The History - 1966-1976
In the Spotlight
The 1966-1976 decade began with the establishment of the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) Region I on the University of Arizona's campus. The region included Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California, and was formed to provide access to theatre throughout the region, create a children's theatre service, provide resources for teachers, and strengthen drama programs from kindergarten through the twelfth grade.
ANTA was very successful in establishing its program in the public schools, introducing creative drama programs in elementary and junior high schools, In addition, the children's theatre program, under the leadership of Rosemary Gipson, presented original plays by theatre students to large audiences in the Park Theatre, shopping malls, and city parks. Special performances were arranged for hearing impaired and handicapped children.
This work led to the development by Rosemary Gipson of a Bachelor of Fine Arts designed for drama education majors. The new degree, established in 1969, was designed to meet the drama education guidelines for the American Theatre Association.
In order to meet the increasing needs of productions written, directed and designed by students in the department, and to consolidate them into a more viable program, the Lyceum Theatre Series was inaugurated in the 1967-68 season. The Lyceum Series was to be produced in either Studio A, a theatre space created in what had been an old grocery store, or the Park Theatre.
Due to the strong surge in Lyceum productions, the department renovated Studio A the following year. By changing the studio to a 'black box' style, the space provided greater flexibility for staging. Students were able to use the space as a proscenium, thrust, or an arena configuration, increasing their experience with a variety of staging possibilities.
The Department of Drama continued to garner national recognition during these years. In 1968-69, the first American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) as held and the University of Arizona's production of Misalliance, directed by Robert C. Burroughs, was select4ed as an alternate. When Washington University could not attend, Misalliance joined the festival in Washington D.C., and performed in Ford's Theatre.
More recognition came from Washington D.C. the following year. Professor Marroney received an appointment from President Nixon to the Advisory Committee to the Board of Directors for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Marroney also served as a member of the Arizona commission on the Arts and Humanities at this time.
This national attention given to the Department of Drama underlined the need for better facilities. More students wanted to be a part of the program, and the department was facing the challenge of serving a larger number of students in facilities that sorely needed to be updated. However, shifts in University policies took the department off the high-priority list for upgrading facilities. The struggle for priority would continue through the next decade.
The end of this decade of the Department of Drama was marked by production celebrating American's Bicentennial. Two plays about Abraham Lincoln, Prologue to Glory and Abe Lincoln in Illinois, were produced in January of 1976. The two shows ran on the same day, with performances starting at 5:30, and a catered dinner intermission featuring Lincoln's favorite dishes. To accompany these performances, the Center for Creative Photography exhibited photographs by pioneer photographer Matthew B. Brady in the Lobby of the theatre.
The rest of the Bicentennial season consisted of American plays: The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, and The Pursuit of Happiness, by Lawrence and Arimina Langner.
