Rajee Solanki, a junior marketing major, can't recall the name of the play the department of theatre and dance performed last semester. Nor did she attend it on her own accord.
"I had to see it for a class, actually, it was something I had to do a review for ... it wasn't of interest to me," said Solanki.
This semester, the Center for the Arts hosted two plays produced by the Department of Theatre and Dance: "Michi's Blood & Farmyard" by Franz Xavier Kroetz and Andrew Lippa's "The Wild Party." Solanki, like many students, never heard of or about them.
According to Michael Formato, the department's production manager, the shows are meant to be low profile.
"We aren't here to pack people into the seats, we are here to teach the art of acting and production." Formato said. "It's all about the process."
Formato said "the process" is primarily motivated by faculty input and the need to offer students a wide variety of performing styles to choose from.
"The department runs on a four-year cycle," Formato said. "We try to give the students a chance to have worked on various theatrical styles in the four years that they are here."
For example, musicals are selected for one specific aspect of the production; depending on if they involve heavy acting, intensive dance, or classical orientation.
The other factor is the interest of faculty members, who propose scripts they feel passionate about directing. Although these plays and musicals must fall within the predetermined cycle for the department, faculty members have free reign within the criteria.
Although she liked the idea of working on several styles of plays, Mallika Pettengill, a theater and dance major, said, "Realistically, it doesn't pertain to everyone because everyone will not be cast in a show."
After faculty members decide what they would like to direct, shows are presented to a board of faculty and staff from the theatre, musical theatre and dance departments. The plays are discussed and a collective decision is made on which play to perform.
"There are smaller aspects that go into it, too, like budget and the acting pool," Formato said.
He said the shows are not pre-cast, but directors must have options for the actors available for the parts they are casting.
"You can't expect to put on "Hamlet" without a few people who you know could play Hamlet," Formato said.
According to Solanki, part of the reason she hasn't attended a theatre department performance at the CFA is due to a lack of awareness.
"I never see (any advertisements)... they should always publicize two weeks ahead of time because I never know about it," she said.
Although the department runs advertisements in The Spectrum and hangs flyers, Formato said their goal is not to sell out a show.
"There are so many people in the department who need to see (the shows) for classes, that if we publicized it a lot, they may not get to go," Formato said. "If friends and family also wish to attend, the department feels that there may not be enough room for those required to obtain tickets."
However, Pettengill disagreed. "It's important to have (non-theater students or parents) attend the performances. That's what theater is for. We don't do it for ourselves. Theater has a point, a message to give."
To further her point, Pettengill said she had seen the department's production of "The Wild Party." In her opinion it was "a good choice for the actors because there were a number of varying roles," but she "didn't get (the musical's) message at all."
Solanki said a familiar story would prompt her to see a theater department show.
"Maybe something like "Romeo and Juliet" ... something I heard of, not something that I wouldn't have," Solanki said.
Specifically, a lack of interest from people outside of the theater department placed a financial burden on their productions. Thirty to 40 percent of the department's budget is obtained through box-office sales, but according to Formato, "we lose money on almost every show."
Last year, the department decided to remedy this situation - in part. They will produce at least one "well-known" play or musical each year to help generate more money for future productions. In the spring semester, the department will produce the Broadway hit, "A Chorus Line," from which they anticipate high ticket sales.
Formato said he believes the department's current production, "The Wild Party," which continues this week, will help the department achieve its objectives.
"This show is going to be hot," Formato said. "The cast is amazing and it's going to be a show that people are going to want to see again."
