Dramatists Form Experimental Group

Discontent with the alleged lack of organized experimental drama at the Loeb's Experimental Theatre has produced a new Harvard drama group, the Harvard-Radcliffe Forum-Theatre

Thomas C. King '68, John S. Mercer '68, and Peter F. Rousmaniere '68, leaders of the organization, said yesterday that they have formed the group because "new dramatic concepts need to be discussed and tested here in a coordinated series of productions."

Rousmaniere added that they believe experimental drama at Harvard is now "disorganized and not very experimental."

The new organization, which hopes to establish an organized effort in experimental theatre, is now seeking faculty sponsors and administrative recognition.

Unlike the Harvard Dramatic Club and the House Drama societies, the Forum-Theatre will not be a production group, Rousmaniere said. Individual members of the organization will produce shows independently, and the Forum Theatre will discuss the members' production, ideas and problems. He added, however, that the group will sponsor experimental workshops in acting, directing, and writing.

George E. Hamlin Jr., assistant director of the Loeb, said yesterday that the Forum-Theatre could be "a good thing for Harvard's experimental theatre." He explained that "the Ex has been used largely as a training ground for the mainstage. If the Forum-Theatre encourages real experimental productions at the Ex instead of minor-league Loeb shows, it is to be commended."

Rousmaniere emphasized that the new group has no desire to run the Loeb's Experimental Theatre. "Administrating the Ex would be a burden to the club; we don't want to monopolize it either," he said.

The Forum-Theatre will not compete with any existing drama societies, according to Rousmaniere. "It will fill a role which they have never attempted to play--that of an experimental theater forum," he said.

Membership in the group will be limited to those who participate in specified experimental productions. Play-wrights and critics will have to submit samples of their work to become members.

Rousmaniere said that members of the group are now experimenting with the dramatic theories of Richard Shepard, co-director of the American Place Theatre in New York. They have used his methods in three plays, The icefield of the Absolute Encounter, objective Case, and Thousand-Eyed Lover, which were produced this fall at the Ex.

HDC president Peter Skolnik '66 said yesterday that he was pleased with the proposed goals of the Forum-Theatre. "Any meeting of minds in experimental theatre at Harvard is all to the good," he said.