Flexibility Urged in New Theatre; Stinson, Steel Oppose Full Merger

"Flexibility," James E. Stinson '59, president of the HDC, said last night, is the key to "excellent facilities" in the new Harvard-Radcliffe theatre. He added that when the structure is completed, "all students using it should have the opportunity to help control its use."

Stinson's concept of flexibility includes "flying sets" and a stage easily alterable "to permit proscenium, apron, and combination staging." He also proposed "a complete shop and cooperation between all theatre groups in lighting, props, sets, and costumes."

The president of the Harvard Opera Guild, Lewis M. Steel '58, agreed with Stinson's staging proposals, but added that an "orchestra pit, a turntable stage, and fine acoustics" were necessary to produce opera successfully.

Regarding cooperation between the various groups using the theatre, Steel said that it would be "best if the organizations remained autonomous, but that each had representatives on a committee for the technical and shop problems."

Single Organization Urged

Steel was in accord with Stinson's opposition to a complete merger of all theatre groups, but John W. Hallowell, Jr. '58, president of the Eliot House Drama Society, emphatically urged that "all drama should be administered by one organization, a revamped HDC." He advocated use of the theatre by all desiring to participate, including House members. "It is impractical to have eight or ten small groups," Hallowell noted.

According to Steel, however, the House groups should "remain autonomous and continue as individual organizations."

Stinson speculated that, since the University was investing so much money in the project, it would want a voice in its control. Hugh A. Stubbins, Jr., architect for the theatre, was unavailable for comment, as he is in Europe studying theatre design.