Technical production program closing
The curtain is closing on the theatre program at the Fanshawe College St. Thomas campus.
Due to a continuous decline in applications over the past few years and the lack of applicants for the upcoming 2007/2008 academic year, college administration has decided to suspend the Technical Production Program (theatre) program.
According to Josh Gorman, an instructor in the theatre program, the Fanshawe's Board of Governors and Senior Vice President of Academic Services, Joy Warkentin, were behind the college's decision to suspend the program.
“Administration believed that there were not enough students in the application process for next year,” Gorman said. “The numbers were also continuously going down over the years in terms of applications.”
Every student in the program this year is in the final year of the program, consequently leaving no students left in limbo with another year left in the soon-to-be former program.
Gorman, who also performed as an actor in many of the programs theatrical productions, said everyone directly involved with the program were distraught over the decision.
“There are so many emotions right now, bitterness, sadness, it is really bitter sweet because I feel there was a lot of life left with the program,” Gorman said. “The students are really upset, it is a sad thing for them. I always brag about what the students accomplish here in terms of the set, lighting and sound, so there is definitely going to be a period of mourning. There is going to be a big hole left for me as a result.”
The programs first show was in 1995 and according to Gorman the program had grown significantly over the years. “A lot of people worked hard here, including Kathy Gerber, the former program administrator, and Michael Poole, the technical director, they turned the program into what it is today,” Gorman said.
The programs final production in existence, “Noises Off” had its opening night on Thursday, March 22. The play is a British farce by Michael Frayn and is directed by Jim Schaefer.
“We wanted to go out with a bang,” Gorman said.
The remaining dates for “Noises Off” include; Friday, March 23, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 24, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 25, 2 p.m.; Thursday, March 29, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, March 30, 7:30 p.m., and the closing night on Saturday, March 31, 7:30 p.m.
Ticket reservations for the show and further information are available by calling 519-633-4424.
Due to a continuous decline in applications over the past few years and the lack of applicants for the upcoming 2007/2008 academic year, college administration has decided to suspend the Technical Production Program (theatre) program.
According to Josh Gorman, an instructor in the theatre program, the Fanshawe's Board of Governors and Senior Vice President of Academic Services, Joy Warkentin, were behind the college's decision to suspend the program.
“Administration believed that there were not enough students in the application process for next year,” Gorman said. “The numbers were also continuously going down over the years in terms of applications.”
Every student in the program this year is in the final year of the program, consequently leaving no students left in limbo with another year left in the soon-to-be former program.
Gorman, who also performed as an actor in many of the programs theatrical productions, said everyone directly involved with the program were distraught over the decision.
“There are so many emotions right now, bitterness, sadness, it is really bitter sweet because I feel there was a lot of life left with the program,” Gorman said. “The students are really upset, it is a sad thing for them. I always brag about what the students accomplish here in terms of the set, lighting and sound, so there is definitely going to be a period of mourning. There is going to be a big hole left for me as a result.”
The programs first show was in 1995 and according to Gorman the program had grown significantly over the years. “A lot of people worked hard here, including Kathy Gerber, the former program administrator, and Michael Poole, the technical director, they turned the program into what it is today,” Gorman said.
The programs final production in existence, “Noises Off” had its opening night on Thursday, March 22. The play is a British farce by Michael Frayn and is directed by Jim Schaefer.
“We wanted to go out with a bang,” Gorman said.
The remaining dates for “Noises Off” include; Friday, March 23, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 24, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 25, 2 p.m.; Thursday, March 29, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, March 30, 7:30 p.m., and the closing night on Saturday, March 31, 7:30 p.m.
Ticket reservations for the show and further information are available by calling 519-633-4424.
