Students Upset Over ART Ouster

The interim Undergraduate Technical Director of the Loeb Theatre learned yesterday he will not receive the job permanently, much to the chagrin of students who say he is crucial to dramatics at the College.

After conducting a national search, the Standing Committee on Dramatic Arts informed Alan P. Symonds '69 yesterday that another candidate had been chosen for the job, committee members said yesterday.

But more than 125 students involved in undergraduate theater signed a petition in support of Symonds.

Celeste R. Young '94, who has done technical work on a number of productions with Symonds, said she is pessimistic about the future of undergraduate drama without Symonds.

"The [American Repertory Theatre] doesn't give us anyone as a mentor. No one else would take the time to make things work and work safely," she said.

Young attributed the failure of the committee to hire Symonds to political reasons.

"I think it's a big political mess that no one really understands," she said. "I wouldn't say they don't know how much we need Alan, but I don't see how else they could let him go."

Susanna P. Witt '95, a member of the Gilbert and Sullivan players, said the general opinion among students is that Symonds has been treated unfairly.

"Obviously I don't have the complete story, but the impression that students got was that he wasn't hired because of ART politics, that they wanted someone to do more for them and less for student productions," Witt said.

Symonds has served as interim director for approximately a year and a half, and was one of three candidates under final review, committee Chair Michael P. Shinagel said yesterday.

Shinagel declined to name Symonds' successor. Loeb officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Shinagel said the decision was made during the past ten days. He said that the committee, which received input from the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatics Club, focused on technical experience and teaching qualifications as primary hiring criteria.

"He's someone who served the College well--I don't want to minimize what he committed," said Shinagel. "We were looking for a technical director who also could teach [classes in theater]."

Shinagel said the new director would be asked to be involved in student productions. But students said they doubted the devotion of a new director to undergraduate dramatics could match that of Symonds.

"He works over 100 hours a week," said Michael D. Rosenbaum '94, who circulated the petition supporting Symonds. Rosenbaum, president of the Harvard-Radcliffe Gilbert and Sullivan Players, is a Crimson editor.

"He gives out his beeper number, his home number, his truck number to students," Rosenbaum said. "He basically does everything and is completely in touch with what is going on in theater around campus."

Symonds plays a key role in ensuring the success of undergraduate theater, students said.

"The American Repertory Theater is supposed to oversee and support student theater, but Alan Symonds is the only person genuinely committed to this kind of support," Rosenbaum said

Symonds has served as interim director for approximately a year and a half, and was one of three candidates under final review, committee Chair Michael P. Shinagel said yesterday.

Shinagel declined to name Symonds' successor. Loeb officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Shinagel said the decision was made during the past ten days. He said that the committee, which received input from the Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatics Club, focused on technical experience and teaching qualifications as primary hiring criteria.

"He's someone who served the College well--I don't want to minimize what he committed," said Shinagel. "We were looking for a technical director who also could teach [classes in theater]."

Shinagel said the new director would be asked to be involved in student productions. But students said they doubted the devotion of a new director to undergraduate dramatics could match that of Symonds.

"He works over 100 hours a week," said Michael D. Rosenbaum '94, who circulated the petition supporting Symonds. Rosenbaum, president of the Harvard-Radcliffe Gilbert and Sullivan Players, is a Crimson editor.

"He gives out his beeper number, his home number, his truck number to students," Rosenbaum said. "He basically does everything and is completely in touch with what is going on in theater around campus."

Symonds plays a key role in ensuring the success of undergraduate theater, students said.

"The American Repertory Theater is supposed to oversee and support student theater, but Alan Symonds is the only person genuinely committed to this kind of support," Rosenbaum said