TUESDAY, AUGUST 29,196"o
THE MICHIGAN DAILY
of TUEDA, UGST 9,19 TE MCH.A DI
'Theatre in Ann Arbor:An ExpandingRole
By LIZ WISSMAN
Arts Editor, 1966-67
There are two theories ;most
often cited to explain the appar-
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
: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 the 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 isj
spent in New York.
The same comment may be of Ann Arbor-principally
made about the PTP's 'New Play University Players and the
Project," which subsidizes the pro- Arbor Civic theatre-are more
duction of original manuscripts. 'to experiment. But, like C(
This theatrical project, as well as and Little Theatres everyw
the APA, often precedes a New they sufer from a lack of
York engagement. Such planned money, and facilities.
productions as "Exit the King" by A third, and surprising, s
Ioenesco, which will be performed of theatre has arisen from
in APA's Fall 1967 Festival, may University's Department of t
indeed improve the general fare parative Literature. Last y
which is offered on Broadway. But, production of "The Blacks"
ask the critical, will it provide a gested a new boldness of ca
viable alternative to Broadway? and dramatic technique.
The selection of the particular again, theatre is not the prin
play to, be used in the "New Play concern of this department,
Project" suggests that the stress quality is likely to be unev
is not layed upon newness. Studs Certainly, there is no lac
Terkel, this year's chosen author, quantity to the theatre in
has already amply demonstrated Arbor But critics find it distu
his success with contemporary life, that there is not experimena
if not directly with the drama. As one student put it, "
The other dramatic companies couldn't get a better audien
they designed it themselves.
the sheltered and highly subsi
neighborhood in which it1
why is'Ann Arbor theatre like
be amateur or comfortabe
merely a trial run before "hi
the big time?"
Theatrical Environment
Perhaps the answer lies in
original assumption that Ann
bor provides the perfect theat
S: environment, ready-made.
s ? greatest success which was pu
last year, A.P.A.'s "School
Scandal," was a familiar play.
quality of the audience-the
sumed intellectual elite-Was
demonstrated in hard, box-o
statistics. And, as Welter Kerr
pointed out, a subsidized the
does not mean a successful the
Above all, a play must hav
audience - whether or not1
° raudience provides the vital f
x x to carry on. The majority of
scriptions sold by the Professi
Theatre Program go to the r
x ~University community, or at le
to non-students. Although
perfect audience may be the
x theory, it does not appear in p
A, y tice. And only a practicinga
ience can make its tastes fel
)ramatic Techniques stage.
ional Opportunities
Applications for these teams must however, are Bursley and B
be submitted a month or more in dormitories on North Cam
advance of the sport. which cannot play in resid
But a full competitive program hall competition. A specially
is being offered asusual this year. signed sport center is prov
The only major sport not offered near Bursley Hall, and the u
is softball, which was eliminated will hold their own competitia
two years ago because the Univer- The competition is some
sity's trimester calendar made it more intense among the frate
difficult to play spring games It ties because some teams 1
was impossible to schedule soft-
ball games around football and been working together for t
baseball. or four years. The teams
The student's first competition in basically formed the same
IMs is usually in the residence other divisions are formed,
halls. Here, an athletic chairman the play is for the honor of
elected by house members keeps house.
tabs on the sports coming up and But, the games must be pL
makes sure the house is repre- under a- set of rules designe
sented by a good team in each eliminate i n j u r i e s and 1
sport, sportsmanship at a high levi
Making the team often consists The most popular sports
of just signing up, but in the most also divided into 'A' and 'B'I
popular sports it often means ficiency levels to keep the c
trying out. Everyone who wants petition as evenly matched as
to, however, can usually find a sible. For the same reason,,
sity athletes are barred from
position in his favorite sport. competition to avoid "stock
Victims of the overcrowding, of the teams.
the
Ann
free
allege
'here,
time,
ource
the
Com-
Year's
sug-
sting
But,
cipal
and
en.
k of
Ann
rbing
tion.
