Central following 23 years service

He mentions "Camelot" as his most successful production, but many will agree that all his musical and theatrical presentations rate as award winning performances. And now after over 20 years of entertaining audiences young and old with one-act dramas to full-scale Broadway musicals, Bruce Peterson has left East Central Community College to become theater and drama production director at l tawamba Community College in Fulton. Peterson, 46, who taught speech aJong with directing faU dinner theaters and spring musicals at East Central , said the Itawamba position came up suddenly and represented a career oppor tunity "I had set goals and prepared for." He said the decision to leave East Central was ·•very difficult" and noted that half his life has been spent in Decatur. " l have so many fond memories of East Central,'' said Peterson who began his tenure on the Decatur campus in the fall or 1967. A native of Waukegam. [))inois, Peterson came to East Central while a graduate assistant at the Univer– sity or Mississippi where he taught speech and worked on various drama productions. Prior to receiving a graduate assistantship at Ole Miss, Peterson attended Mississippi State from 1962-66 on a band scholarship and played tenor drum. His interest in Mississippi State came as a result of his mother, Bea Peterson who is a native of Aberdeen. At State, he served two years as announcer during the Famous Maroon Band's halftime perfor– mances and be was a narrator for several choral groups. He was president of Black Friars and Alpha Psi Omega

and "Svuth Pacific." Peterson recalled that his first musica l, ''Oklahoma," was presented in 1969, and came about after be and Bob F iek, former Eas t Central band director and music in– structor, approached Dr. Wright with the idea. Peterson said fs.lll din– ner theater productions began about 15 years ago. Little did he realize that his past spr ing's production of " Damn• Yankees" would be his Jast at East Central. Peterson said be has very fond memories of that production, too; not just because students again registered outstanding perfor– mances but because a special presentation was made to him by a former student. Susan Mihalic Tehrani, formerly of Union and now of San Diego, California, presented Peterson with a bouquet of roses at the close of the final night's performance. She and others who performed in "Once Upon A Mattress" 10 years earlier. had made the presentation to com– memorate their anniversary and thank Peterson for his talents and leadership in directing the musical. Peterson said the success of the drama depar tment is due not only because of talented students involv– ed but also thanks to lhe ·•outstan– ding support" received from the Board of Trustees. administration, faculty and staff. He especially had words of praise for Physical Plant Director Clinton Russell and his maintenance staff and former food service manager Leonard Lee and current manager Chris Servis "who were great to work with" in pro– viding valuable services for various productions. And he had kind words for fellow teachers and said he had the pleasure of working with some wonderful people. "A lot of teachers here have been great influences on me and have taught me things that have been and will continue to benefit me the rest of my life. People like Mr. Mayes and other fo r mer instructors Mrs. tAiyne l Simmons and ~Irs. tSara J Heard and 1 current instructor! Miss tLucille l Wood have been of great help to me:· he said. Peterson also thanks the public for the overwhelming attendance and-– support shown for all the plays and musicals presented at the college.

Bruce Peterson the job. I must admit that I really only planned to stay two years, but because of all the support recieved those two years quickly turned into 23." When asked to select a " highlight" during those 23 years, Peterson s~id the musical produc– tion of ·•camelot" in 1974 is probably the " major' ' highlight because it represents " the best work I've ever done." ·' The " Camelot" production featured an exceptional cast that was very, very, talented and includ– ed great performances by Jimmy Gaines of Decatur, Cy Williams and Jane Hollingsworth, both of Union, J ack Thames of Newton and Tom Carson of Conehatta. Following each performance many ovations were given and because it was so good, "Camelot'' was the first production retired from our repertoire. There was just no way any other group could perform the production as well as that group." Peterson mentioned other outstanding productions that later became "retired" and included "Marne," winch featured Evelyn Pierce of Newton and Cheryl Gib– bons of Hickory : "Carousel," with Joan Alawine of Union and David Reynolds of Louisville as leading performers ; and the college's se· cond production of •·okJahoma." which included memorable perfor– mances by Brooks McElhenney of Decatur and Nelda Germany of Union.