Word: brustein
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There is absolutely no reason to believe that Brustein is seriously committed to upgrading the academic status of Harvard theater. In an interview last month, Brustein stated that he was ambivalent about credit theater courses, suggesting that committed students will work best when they are taking an extracurricular course. Later, he said that he was open to the idea of credit courses if students seemed to want them. Such ambivalence does not a "champion" make...
Moreover, he has committed himself to raising very substantial private funding for the company. Foundation grants are almost always awarded on a yearly basis. Every year Brustein will have to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars just to keep the rep afloat. There is serious doubt that Brustein would have time to crusade for undergraduate credit courses, even it it could be proved that he had any such desire...
...most dangerous assumption of those who back the Brustein plan is their bland assurance that the presence of a repertory company will expand theater participation at Harvard. The Crimson suggested that Brustein and the rep would "attract more talented and committed students interested in theater." Under Brustein's plan the number of Harvard Dramatic Club shows will be cut from seven to four a year. Admittedly, a few select undergraduates will be able to work in rep company shows, but participation will be limited to those students who have taken courses offered by members of the company. There is every...
While it is completely understandable that Brustein would allow only trained actors to work with the rep, it is essential to realize that very few students will be able to take rep company classes, rehearse a rep show and follow a serious academic program. It would be almost impossible to do any other extracurricular activity. It is likely that only people who are essentially disinterested in academics will be able to work with the repertory company at the Loeb. Only pre-professional dramaphiles will be able to rationalize the necessary time commitment. The Loeb will become, even more than...
...seems almost certain that Robert Brustein will come to the Loeb. He offers the administration an easy answer to a difficult question: How can the Loeb be improved? Brustein is the only person who seems to have thought seriously about the problem. He has presented the administration with a tempting plan. He can almost guarantee that the quality of the theater done at the Loeb will improve under his auspices with the help of the rep company...