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SOU theatre arts plans wait in wings By DAMIAN MANN ASHLAND - Squeezed for space, the Department of Theatre Arts at Southern Oregon University has mounted a two-year fund-raising campaign to pay for an estimated $3 million expansion project. The theater arts building, designed for 60 students, has become too cramped, forcing 180 students into every nook and cranny, said Chris Sackett, chairman of the department of theatre arts. "It will give us a large classroom for some of our large courses that must be held outside in not too wonderful weather," said Sackett. Though it would expand the building by one-fifth its current size, the project would add not only classroom space, but a rehearsal space/movement studio, improved costume and lighting areas, more office space for instructors, and a computer lab that would aid in costume design and audio production. "The expansion project is critical if the department of theatre arts is to continue to offer the caliber of education that has created the demand for its program," said Sackett. Currently, students often practice in the lobby area or on-stage, which interferes with production schedules. Once completed, the expansion would allow the theater to house more than 200 students. If the school hired more teachers, Sackett said, the school could accommodate even more students. The expansion project is the outgrowth of a 1995 growth report as well as comments by guest artists, adjunct faculty and students. It was also detailed in the May 2000 "Space Needs and Conceptual Design Program" prepared by the Department of Theatre Arts and Ogden and Schmitz Architects. Sackett is hoping to receive a $900,000 grant that would be a boost to the theater's fund-raising campaign, which will not go into full swing until the fall. "We're going to get a little more formal about this after the summer," said Sackett. Tax-deductible contributions for the project may be made to the Southern Oregon University Foundation, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520-5099. Indicate "Theatre Addition Project" as the purpose of the contribution. For more information about the project, call Sackett at 552-6685. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.