The Pied Pipers strike a pose for the camera . The group trave led all over performi ng for schools, hospitals and nursing homes. T.E.A.C.H. 1st row (I tor): Marilyn Lyons, Cra ig Clark, Carrie Blodgett, Leann Morrow, Gai l Vaden, Krista Neidig, Priscilla tone, Amy Atkinson, Jana Brown. 2nd row: Suzanne Perry , Hebecca Patterson , Jul ieJouvenaux, Lisa Terry, Toni Thorson, Heather O liver,Jan Gently, David Kirkbride, Jackie Studdard, Lyn Pare, Arny , e\\'man, Elaine Raney, Dr. Jeanne Peck (sponsor), Jennifer Boyl e, Katrina Deys. 3rd row: Pau la Moore, lkhecca Helm, Janet Clark, Brad Silva, Darin Martin, Leslie IIolland, Kathy Chambers. jenny Jue.Id , Joel Arnold. Pau laJackson ,Jane Norton. 4th row: Tarra Stewa rt , Tammy Smith , Donna Hill. Pied Pipers iinpact lives in the U.S. and overseas "Pied Pipers was an outreach to children-and reall y everyone who watched the show," Piper Jim Layton explained. "Everyone has a kid inside who wants to he able to enjoy life-and we brought out that childlike quality. We showed children that it was okay to be an adult and still be like a kid ." The 1992-1993 Pied Pipers consisted of 11 students who performed skits and dramatizations for young and old alike. Their audiences ranged from preschool children to hospital patients and the elderly. "I especially liked performing at hospitals and for children with special needs . I can't explain the feeling I got when I saw them smiling, laughing and having a good tim ," said Piper Amy Mitchusson . "The Pipers offered students a great opportun ity to touch ch ildren's lives and at the same time let people know about Harding niversity," said their director, Dottie Frye. The group performed from four to ix shows a day-even doing as many as eight while on tour-reaching as many as 1200 children in one day. Their show was improvisational so no two were alike. The Pipers played various roles, and none of the skits were scripted so each performance evolved differently than the one before it. "It was fun because you never knew what was going to happen," said Frye. Whether they were performing for preschool children, middle schoolers or nursing home residents , the Pipers adjusted their shows to fit the audience. The Pipers also spent time before and after the show getting to know the people in Bob Boaz and Amy Sheppard pla y the part of a poor, Jewish couple . Many of the Campus Players panicipatec.1 in Fiddler 0 11 the Roqj; the homecoming musical. the audience-m eting and talking to them. Everywhere they went, the Pipers seemed to touch the lives of those they met. "When we visited the Walter Reed hospital for children whose parents are in the armed forces, I met a girl with leukemia, "said Mitchusson. "Her mother was with her , but her dad was stationed in Belgium. "She was undergoing chemotherapy and her hair had fallen out. I talked to h r before th show and knew she was having a hare.I time," continued Mitchusson. "I remember her laughing during our performance, and afterwards a nurse came up and told us that our show had b en the first time she'd smiled since she'd been there." Every year the Pipers have gone on an extended tour in the fall and spring. This summer, the Pipers' influence will grow to international proportions. They will travel to ew Hampton, England, to help with a Vacation Bible School program as well as to perform for local British schools. "We are very excited, because the Pipers have never done anything like this before," said Mitchusson. All the Pipers agreed that being involved in the troupe was fun , but their mission went beyond the enjoyment of performing into the job of enriching the lives of those they met. "Being in the Pipers was a big responsibility ," said Mrs. Frye. "Any time you put yourself in the public's eye, especially in front of children, you have a big responsibility . When they saw us, we wanted them to see Jesus." - Melanie Johnson Organizations 107
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