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 1 §§ r Y r § ft § 1 Y § x 4Q M f § In epn ihoresalse rdto § weofra el f xross rswa itm§rtecle, it §u § § ReesbeCas Egad' iet-Fo 00 § 4 4 - -Th i.. YOUR HEADQUARTERS FOR U of M MUSIC UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN GLEE CLUB: White Tie and Tails ... On Tour Songs of American Universities UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN BAND: 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 I 11 HEADQUARTERS for STUDENT and OFFICE SUPPLIES OFFICE FURNITURE, TYPEWRITERS and FOUNTAIN PENS STUDENT SUPPLIES FOUNTAIN PENS all makes Supplies of All Kinds STATIONERY STUDY LAMPS NOTE BOOKS FOUNTAIN PENS LOOSE LEAF NOTE BOOKS TYPEWRITER SUPPLIES Rubber Stamps made to order --------------------- NOTARY SERVICE AVAILABLE Sales & Service (24 Hrs.) by Factory-trained men. CHAIRS DESKS FILES S T 7 mT 1T (? C IKI rmX! Lhb w- . II _-., 11it _ _ .. ~ . i I I