Mrs. Beverly Skipper-Lange
Questions about Miss Gussie Nell Davis
Describe your relationship with Miss Davis?
I completely respected her and some what feared her. I tried to gain her approval and I believe that I did. I was one of her "Dottie Drill Team" girls who did nothing to get into trouble and fave it my all. Later as a director myself, I realized how much I valued the "Dotties" I had.
What kind of person was Miss Gussie Nell Davis?
She was driven and motivated. She was a perfectionist and wouldn't settle for anything less. She was a Southern Belle and a true lady.
What is something memorable that Miss Davis said to you while on the team?
"Beverly, why didn't you try out for officer?" I did not have the confidence to try out for officer, so I didn't. I thought every Rangerette was a better dancer than me, prettier than me, and skinnier than me. We held officer tryouts in the auditorium, and after almost everyone had left, I was doing my usual "Dottie" thing, picking up things that had been left on the stage. Miss Davis asked me that question. Even if she had wanted me to try out for officer, there is no way she would ever have asked me to try out. You had to do it on your own. That was a turning point for me. I had nightmares and did the "Officer Strut" for about ten years after that.
How would you describe Miss Davis' teaching style?
Peppy, energetic, and crisp.
Questions about Rangeretets:
Were you an officer, or in a leadership position while on the team?
No
What was the size of the team?
There were 65 members. We had weekly tryouts, and only 48 ever performed. I performed every single time. This fostered a bit of competition to improve and to be chosen each week.
Did or does the team size change from year to year?
It did not vary during those years.
Did you have any dislikes about Rangerettes?
The first year was very, very difficult. There was a lot of "freshman orientation" - silly songs, air raid drills, opening doors for sophmores, wearing less flattering clothes to practice, and so on. Freshman definitely knew they were on the bottom of the barrel and had to prove themselves worthy.
What is your best memory from Rangerettes?
When I was a sophmore, a small group of eight was invited to perform at the Little Rock Arkansas Poultry Festival. Sounds crazy? We were treated like royalty. We drove two vehicles to Little Rock and perfomred at their "Miss Poultry Queen" competition...About fifty contestants were competing for the title. Each contestant waled down the long elevated ramp in the big arena so the judges could first evaluate them. Then the promoter asked each Rangerette to take a whirl on the ramp. We had been tauhgt how to walk, smile, and hold our heads up, so it was easy. We then performed our pistol routine and our high kick routine. Exhausted, breathing hard, and smiling, we heard the promoter/announcer tell the audience "These young ladies are sophomores, and this is their last time to perform together as Rangerettes. I know if you give them a big round of applause, they would be thrilled to perform their kick routine for you again one last time?" Are you kdding? We've just danced two very energetic dances, and we're exhausted? Well, the applause built, the music started, our adrenalin kicked in, and we kicked our faces with exhilaration.
What type of dances did you do while a Rangerette?
Kick of course! Jazz, Pom, Military, and Prop.
What was your favorite dance/most memorable dance while in Rangerettes?
Least favorite, but beautiful,was the pom routine. It was the time before manufactured poms were readily available, and Miss Davis made her own. We are talking two feet of 2X 4 wood, with strips of plastic stapled onto them. They seriously weighted about 2-3 pounds each, and you were worn out performing the pom routine. It was beautiful though.
Was the uniform the same as it now?
Yes, the skirt was a bit longer, and we had a tiny red net petticoat that has been discontinued.
How did being a Rangerette help you to do what you do now?
As I mentioned before, the officer tryouts were a turning point for me. I decided right there that I would not ever again eliminate myself from something I wanted to do. I would never decide ahead of time that I wasn't going to be elected/chosen. I would "go for it" and let it be decided by someone other than me.
Questions about yourself:
What dance experience do you have, as a dancer and teacher?
I have some years of studio dance, and seven years on drill teams. Victoria High School Victoriadores, Sophomore Lt, Junior Lt, and Majore (Captain). Kilgore Rangerettes for two years, Southwest Texas State University Strutter (now called Texas State University). Drill Team director at John Marshall HS in San Antonio and Trinity HS in Euless for 13 years. Lifetime Achievement Award from Texas Dance Educators.
How did you decide to start Showtime Internationl?
As a Senior in Strutters, I received an invitation to help start a drill team in Duncan, Oklahoma. I helped them with their tryouts and held a two week summer camp for them. I had been previusly asked by Miss Davis to join the American Drill Team Staff, of which she was a 50% partner, but all of the junior staff positions were filled that year by the other owner's college-aged girls, so I stared Showtime on my own. If not, I could now be working for one of my very best friends, Joyce Pennington, who now owns American Drill Team. We laugh together about that.
When was the compay formed?
1973
Give a description of Showtime Internationl, what kind of events do you host?
We began our company by holding summer camps. Our business has grown to include hosting cmpetitions, college auditions, and producing Bowl game halftimes.
What are some of the highlights from your time as a dancer, teacher, and with Showtime International?
The Wave. One year in the 80's our San Antoni contest was so big that the audience could do "The Wave" all around the coliseum. Cotton Bowl 2009 - Our staff was incredible, we organized the trip beautifully, and the parade, pre-game, and halftime performances were stunning.
Any additional comments that you would like to share?
Being in drill team and working with Showtime all these years means everything to me. My role as a choreographer and instructor has changed and evolved into being the planner, which I enjoy very much. I love our staff - they are positive, cheerful, energetic, funny, and extremely capable. There is nothing I would rather be doing, and the things I've learned from being in drill team and from owning Showtime translate into many other areas such as planning a wedding and building a new house. It is gratifying when a student or staff lets me know that I have touched them or helped them learn something that makes them more capable or successful in life.
