When a group of UCLA musical theater students voiced their
concern about the possibility of three of their professors leaving,
they were not acting.
The students are concerned about the quality of their education
after three of the four vocal teachers were notified that they may
be released from the department next year. The group of students
met with the department chair on Tuesday to discuss what is in
store.
William Ward, chairman of the theater department, explained that
the program has lost a significant amount of funding in the past
and expects to lose additional funds as a result of the current
proposed budget.
He added that the budget is not the only reason behind the
possible cut in staffing.
“Staffing has to be in line with student
enrollment,” Ward said, adding that the number of students
admitted yearly to the program has been reduced from 18 to 14.
Ward said students were concerned that the cuts to staff will
negatively affect the quality of the education that they came to
UCLA for.
The three professors that are involved with the vocal aspect of
the Ray Bolger Musical Theater Program, a relatively small program
in the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, have recently
received notifications stating that their contracts may not be
renewed.
“The teaching of singing is a very intimate
relationship,” said Gary Busby, the director for the vocal
division and one of the professors being released.
In comparison to the dance and acting aspects of the program, he
said that singing consists of intangible qualities, and he spoke of
both the mental and spiritual relationship between students and
their instructors.
“Students are upset because they lost that
relationship,” Busby said.
Students also say this loss would directly affect them.
“It’s about our education,” said Peter
Musante, a third-year musical theater student.
The students had initiated a conversation with the department
last Thursday when they presented the department heads with a
letter requesting that information be provided about the decisions
being made regarding the future of the program.
Other than budget issues, curriculum and programming changes are
also factors affecting the decision.
“(We) want to provide a program that is organic, alive and
fresh,” Ward said.
In their letter, the students also asked for a chance to be more
involved and to have a voice when it comes to the development of
new programs within the department.
Musante said they were granted that voice at the meeting with
the chair Tuesday. During the meeting, they decided to establish
representatives to meet with department heads in the future to
discuss classes, professors and program issues.
The student representatives would be chosen by students of each
class level and act as middlemen between their classmates and the
department administration.
Ward said these students will provide feedback and have the
opportunity to communicate with the heads about different aspects
of their education.
“Regardless of these people leaving, we want to take the
future of the program in our own hands,” Musante said.
At this point, there are no specific plans for next year
regarding professor replacements or programs.
“I have not been solicited for advice for the
future,” Busby said.