The Observer: Fall 1981- Spring 1985
09/30 - Augie Theatre Enacts Life
Information announcing the fall play
11/04 - Fall Play
Information about Who's Life Is It Anyway?
12/16: Page 3- Christmas in Chicago: J.C.'s Last Supper
Information about the Dinner Party, a feminist movement and celebration
12/16: Page 6- Join The Coming Out Party!
Information about Augustana's independent poetry organization hosts a coming out celebration
01/13 - Committee on the Status of Women Reactives!
It is mentioned that a lesbian support group is needed on campus
02/03 - Augie Theater Presents: An Evening of TV?!
Augustana theatre department acts in 4 plays
02/03 -Sidebar: N.O.W. Committee Meets
Lesbian Rights Committee meeting at Moline Library.
Note: In small and discreet text, located in the sidebar
02/10 - What ARE They Trying To Do?
An article on feminism at Augustana, mentioning the need for support for gay and lesbian students
02/10 - Sidebar: Church Service
“Red Hearts and Pink triangles” service to remember those killed in the holocaust that were LGBTQ
02/10 - Thoughts on Love
Mentions homosexuality in regard to the Bible. Stating that the Bible does not say anything about homosexuality being wrong.
03/18 - Family Protection Act Threatens Many
Bottom of article, 2nd column: Specifically mentions homosexual limitations in this bill
03/31- Trendsetting– A Look At The Phrases of Augie
Sexist and heteronormative discourse used in the phrases on campus
04/01: Page 7- Mark Johnson: Remembering a Life Lived
In Memorium of Mark Johnson, an Augustana student and thespian
04/01- April Fools Edition: Phyllis Schlafly, Stop ERA Leader, To Speak At Feminist Forum
A fake article displaying misinformation about an Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Activist speaking at a Feminist forum. Poking fun at the ERA discourse in the 80's
04/21: Page 2 - Cast for "Camelot" Announced
Information about the musical
04/28 - Sidebar: May Day Dance
(May) Gay Day Dance hosted at the Unitarian Church
05/05 - Camelot Welcomes The Lusty Month of May
Overview of the musical and interview with cast members
11/03 - “Picnic” Premiers
Review of the play on the front page
01/19 - Support For Gay Males -
Information for a support group that Student Counseling Service is offering for gay males on campus
01/20 - Feminist Speakers Appear
Dr. Julia Penelope and Dr. Susan Koppelman come to Augustana and speak. Dr. Penelope is a lesbian feminist
02/02 - What Julie Penelope Said
A “Pro” article and a “Con” article about what Penelope discussed
03/23 - Arts and Leisure, “Superstar” Staged
Information about the department musical “Jesus Christ Superstar”
04/06 - Swingers Hotline
There are three offers in the column looking for gay men
05/11 - Augustana Theatre, A Successful Year
the Augustana theatre season in review
09/21 - A Few Words With Sandra Hardry
Interview with a student who is a theatre major
10/05 - Food Service Alternatives
Under “Jimmy Sullivans,” the last paragraph, “And if nothing else is happening, having the two homosexuals living above the restaurant beat the shit out of each other can always liven up a dull evening.”
10/26 - Theatre Dept Presents “Red Ryder”
Play announcement and interview with the director
11/02 - “Red Ryder: A Portrait of Weakness"
“When You Coming Back, Red Ryder?” play announcement and review
11/03 - Gays Loose Battle With Georgetown
Georgetown University refuses to recognize gay student groups
01/25 - Page 4- Audition Fever: Find Out What to Expect, Even People Without Experience get Cast
Article about the new theatre major/department and how you can get involved.
01/25: Page 7- Opening Night is Thursday: You'll Love It
Review of the play “As You Like It”
02/01 - “As You Like It” Weakened by Gaps in Direction, Playfulness and Jollity Aren’t Everything
Review of the production “As You Like It”
02/15 - The “One Acts” Students Gear up for Production: Theatre of the Absurd and Human Relationships Portrayed
Announcement of 3 one act plays that the theatre department is showing for two
04/02 - Centennial Hall May Bite the Dust, New Theatre Facilities Planned, Construction Soon Underway
Article about the new theatre building that is being built (that still isn’t Brunner)
04/11 - Cabaret Reveals Weaknesses in the Past and Present, Director Sandra Hardy comments on Implications of Play
Interview with the director of Cabaret and a bit of history on the show and material
04/18 - Students Discuss Augustana’s Theatre Department, Involvement in Productions, and the Liberal Arts Tradition
Interview with students involved in theater
05/02 - Cabaret Provides Thought Proking Entertainment
Musical announcement for “Cabaret”
05/09 - Cabaret in Review
Review of the musical “Cabaret” (which Augustana just did again in October 2022!)
10/13 - An Opportunity for Discovery, “Generations Program Begins a New Year.”
On pages 3 and 5, under the section, there is a story. In a way, this project is similar to PIM.
10/24 “Crimes of the Heart” Prize- Winning Comedy opens Theatre Season
Announcement of "Crimes of the Heart" opening
10/31 “Crimes of the Heart” review
Review of the play, "Crimes of the Heart"
12/19 St. Lucia Festival
(Don is listed as Dan here)
1985
01/23 - “The Wild Duck”
Announcement of the play "The Wild Duck," translated and directed by Dr. Sandra Hardy
02/06 “The Wild Duck”
Review of the play
03/13 “One Acts”
Review of the three one-act pieces that were student-directed
04/24 - “The 1940’s Radio Hour”
Announcement of the musical presented by the Augustana Music and Theatre department
05/01 - 1940’s Radio Show Sparks Memories
Review of the musical