Back to Interviews Page
Describe your relationship with Miss Davis?
I completely respected her and some what feared her. I tried to gain her approval and I believe that I did. I was one of her "Dottie Drill Team" girls who did nothing to get into trouble and fave it my all. Later as a director myself, I realized how much I valued the "Dotties" I had.
What kind of person was Miss Gussie Nell Davis?
She was driven and motivated. She was a perfectionist and wouldn't settle for anything less. She was a Southern Belle and a true lady.
What is something memorable that Miss Davis said to you while on the team?
"Beverly, why didn't you try out for officer?" I did not have the confidence to try out for officer, so I didn't. I thought every Rangerette was a better dancer than me, prettier than me, and skinnier than me. We held officer tryouts in the auditorium, and after almost everyone had left, I was doing my usual "Dottie" thing, picking up things that had been left on the stage. Miss Davis asked me that question. Even if she had wanted me to try out for officer, there is no way she would ever have asked me to try out. You had to do it on your own. That was a turning point for me. I had nightmares and did the "Officer Strut" for about ten years after that.
How would you describe Miss Davis' teaching style?
Peppy, energetic, and crisp.
Questions about Rangeretets:
Were you an officer, or in a leadership position while on the team?
No
What was the size of the team?
There were 65 members. We had weekly tryouts, and only 48 ever performed. I performed every single time. This fostered a bit of competition to improve and to be chosen each week.
Did or does the team size change from year to year?
It did not vary during those years.
Did you have any dislikes about Rangerettes?
The first year was very, very difficult. There was a lot of "freshman orientation" - silly songs, air raid drills, opening doors for sophmores, wearing less flattering clothes to practice, and so on. Freshman definitely knew they were on the bottom of the barrel and had to prove themselves worthy.
What is your best memory from Rangerettes?
When I was a sophmore, a small group of eight was invited to perform at the Little Rock Arkansas Poultry Festival. Sounds crazy? We were treated like royalty. We drove two vehicles to Little Rock and perfomred at their "Miss Poultry Queen" competition...About fifty contestants were competing for the title. Each contestant waled down the long elevated ramp in the big arena so the judges could first evaluate them. Then the promoter asked each Rangerette to take a whirl on the ramp. We had been tauhgt how to walk, smile, and hold our heads up, so it was easy. We then performed our pistol routine and our high kick routine. Exhausted, breathing hard, and smiling, we heard the promoter/announcer tell the audience "These young ladies are sophomores, and this is their last time to perform together as Rangerettes. I know if you give them a big round of applause, they would be thrilled to perform their kick routine for you again one last time?" Are you kdding? We've just danced two very energetic dances, and we're exhausted? Well, the applause built, the music started, our adrenalin kicked in, and we kicked our faces with exhilaration.
What type of dances did you do while a Rangerette?
Kick of course! Jazz, Pom, Military, and Prop.
What was your favorite dance/most memorable dance while in Rangerettes?
Least favorite, but beautiful,was the pom routine. It was the time before manufactured poms were readily available, and Miss Davis made her own. We are talking two feet of 2X 4 wood, with strips of plastic stapled onto them. They seriously weighted about 2-3 pounds each, and you were worn out performing the pom routine. It was beautiful though.
Was the uniform the same as it now?
Yes, the skirt was a bit longer, and we had a tiny red net petticoat that has been discontinued.
How did being a Rangerette help you to do what you do now?
As I mentioned before, the officer tryouts were a turning point for me. I decided right there that I would not ever again eliminate myself from something I wanted to do. I would never decide ahead of time that I wasn't going to be elected/chosen. I would "go for it" and let it be decided by someone other than me.
Questions about yourself:
What dance experience do you have, as a dancer and teacher?
I have some years of studio dance, and seven years on drill teams. Victoria High School Victoriadores, Sophomore Lt, Junior Lt, and Majore (Captain). Kilgore Rangerettes for two years, Southwest Texas State University Strutter (now called Texas State University). Drill Team director at John Marshall HS in San Antonio and Trinity HS in Euless for 13 years. Lifetime Achievement Award from Texas Dance Educators.
How did you decide to start Showtime Internationl?
As a Senior in Strutters, I received an invitation to help start a drill team in Duncan, Oklahoma. I helped them with their tryouts and held a two week summer camp for them. I had been previusly asked by Miss Davis to join the American Drill Team Staff, of which she was a 50% partner, but all of the junior staff positions were filled that year by the other owner's college-aged girls, so I stared Showtime on my own. If not, I could now be working for one of my very best friends, Joyce Pennington, who now owns American Drill Team. We laugh together about that.
When was the compay formed?
1973
Give a description of Showtime Internationl, what kind of events do you host?
We began our company by holding summer camps. Our business has grown to include hosting cmpetitions, college auditions, and producing Bowl game halftimes.
What are some of the highlights from your time as a dancer, teacher, and with Showtime International?
The Wave. One year in the 80's our San Antoni contest was so big that the audience could do "The Wave" all around the coliseum. Cotton Bowl 2009 - Our staff was incredible, we organized the trip beautifully, and the parade, pre-game, and halftime performances were stunning.
Any additional comments that you would like to share?
Being in drill team and working with Showtime all these years means everything to me. My role as a choreographer and instructor has changed and evolved into being the planner, which I enjoy very much. I love our staff - they are positive, cheerful, energetic, funny, and extremely capable. There is nothing I would rather be doing, and the things I've learned from being in drill team and from owning Showtime translate into many other areas such as planning a wedding and building a new house. It is gratifying when a student or staff lets me know that I have touched them or helped them learn something that makes them more capable or successful in life.
Back to Interviews Page