Save Theater Interns

To the Editors:

As everyone on campus is now aware, the College’s plan to eliminate all intern positions in order to curb spending has many destructive results. The plan’s crushing effect on the MRC has been well publicized (the College has now agreed to retain the intern positions for another year); what is not widely known is the plan’s effect on the theater and dance department and the opera theater curriculum. If the two interns in the theater and dance department are cut, theater on this campus will be crippled, and Oberlin’s vibrant artistic life will suffer severely.
The two Assistant Technical Directors (ATDs) at Hall Auditorium are intern positions. Without these two people, it is virtually impossible to build any scenery. They are also responsible for rigging and running performances, purchasing materials and loans to College and student organizations. Without these two interns, the operas, plays and dance concerts you see in Hall next year may all have to be on a bare stage.
But the elimination of these two positions has a more widespread and devastating effect. The Hall Scene Shop is also staffed by a Technical Director (TD) who is responsible for teaching THEA 172: Production Scenery and other specialty classes. The two ATDs who actually build the scenery allow the TD the time to teach these classes. It is very difficult for everyone to complete the Theater major if THEA 172 is not being offered, and it is impossible to get a solid and well-rounded grounding in the technical side of theater without this class. In addition to damaging our well-rounded theater major, the elimination of the ATDs has a very negative effect on student theater. Student directors rely on other students with theatrical carpentry experience to design and build sets for their productions. Such experience can only be gained through taking THEA 172 and working directly with the ATDs in the scene shop. The department was unable to offer THEA 172 this past year, and the effects are already being felt. It is nearly impossible to find anyone to build a set.
I am confident that our department will be able to prove the essential nature of these positions to the college during the review process. However, I am very concerned that by the time the College finishes its process of reviewing all intern positions, we will be unable to find qualified people to fill the positions. Although I am sure that all departments and programs effected by the cuts have similar concerns, the theater and dance department has already experienced staffing problems due to late searches to fill positions.
I would also like to agree with last week’s statement from Student Senate. The lack of dialogue and communication concerning the decision to cut interns is disturbing. Concerned students are now being asked to trust in the administration and be patient. Is it any wonder that students are skeptical when the initial decision was so sudden and seemingly secretive?

–Meg Morley
College junior