Pryor Scrapbook Clippings, 1983-1997

1Jr. Joe· to Fulfill Childhood Dream As a Medical Doctor in 'Carousel' by Alice Ann Kellar As. a boy, Joseph Pryor wanted to be a medical doc– tor. He never made it. Instead, he pursu_ed other ;:>aths that included teaching at Harding for more than 40 years, servif!g as academic dean, vice president, Petit Jean advisor and numerous other assignments. · .But in his final year of teaching at the unviersity, he is getting the opportunity to portray a physician, even . if it is only ·for one scene in the upcoming Hometoining production of "Carousel:' "The closing scene ,of 'Carousel' called ·for the town doctor to deliver the baccalaureate address," Arthur Shearin, one of the direetors, said. "We thought lt fitting that Dr. Joe play that role and we are _ pleased he agreed to do it." Dr. Joe's .appearance on stage will not be his first, although it has been quite a _number of years since he was active in Harding pro- \ ductions. In the early years, however, he produced and directed the college's drama efforts. "During ttiat time;· Pryor said, "it was usually necessary that I play one of the roles. We didn't have a great number to choose from in those days:· Pryor has been cast as Dr. Seldon, whose lines in– clude a Chtuge to the spring 5raduating class. "I really . didn't know if I could learn· a long part, but I told the directors that I was pretty good at ad libbing;' he said. Anyone who knows .Joe Pryor has absolutely no doubts about his success. A cast of about 60, in– cluding the Clam Bake chorus of 30 voices, will present the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical at . 8:15 p.m. 6n Friday, Nov. 4, and 7:30 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 5, in Benson Auditorium. Leading roles, announced last spring, will be played by Conrad Ekkens of Freeland, Mich., as Billy Bigelow; Shelli Miller Meador of Sp_ringfield, Mo., as Julie Jordan; Robert Rit– ter of Bonner Springs, Kan., as Enoch Snow; India Med- . ders -of Calhoun, Ga., as Carrier Pepperidge; and Laura Beth Henderson of Searcy as Nettie Fowler. Director Morris Ellis and the technical crew have finished the sets, and the costumes, most of which are being stitched by the students, are almost completed. An orchestra of 30 musi– cians, under the· direction of Shearin, began rehearsing at the start of the semester. The remaining cast, selected following auditions in early September, includes Marisa Thomas of Irving, Texas, as Mrs. Mullins; Scott Miller .of Springfield, Mo., as Jigger; ·Greg Hargett of Ven– tura, Calif., as Davi9 Bascombe; Scott Stewart of Mabelvale, Ark. , as the Heavenly Friend; Eric French of Ulysses, Kan., as the Starkeeper; Wes ·Stine of Spokane, Wash., as the Cap– tain; Jeff Dunn of Jasper, Texas, and David White of Searcy as Policemen; Neil Floyd of Virginia Beach, Va., as the Prin~ipal; and Jen– nifer Noland of Tinton Falls, N.J., as Louise. Chuck Roe of Springtown, Texas, Karen Mayfield of Calhoun, Ga., and others to be announced will be Snow Children. Dr. Joe Pryor, who has often ·been seen in academic regalia during his tenure at Harding, will address graduates as Dr. Seldon in the Homecoming musical "Carousel." IO-t'e