For now, the theater remains almost exactly as it was before Harvard gained control, with three of the four student groups still under its auspices.

But Technical Director and Adviser for College Theatre Programs Alan P. Symonds ’69 said previous agreements have kept it this way.  

“Harvard has a contractual obligation to provide [the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the Kroks, and the Pitches] with office space,” he said.

As for the available theater space, the Theatricals are better equipped than most student groups to handle the existing space, he said.  

“The theater space isn’t usable without equipment,” and with the budget that the Theatricals work with, they “can afford to have professionals come in with lighting,” he said.

“Another group would find the operating costs and organizational requirements prohibitive,” he added. “The Hasty Pudding can amortize the costs and staff over a 40-performance run. I can’t think of another performance organization that has that many high-priced performances of one production.”

The College has not yet determined which student organizations will use the revamped space.

“The actual program for the use of the renovated Hasty Pudding building has not yet been finalized and no decision has been made concerning practice and performance space,” Kidd said.

While the Pudding, the Harvard Krokodilioes and the Radcliffe Pitches have already been “grandfathered” for office space, they will not be the only groups to “use the building for practice space, rehearsals and performances,” she said.

In anticipation of the expected restoration, the Pudding has begun exploring other potential venues.

“The search for a space that is compatible with our particular needs is ongoing, until we are further along in the process I can’t really comment on the specifics,” Charles E. Worthington ’06, the co-producer for next year’s production, wrote in an e-mail.   Once renovations are complete, he wrote, HPT expects to return to the 12 Holyoke St. building.

“I expect managing rehearsal/performance time with other groups will work similarly to how it works in Harvard’s other performance spaces like the Mainstage and the Ex, with each show getting a specific amount of time in the space for load-in, rehearsal and performances,” Worthington wrote.

And some say that they expect the available space would be used frequently.

“It would certainly be greatly appreciated and never under-used, I think,” said Jeremy R. Funke ’05, vice president of the Harvard-Radcliffe Drama Club. “This would sort of be a good intermediate first step...I don’t know anybody in the theater community who would not be grateful for a more consistently available space.”

—Staff writer Margaret W. Ho can be reached at mwho@fas.harvard.edu.