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August 29, 1967 - Image 75

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Publication:
The Michigan Daily, 1967-08-29

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1967

THE MICHIGAN DAILY

TUESDAY, AUGUST ~9, 1967 TIlE MICUIGAN DAILY

Theatre in Ann Arbor: An ExpandingRole

ALL CAMPUS GROUP:
Glee Club Opens 108th Season
After Nine Week World Tour

By LIZ WISSMAN
Arts Editor, 1966-67
There are two theories most
often cited to explain the appar-
h ent health and dynamism of the
theatre in Ann Arbor. One re-
lates Ann Arbor to a general de-
centralizing movement in the
American Theatre, away from the
single tyrannical rule of Broad-
way. Another view is that the
drama is traditional to University.
0 life, where it enjoys an existence
unnaturally prolonged by the con-
centrated intellectual atmosphere.
Both theories have a superficial
application to the permanent
companies and the occasional pro-
ductions of live theatre ,in Ann
Arbor. But both exhibit a bit too
much of the heady optimism of
the American Cultural boom.
The "physical plant" of Ann

Arbor theatre is undeniably grand.
Few American communities of its
size can boast of no less than
three resident troupes of perform-
ers. There is the projected Uni-
versity Playhouse which will cost
over $4 million when it is com-
pleted.
But the recent failure of the
ambitious Ypsilanti Greek Theatre
has caused some observers to
doubt both the sheltering academ-
ic environment, and the depth of
our current Cultural Boom. Does
theatre in Ann Arbor signify a
challenge to the tastes of Broad-
way - or does it merely bring
Broadway a little closer at hand?
The most illustrious drama in
Ann Arbor is that produced by
the Professional Theatre Program.
In cooperation with the Univer-
sity, the PTP sponsors profes-

sional theatrical events through-
out the school year. The fall se-
mester is traditionally the time of
APA-the Association of Perform-
ing Artists, under the direction of
Ellis Raab. A repertory company
making use of rotating scripts and
players, the APA resembles the
kind of dramatic company which
formed the core of the recent
theatrical renaissance in England.
It has been selected as the sin-
gle American troupe to appear at
Expo '67, along with the illus-
trious English National Theatre
and tle Canadian Stratford Play-
ers.
APA. differs, however, from
these companies in that it is
neither a singular festival nor a
permanent resident in Ann Arbor.
The other half of each year is
spent in New York.

The same comment may be of Ann Arbor-principally

the

made about the PTP's 'New Play
Project," which subsidizes the pro-
duction of original manuscripts.
This theatrical project, as well as
the APA, often precedes a New
York engagement. Such planned
productions as "Exit the King" by
Ioenesco, which will be performed
in APA's Fall 1967 Festival, may
indeed improve the general fare
which is offered on Broadway. But,
ask the critical, will it provide a
viable alternative to Broadway?
The selection of the particular
play to, be used in the "New Play
Project" suggests that the stress
is not layed upon newness. Studs
Terkel, this year's chosen author,
has already amply demonstrated
his success with contemporary life,
if not directly with the drama.
The other dramatic companiesI

University Players and the Ann
Arbor Civic theatre-are more free
to experiment. But, like College'
and Little Theatres everywhere,
they sufer from a lack of time,
money, and facilities.
A third, and surprising, source
of theatre has arisen from the
University's Department of Com-
parative Literature. Last year's
production of "The Blacks" sug-
gested a new boldness of casting
and dramatic technique. But,
again, theatre is not the principal
concern of this department, and
quality is likely to be uneven.
Certainly, there is no lack of
quantity to the theatre in Ann
Arbor. But critics find it disturbing
that there is not experimenation.
As one student put it, "They
couldn't get a better audience if
they designed it themselves." In
the sheltered and highly subsidized
neighborhood in which it lives,
why is Ann Arbor theatre likely to
be amateur or comfortable, or
merely a trial run before "hitting
the big time?"
Theatrical Environment
Perhaps the answer lies in the
original assumption that Ann Ar-
bor provides the perfect theatrical
environment, ready-made. The
greatest success which was put on
last year, A.P.A.'s "School for
Scandal," was a familiar play. The
quality of the audience-the pre-
sumed intellectual elite-was not
demonstrated in hard, box-office
statistics. And, as Welter Kerr has
pointed out, a subsidized theatre
does not mean a successful theatre.
Above all, a play must have an
audience - whether or not that
audience provides the vital funds
to carry on. The majority of sub-
scriptions sold by the Professional
Theatre Program go to the non-
University community, or at least,
to non-students. Although the
perfect audience may be there in
theory, it does not appear in prac-
tice. And only a practicing aud-
ience can make its tastes felt on
stage.

