Despite Faust’s vocal support for the arts, the possibility for substantial growth in any one area of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences appears small. FAS Dean Michael D. Smith—who controls the distribution of faculty searches in FAS—told The Crimson in November that he plans to decrease the size of the Faculty through attrition and a retirement program in order to combat FAS’ deficit.

Some students say they prefer to focus on other academic subjects while remaining involved in drama. English concentrator Matthew I. Bohrer ’10 says that he relishes being able to focus on English while pursuing Dramatic Arts as a secondary field and participating in student-run productions.

“I realized that if I was coming to Harvard, I wanted to take advantage of all the traditional academic opportunities that there are,” he says.

But others say they would support a concentration in the Dramatic Arts. Bendorf, who created her own concentration, says that having a clearly defined advising structure would make it easier for students to pursue their interests.

She also says that since Harvard’s theater productions are student-run, she now understands the technical aspects of theater in addition to how to act. With theater resources in their current form, Harvard has “given her more than any other school could have.”

David J. Smolinsky ’11, who is involved in theater, including the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, says that he thinks a concentration would “only enhance” student-run productions. “The amazing thing about Harvard is the freedom to pursue your extracurricular activity, so I don’t think it would impinge on the ability to carry out a similar extracurricular program,” he says.

Because of financial difficulties and student ambivalence, it appears unlikely that a Dramatic Arts concentration will be developed soon. But with students shaping resources to their interests and learning how to independently lead their own productions, it appears that for some aspiring actors and directors, Harvard’s decentralization of theater opportunities may be an advantage.

—Staff writer Monika L.S. Robbins can be reached at mrobbins@college.harvard.edu.