They
ce if
" In
ized
lives,
,ly to
or
.tting
the
Ar-1
rical
The
t on
for
The
pre-
not
ffice
'has
eatre
atre.
e an
that
unds
sub-
.onal
non-
east,
the
e in
rac-
aud-
ALL CAMPUS GROUP:
Glee Club Opens 108th Seasoi
Ater Nine Week W orld T our
By JILL CRABTREE states, and by a variety of organi- raised by the club itself, thro
The University Men's Glee Club, zations overseas. They were host- revenues from concerts and I
directed by Philip A. Duey, opens ed by the Sputnik Youth-Group ious fund raising activities.
its 108th season this year after Chorus during their stay in Rus- At this writing, the Glee C
completing a nine-week world sia, and stayed with families in is on its way to Llangollen, Wa
tour.'r
Made up of University students, Hong Kong and Bangkok. to compete for the third time
the Glee Club is open to anyone All fuids for the tour were the music festival there
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. A
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. 'U' Glee Club Recently Returned from a
The group was sponsored by the
University alumni while inth Successful World Tour
The Production of "The Blacks" Suggests New Boldness of Casting and B
COMPETITIVE ATHLETICS:
1-M Program Supplies iecreati
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
'a a. hn . dr l wmild i t,'f lik to
with an informal workout, the IM
facilities are available to every-
one on campus, whether student
or fadulty member.
Intramurals offer 24 sports in
9 competitive classifications, each
holding separate championships.
Nt AA oh nrtstaren ffered in all
De a nero anu woul Jusu Ie puIU l lou li:ultu11tl
relax after a hard day of classes divisions, however, with special
A'Sponsors A thleics,
Oens Gy1,m to U'Coeds
By MARCY ABRAMSON WAA also sponsors an exten-
University coeds who want judo sive extramural competition pro-
t
line-ups for faculty, individual
sports and international center
rivalries.
Rivalries are most brisk amongI
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 b e e n increasingly more
cramped in recent years.
The burden of the overcrowding
is being relieved by limiting the
number of independent teams.
l
I'
9
3
7
i
P
1
or horseback riding or folk danc
ing lessons should take advanta
of their automatic membership':
the Women's Athletic Associatio
"If you are a female and a stu
dent, you are a member of tb
WAA," Nancy Davison, WA
president, explains.
The WAA began in 1893 an
offered traditional swimmin
tennis, basketball, volleyball an
horseback riding. Programs hav
expanded to include fudo, rifler
soccer, field hockey and gym
nastics.
Increasing interest in dan
has led to WAA sponsorship
the Folk, Square and Moder
Dance Clubs.
c- grom of speed swimming, field
ge hockey and tennis. Intramural
in competition in various sports is
n. offered to dorms and sororities.
u- "Spirit is often a more deter-
he mining factor of winning than
A ability in intramurals," Miss Dav-
ison said. "You don't have to be
id athletically oriented to be an
g, active member of WAA."
ve The WAA also operates Bar-
, bour Gymnasium for student use
- on "free" activity nights. Students
may use equipment as they
ce choose.
of WAA clubs and activities are
n announced in banners and pos-
ters on the Hill and the Diag.
SAVE
AT
aits >
1pus,
,ence
de-
ided
units
n.
what
~rni- §
have
three
are
way
but
the
ayed
d to
keep §
el.
are
pro-
om-
pos-Ygi
var-
IM
ing" *
$9
I x
In eePing with our established tradition
w e offer a wealth of luxurious spf)orts wear
items for the coll./gPe girl,
* Skirts - From England & Scotland- From 21.00
Sweaters - From England & Scotland - From 14.50
Shirts and Blouses - Finest makers - Frorm 5.95
Tweed Coats -- England's Finest -- From 100.00
Rain Coats -- Burberry & London Fog -- From 37.50
Reversble Coats - Englands Fmnest - From 90.00
44
,,.._ - , 1
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
P.S. We also have U of M Songbook
417 E. Liberty NO 2-0675
]l
UIJCH'S
ANN ARBOR'S FRIENDLY BOOKSTORE
i
'I1
HEADQUARTERS for
STUDENT and OFFICE SUPPLIES
OFFICE FURNITURE, TYPEWRITERS and FOUNTAIN PENS
STUDENT SUPPLIES
STATIONERY
STUDY LAMPS
FOUNTAIN PENS all makes
Supplies of All Kinds
NOTE BOOKS
FOUNTAIN PENS
LOOSE LEAF NOTE BOOKS
TYPEWRITER SUPPLIES
Rubber Stomps made to order
-------------- -
NOTARY SERVICE AVAILABLE
Sales & Service
(24 Hrs.)
by Factory-trained men.
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