By JILL CRABTREE state
The University Men's Glee Club, zatio
directed by Philip A. Duey, opens ed I
its 108th season this year after Cho:
completing a nine-week world sia,
tour. H
Made up of University students, on
the Glee Club is open to anyone Al
who auditions successfully. Only
about one-sixth of the members
are enrolled in the School of
Music. Seven other undergraduate
colleges are represented, along
with the schools of law, medicine,
pharmacy, and the Rackham
School of Graduate Studies.
Television Appearances
Because of its many television
appearances and tours, the club
is world-renowned, and has won
many awards.
In 1959, the Glee Club was the
first American male choir to earn
first place at the International
Eisteddfod (music festival) in
Llangollen, Wales.
In 1963 the group proved their
win was not a fluke by again
winning the Llangollen trophy.
Last year, the group wound up
their concert season with a sum-
mer tour of 29 major cities in 17
foreign countries. Departing on
May 15, they first toured several
cities in the United States, includ-
ing Denver, San Francisco, Los
Angeles, Honolulu.
Then they departed for Tokyo.
Following their stay there, they
toured Hong Kong, Formosa, New
Delhi, Moscow, Leningrad, Helsin-
ki, Stockholm, Paris and London.
During their tour, the Glee
Club has been honored at recep-
tions by the president of the Re-
public of Manila and the Lord
Mayors of Helsinki and Copen-
hagen.
The group was sponsored by the
University alumni while in the

The Production of "The Blacks" Suggests New Boldness of Casting and Dramatic Techniques
COMPETITIVE ATHLETICS:

!I

I-M Program Supplies Recreational Opportunities

By WALLACE IMMEN
Not everyone can make the
varsity team, but the University
still offers you a chance to be a
sports hero in the, intramural
program.
And even if you don't want to
be a hero and would just like to
relax after a hard day of classes

with an informal workout, the IM
facilities are available to every-
one on campus, whether student
or faculty member.
Initramurals offer 24 sports in
9 competitive classifications, each
holding separate championships.
Not all sports are offered in all-
divisions, however, with special

AA Sponsors Athletics,
Opens Gym to U' Coeds

line-ups for faculty, individual
sports and' international center
rivalries.
Rivalries are most brisk among
the large residence hall, social and
professional fraternity and inde-
pendent divisions. But groups can
reserve facilities for team sports
and spirited action may be found
in "pick-up" games as well.
Three non-competitive divisions
offer instruction from experts in
almost every sport, a co-recrea-
tional night once a week and spe-
cial programs for campus organi-
zations.
Most of the IM facilities are
located in the complex in and
around the IM building, which
stands near Yost fieldhouse. Built
in 1928, the facilities were design-
ed for about half the present stu-
dent enrollment and the program
has be e n increasingly- more
cramped in recent years.
The burden of the overcrowding
is being relieved by limiting the
number of independent teams.

Applications for these teams must
be submitted a month or more in
advance of the sport.
But a full competitive, program
is being offered as usual this year.
The only major sport not offered
is softball, which was eliminated
two years ago because the Univer-
sity's trimester calendar made it
difficult to play spring games.;It
was impossible to schedule soft-
ball games around football and
baseball.
The student's first competition in
IMs is usually in the residence.
halls. Here, an athletic chairman
elected by house members keeps
tabs on the sports coming up and
makes sure the house is repre-
sented by a good team in each
sport.
Making the team often consists
of just signing up, but in the most
popular sports it often means
trying out. Everyone who wants
to, however, can usually find a
position in his, favorite sport.
Victims of the overcrowding,

however, are Bursley and Baits
dormitories on North Campus,
which cannot play in residence
hall competition. A specially de-
signed sport center is provided
near Bursley Hall, and the units
will hold their own competition.
The competition is somewhat
more intense among the fraterni-
ties because some teams have
been working together for three
'or four years. The teams are
basically formed the same way
other divisions are formed, but
the play is for the honor of the
house.
But, the games must be played
Iunder a set of r'ules designed to
eliminate i njuries and keep
sportsmanship at a high level.
The most popular sports are
also divided into 'A' and 'B' pro-
ficiency levels to keep the com-
petition as evenly matched as pos-
sible. For the same reason, var-
sity athletes are barred from IM
competition to avoid "stocking"
of the teams.

By MARCY ABRAMSON
University coeds .who want judo
or horseback. riding or folk danc-
ing lessons should take advantage
of their automatic membership in
the Women's Athletic Association.
"If you are a female and a stu-
dent, you are a member of the
WAA," Nancy Davison, WAA
president, explains.
The WAA began in 1893 and
offered traditional swimming,
tennis, basketball, volleyball and
horseback riding. Programs have
expanded to include judo, riflery,
soccer, field hockey and gym-
nastics.
Increasing interest in dance
has led to WAA sponsorship of
the Folk, Square and Modern
Dance Clubs.

WAA also sponsors an exten-
sive extramural competition pro-
grom of speed swimming, field
h ockey and tennis. Intramural
competition in various sports is
offered to dorms and sororities:
"Spirit is often a more deter-
mining factor of winning than
ability in intramurals," Miss Dav-
ison said. "You don't have to be
athletically oriented to be an
active member of WAA.
The WAA also operates Bar-
bour Gymnasium for student use
on "free" activity nights. Students
may use equipnment as they
choose.
WAA clubs and activities are
announced iA banners and pos-
ters on the Hill and the Diag.

SAVE
AT
ULUICH'S
ANN ARBOR'S FRIENDLY BOOKSTORE

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YOUR HEADQUARTERS
FOR U of M MUSIC
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN GLEE CLUB:
White Tie and Tails ... On Tour
Songs of American Universities
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Kick Off, U.S.A. . ..Touchdown, U.S.A.
Hail Sousa . .. On Tour
PS. We also have U of M Songbook
417 E. Liberty NO 2-0675

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