Toad of Toad Hall - 1970
Professor E.E. Griffith directed Toad of Toad Hall in 1970, adapted for stage by A. A. Milnes from Kenneth Grahames book Wind in the Willows. Like previous Children's Theater shows, Toad of Toad Hall was toured around the Finger Lakes region using a rented truck during the 1971 spring semester.
"Toad of Toad Hall is the story, seen through the imagination of a child, of an egotistical and uncontrollable Toad, played by Russell Davis, and how he brings himself to ruin, and is then saved by his friends Ratty, played by Robert Plaisted, Molie, portrayed by Wendy Arnold, and Badger, Eric Hart. The principles are supported by a large cast of weasels, ferrets, stoats, rabbits, squirrels, field-mice, one horse named Alfred, a judge, his usher, and a policeman." - Geneva Daily Times, Feb 23 1971.
After performing as the Toad in Toad of Toad Hall, senior Russel Davis continued working in local children's theater by teaching an acting class to kids in the summer of 1971. The class was organized by Mr. and Mrs. James Bero and Mrs. Harry Waldman. Davis focused on helping kids to understand and fully embody characters through "unselfish play."
