By Nadia Harris
It’s a projection that reaches far beyond the stage and out of the theatre doors into the student body here at PPCC. The students involved in the technical program on campus have finally been given the chance to publicly speak out against what, to them, is a heavy injustice.
PPCC is scaling back on its technical courses due to low enrollment.
However, not all of the courses are being removed. The remaining classes will be transferable and can also count towards students’ degrees as electives.
Some courses, like Introduction to Acting, Acting I, Playwright, etc. will continue to be a part of the PPCC curriculum, and, in opposition to what many students have been led to believe, the theatre program is not being closed. The stage will remain open for productions such as the Japanese production, the showcase, and even small one-act plays.
Though the bases have been touched upon quite frequently in regards to the downsizing of the technical program, few have had the chance to hear from the students who are being directly affected by the new changes.
Taking this into consideration, we surveyed 15 students from Professor Michael Stansbery’s theatre class and heard what the students had to say.
The students were first asked for their opinions on the downsizing of the technical/theatre program. As can be imagined, none were too happy.
“I think it’s an absolutely terrible idea and action. I have gained so much knowledge, craft, skill, and technique through these classes that I wouldn’t be able to receive anywhere else. Michael Stansbery has shown so much in productions and classes that I wouldn’t be able to write it down.”
When asked if they planned to continue attending the college after the recent changes to the technical program, only five students said they were continuing at PPCC, nine students said they were transferring schools, and one didn’t know where she was going to go.
Desiree Edmundson, 18, said, “I plan to continue with PPCC, but the closing of the theatre department is forcing me to change my major to something I am less passionate about.”
Amanda Cervera, 20, said, “Nope. I want to switch to a theater major and now I won’t be able to here, so I will take my money elsewhere.”
To many students, the financial burden is even more of a strain than anything else. Many expressed their dismay in concern for the fact that they would have to switch to a more costly institution.
To those students, PPCC offered not only a great theatre program but the opportunity to attend for a price they could afford. Cervera said, “The theatre program here at Pikes Peak is the best program in town that people can afford.
Not only is the tuition affordable, but so are the tickets.” When asked how many classes they had taken already as students in the technical/theatre program, every student surveyed replied with having taken a minimum of three to seven classes.
For some students, like 20-year-old Luis Garcia, the issue went deeper than just low-enrollment. “I believe that the theatre is being replaced for the sole purpose of addressing an irrational fear. This irrational fear is terrorism, and PPCC wants to exploit this fear to make money.”
(Back to top)
|
|
