The History - The Nineties

Preparing for the New Millennium

As we reach the end of the sixth decade of the department's existence, we look forward to not only the seventh decade, but also welcome the twenty-first century. To that end, the nineties have signaled an advance in facilities, technology, and dedication to training theatre artists for the future.

The new Fine Arts complex was finished by degrees in the early nineties, allowing for a greater variety and versatility in theatre spaces. Not only were office space and classrooms added, but rooms were designed specifically for classes in voice and movement and musical theatre - spaces that required specialized flooring and large studio space. In addition, lab rooms were incorporated into the building's design to give students an accessible and versatile place to explore innovations in lighting and scene design.

The highlight of the new theatre facilities is undoubtedly the new Laboratory theatre. A five-sided experimental space, and the only one of its kind at an educational theatre, the Laboratory Theatre challenges students and faculty alike to create dynamic and innovative designs and productions. The Laboratory Theatre was officially opened in the autumn of 1994 with an epic production of A Tale of Two Cities, adapted from Dickens' novel by Nagle Jackson, which highlighted the limitless possibilities of the new theatre space. The following spring. They Shoot Horses. Don't They? Was the first musical produced in the Laboratory Theatre.

Not to be forgotten, the proscenium-style University Theatre got a face-lift, along with a new name. In honor of former department head Peter Marroney, whose influence was felt almost from the beginning of the department's history, the theatre was renamed the Peter R. Marroney Theatre.

Advances in technology have also been incorporated into the facilities and the education within the theatre department. The Marroney Theatre has seen updates in its flooring and its counterweight system; the Lab Theatre introduced innovations in seating and lighting; and the Triestman Center, a Macintosh computer laboratory shared by all of the departments of the College of Fine Arts, has been crucial in the education and implementation of computer rendering and drafting, allowing designers to explore their options digitally.

The department's consistent emphasis in the education and training of its students cannot be ignored. With changes in University-wide policies, the theatre department has reorganized a number of degrees, while maintaining the high level of integrity that allows students trained within the department to receive the quality of education they deserve. To that end, the undergraduate degree has been reorganized so that all incoming students take the same core theatre classes, and do not choose their specialty until the end of their first year. This allows them to gain training in the fundamentals of the art of theatre, and exposes them to areas they may not have thought of exploring.

The graduate degree programs have seen a number of changes as well. The Master of Fine Arts in Acting has been condensed to two years, with an on-site summer program that allows for more intensive work. Indeed, all graduate programs encourage students to seek out as many professional opportunities as possible, realizing that hands-on experience is as valuable as classroom theory.

Along with this strong commitment to the education and training of theatre artists at the University of Arizona, The Department of Theatre Arts also supports theatre education on all levels. The department has been involved with representatives across the state with the national program "Educational Goals 2000," which supports the advancement of all the arts at the elementary and secondary school levels.

Through this work, as through the changes and innovations that have occurred in the past five years, the department readies its students to face the future as theatre professionals. As we move into the next century, the Department of Theatre Arts will continue to hold this as its mission within the University and within the community.