Oklahoma City Bahá'í Youth Conference

7/8/2016

Do you have memories to share?

I was 13 when mom cast me as Polly Sharp in her musical The Education of Henry Halifax. I didn't realize that I would be singing two solos and doing a little dance in front of 4,000 people in a rodeo arena. Oh well! I don't remember it bothering me at the time. Thinking about that now gives me the willies though, yikes! Does anyone else have memories to share about the conference, or the show?

6 Comments

Phil Christensen

7/10/2016 01:49:37 am

I remember the meeting at which the idea to commission "The Education of Henry Halifax" from Mimi was born. I remember looking at the registration lines of 4,000 Baha'i youth snaking around the convention center and wondering what they would think about the show. I remember introducing it from the podium in the convention hall: "Ladies and gentleman, The Education of Henry Halifax." And I remember hearing the audience start to laugh in the very first scene, as members saw themselves in Henry's situation. What a joyful triumph!

Nadia Balthazar

7/15/2016 02:56:00 pm

Now I know that I have to find time to enjoy " the education of Henry Halifax" that I downloaded a few days ago from Baha'i Publishing site. My friend's mom is involved and my friends sang and danced at its representation! Youpiiiiii

Donald Streets

7/16/2016 11:25:38 am

I have know Mimi for over a half century. I personally have heard much of her music. It is so outstanding! A dear friend and colleague, Dr. Daniel C. Jordan, America's first Rhode Scholar in music, and consummate musician himself has commented of the outstanding quality of Mimi's works, especially her musical comedies that highlight important virtues without being preachy, and with the superb talent and skills on the level of those by Gilbert and Sullivan, and Rodgers and Hammerstein. In her own inimitable and quiet way Mimi McClellan has given us a wonderful treasury of music that I believe shall endure for many years to come.

David Landesman

7/17/2016 08:20:45 am

This was my first Bahá'í Confrence, as a youth of 16. The Education of Henry Halifax was fantastic...we still remember it fondly and discuss it as something to replicate. Thank you Mimi!!!

Bahiyyih

7/18/2016 01:14:10 am

Just want to thank you for being alive, Mimi, and for giving so many people life and laughter through your music, your humour, and your all-embracing heart and mind.

Duane L Herrmann link

9/19/2019 07:38:29 am

I was a Baha'i youth at the time, pioneering in Hays, KS. I decided I would get to the conference no matter what. I had no funds, no vehicle. I got up hideously early one morning, walked a mile across town to catch a ride on a bulk milk truck for the 100 mile trip to Salina, KS. I faintly knew the truck driver and had a friend in Salina. It was a 100 mile trip of practically no conversation. My friend and I left the next morning for Oklahoma. At the conference I was one of those who camped outside.
The Education of Henry Halifax came as a complete surprise. I laughed my head off. It was so delightful to be able to see ourselves as others might see us! Most of the Baha'is I had known up to that time were so SERIOUS!!! It was time to lighten up!
The next summer, some of us in Kansas performed part of the play at what we called the Summer Institute. I was in it, and the audience loved it!!
dlh...

This is a photo taken at Green Acre Bahá'í School circa late '50s. Do you recognize anyone?