ART Review

Three student members of the Committee on Dramatics yesterday told the Faculty Council that the administration should promote a closer relationship between the American Repertory theatre (ART) and undergraduates.

The students were echoing the recommendations of a recently completed review of the ART and its four years at Harvard. The report asked the Faculty to establish an official liason between the ART and students.

Currently, ART staff members are committed to advising House dramatic groups. Holly A. Swartz '84 a committee member, said that was inefficient. Her group suggested to the council that the ART be required to give seminars and workshops for undergraduates as part of its new contract.

The ART, which receives 11 percent of its budget, or $250,000 a year from Harvard, as well as free use of the Mainstage at the Loeb Theatre, is negotiating a new contract with the University this year.

Student actors want the ART "to be more a part of the Harvard community," Swartz said. "Now it's as though there are two autonomous groups in one building, with very little communication between them," she added.

Robert S. Brustein, director of the ART, was unavailable for comment yesterday.