‘ NOVEMBER 23RD 1983 THE OTHER PRESS PAGE 7 OTHER-ENTERTAINMENT - Theatre re “1 don't feel justified complaining about facilities. We don’t have a lot of equipment but we have a few saws and things lying After being wiped out completely in 1982, this year’s theatre program has by Robin Robertson Sa at least got it’s foot in the door. This year, the Douglas College Theatre Dept. has -been granted $3 million facilities, consisting of; a dance studio; a studio thea- tre; the scene shops; and a 350 seat performance thea- tre. As well, a two-year, 17 credit course has been rein- stated offering Acting, Speech, Movement, _his- tory of Theatre, Set Con- struction and Production. Students have been busy rehearsing and building sets for the latest production of The Drunkard, a musical melodrama to be presented December cd 4eetas 1 8 | The Facilities are still unfinished but all are being used. “I do not feel justified about complaining about im- perfect facilities,’’ said de- partment - head Dorothy Jones. ‘‘We don’t have the money for a lot of equip- ment, but we at least have a few saws and things lying around. ““‘We are limited, but we are,’’ said Jones. Already request to use the theatre have been made by Theatre B.C. and the Drama Educa- tors Association. The program also has a record of never going over it's budget, (half of that three years ago), or losing money on it’s productions. When the original pro- gram was introduced in 1975, it was intended to run for two full years, but by 1976, the money had already started to tighten. Before this year, theatre never real- ly had a permanent facility. Because of it’s unique space requirements it had to be moved from campus to cam- pus. : From Sept. 1980 to April 1981, Dorothy Jones was on educational leave. During her leave, the Director of Arts and Communications Dept. cut the Set Construc-. tions and Production cour- ses. When Jones returned, Production was _ brought back but was thrown out again in 1982 along with Movement and Speech. From 1982 to 83, Jones was cut down to teaching half-time. The arrangement was based on a request from Departmental Director Dave Driscoll to the senior man- agement to have the pro- gram cancelled and_the the- atre position declared re- dundant. Recommendations were based on a need to make a 10per cent cut in the budget. ' It was intended that the money saved would be used in conjunction with VNIC funds to run short courses in Stagecraft Technology and to make the theatre space usable by September 83. Yet the Stagecraft Technology program was ranked at posi- tion 19 on the Budgetary vDecision Unit list and the existing theatre courses facility at a time when no one was even sure that a theatre program would exist at all, it was decided that Theatre and Music would be were ranked 27. Stagecraft was approved, but the provincial govern- ment let it be known that there was no funding avail- able to hold the course. Because of the ludicrasy of bringing in a $3 million turns to Douglas Douglas is the only one available to students in the area served by both Douglas and Kwantlen. It is also the only college in the Fraser Valley with a full program open to students desiring theatre electives with uni- versity transfer possibilities. Since 1975, approximately - 12.students have transfered to the University of Victoria and five of theses are now employed by professional theatres in Victoria. A simi- lar number were accepted The September issue of “The First Capital City News’’ containing an article on Douglas College wrote, ‘‘More than an educational institution, Douglas College will also be a performing arts: complex - an exciting new showplace in the heart of the city promising tre- mendous opportunities for the cultural life of New Westminister.”’ Because of the inspiration of Dorothy Jones, as well as the addition of beautiful new rom the Applied Programs division to the Academic division, giving them a more solid structure. Administraton reinstated the full two year course in June of 83. Instructors in the program include Dorothy Jones with Acting, Speech, Production and History of Theatre; Trudy Forest,Dance, and Drew Young teaching Stage Design and Scenery Con- struction. The theatre program at TL program and are now work- ing in the city. There is a pattern in the Theatre Progam over the jyears of about 50 percent enrollment levels, and in 1982, it tended to double. Plans for touring, Child- ren’s Theatre, a focus on Canadian Theatre, training for television, and Musical Theatre have all been con- templated, but sothing can be put into effect until more money comes in. : : 1B mM lOR DL, by Langara’s protessiona theatre tacilities, it would be a terrible shame for another threat to the cancellation of the theatre program to arise. In a letter to Bill Day last June, the Drama Educators of B.C. said, ‘‘We hope that Douglas College will demon- strate. leadership in dispel- ling the myth that arts programs cuts indicate false philosophical statements about what is to be valued in education. The theatre Pro- gram at Douglas College will be sorely missed.”’