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Center Stage: Undergraduates Search for Theater Space

Wednesday, October 17, 1951

College Places Theatre Higher on Priority List

University officials said yesterday that for the first time in recent years, the building of a theatre is high on the Faculty of Arts and Sciences priority list. At the same time, Warren Brody ’53, chairman of the Council’s Theatre Committee, announced that he had requested Walter Gropius, professor of Architecture, to draw up tentative plans for the theatre.

Initiative would have to come from outside before a theatre could be erected, President Conant indicated yesterday. The University has no free funds, he explained, by the faculty of Arts and Sciences has finished all its immediate building projects, and can appreciate the need for a theatre “now that places like the Brattle are not available to students.”

Conant noted that although the theatre project is high on the Arts and Sciences priority list, other University departments have more or equally pressing projects. He put the School of Education and School of Public Health in this category.

Previous Stand

The theatre project and plans for a big auditorium and overall arts center are two entirely different things, and should not be confused, President Conant warned. He pointed out that while he recognized the need for a theatre, he was less favorably disposed toward building a large auditorium.

In previous discussions about the theatre, the University administration had indicated that it would build a theatre only if it received money and substantial endowment expressly for a theatre. Both President Conant and Provost Buck indicated that they might earmark money for a theatre as soon as someone made substantial funds available for the building.

Brody said he had requested Gropius to have some members of his architecture class make models and drawings for a theatre. According to Brody, Gropius expressed interest in the project, but wanted further definite details before going ahead with the designing.

Student Council President Richard M. Sandler ’52 stated that he will meet with Provost Buck tomorrow to discuss the theatre project. Last spring, the Council approved a report requesting a Public Arts Center, which would include a theatre along with facilities for radio, music, drama, and movies.

Friday, January 19, 2001

Students Hope for a Bigger Role at Loeb Drama Center