Beloit Memorial High School Theatre 
It is with
great fondness that I remember my days in the BMHS choir, Swing
Choir, and theatre. I played Dracula's wife in "Dracula", Elaine in "Sweet
Charity", and the Housekeeper in "Man of La Mancha." Sass even gave us
theatre geeks a permanent pass out of study hall to hang out on the stage
during our free period.
Even though I knew that music and theatre were not my professional calling
in life, I knew also that theatre and music would ALWAYS remain a part of
it. I have passsed that love on to my own children. My high school age
daughter plays the oboe, flute, piccolo, and fife. My 11-year-old son plays
the French Horn and the guitar. All of us continue to play (I play piano)
at our church and at school. We take bi-annual trips to Broadway in New York
City and see local productions here in
Chicago. I speak often to
both of
my children about the wonderful time that I had at BMHS. That is due mainly
to Sass and to Mrs. Licary.
I absolutely LOVED being in those productions. Looking forward to play
practice at the end of the day always made the other parts of the day go by
more quickly. It certainly gave me the self-confidence to become a teacher
myself. Even though I am a big proponent of science (I teach high school
chemistry in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago), I always tell my students
that not only is a well-rounded education vital to college success, but that
those who take part in the arts are better students in science as well. I
am living proof of that.
I have sooooooo many memories of the BMHS theatre. I remember Vince Vance
singing in his oh so smooth tenor at All-City
"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord......" Mrs. Licary
will remember. He brought the house down.
I remember Sass telling us to be sluttier in our "Big Spender" number during
"Sweet Charity." Probably most of all, I remember being on stage during Man
of La Mancha and singing "...to dream the impossible dream, to fight the
unbeatable foe, ..........to reach the unreachable star." La Mancha was
Sass's dream and we certainly had the talent to grant it. I still have the
photocopied piano music to it!!
Being a part of BMHS theatre was a dream and I am honored to be able to
financially support that dream for other students. I have sent my
contribution to Sass, but wanted to include my many memories as well. Break
a leg to all of you!
Sincerely,
Karen Carlson Linzmeier
BMHS Class of 1981
UW-Madison Class of 1985
AP Chemistry Teacher - Wheeling High School
Wheeling, IL
karen.linzmeier@d214.org or karen@linzmeiers.com