A Look Back: the Howard Masquers

The Howard Masquers, later known simply as the Masquers, were a student group on campus that contained both drama majors and other interested students. The Masquers performed many different plays throughout their years on campus and today the Special Collection would like to share some photos of their past productions.

Puck, Cindy Kirby, and  Nick Bottom, Harold Hunt, in the 1964 production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Howard College.

Directed by Harold Hunt, the Masquers performed A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1964. Hunt also played the part of Bottom. The Howard Crimson reported that the performance was an “impressive production” in their March 13th, 1964 review of the play.

Titania, Sherlee Scribner, and Nick Bottom, Harold Hunt, in the 1964 production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Howard College.

Waiting for Godot is play by Samuel Beckett, in which Vladimir and Estragon wait endlessly for someone named Godot. The set of the play features a very important large tree which was constructed by students for the 1972 production by the Masquers. Chuck Leachman and Rich DuBois played the main characters, Vladimir and Estragon.

A photograph of Jay Smith and Charles Sievers in the 1972 Samford College production of Waiting for Godot.

The tree in construction for the Samford College production of Waiting for Godot in 1972.

Chuck Leachman and Rich DuBois in Waiting for Godot in 1972.

The Misanthrope by Moliere is a comedy of manners first performed in 1666.  In typical Moliere style, the play features lovers, deception and a harsh criticism of societies’ frivolity. The Misanthrope was performed on campus by the Masquers in 1973. Though most of the cast is unknown, Beck Britton, Kim Harzard and Chuck Leachman were all in the production.

The 1973 production of The Misanthrope preformed on the Samford University campus. Neither actor is identified. 

Kim Hazzard and an unidentified fellow actor in the 1973 production of The Misanthrope. 

Pictures and text provided by Rachel Cohen of the Special Collection.