Trinity suspends acting degree course

Unshelved

From today's Irish Times -
----

Trinity suspends acting degree course

John Downes

Wed, Jan 17, 2007

The director of the Abbey Theatre, Fiach Mac Conghail, has expressed his dismay at the decision of Trinity College Dublin (TCD) to halt intake into its renowned three-year undergraduate degree course in acting studies with effect from this autumn.

He said it was essential that there was an "ample and continued provision in this country for actors to be trained at the highest, professional level".

The full-time course, which currently has an enrolment of 35 students, has been running since 1995 but is not financially viable, the university says.

Students on the course, entry to which is by audition, were informed earlier this week of the decision to discontinue it.

Unlike a similar two-year full- time diploma course currently offered by the private Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, fees for the undergraduate degree course at TCD are government-funded for first- time Irish or EU students.

The decision means students looking to avail of "high-level" full-time actor training of more than one year's duration could increasingly have to turn to British drama schools such as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) and London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (Lamda).

However, the costs associated with studying in Britain are significant and competition is fierce.

TCD took in 16 first-year students to its undergraduate acting course this year.

Mr Mac Conghail said last night: "I am dismayed by the news that the school of drama at Trinity is to end its actor training undergraduate degree programme.

"Ireland is known for its actors as much as for its writers across the world and it is essential that there is an ample and continued provision in this country for actors to be trained at the highest, professional level.

"Trinity College should be able to sustain such a professional acting training course and I think there is cause for worry if this ceases to be the case."

A spokeswoman for the university said it was "refocusing practice-based training in drama".

This would include the development of a new one-year postgraduate course in acting.

However, she could not say how many places would be available on this course or when it would be introduced.

Students would also have to pay for the one-year postgraduate course, she confirmed, and the level of fees was still under discussion.

TCD was also expanding its BA degree in drama and theatre studies, with an increased emphasis on acting, she added.

The university has recently undertaken an extensive restructuring process.

In a recent interview with The Irish Times, TCD provost Dr John Hegarty strongly disputed any suggestion that this could undermine the arts and humanities, which remained a key part of the fabric of Trinity.

According to the TCD website, its BA degree in acting studies is "the only degree-level professional actor training programme in Ireland".

A number of other institutions offer broader drama degree and diploma programmes which include acting modules.

The Dublin Institute of Technology runs a three- year undergraduate degree in drama (performance).

Separately, it has emerged that the Gaiety School of Acting, in conjunction with Dublin City University, plans to offer a three- year undergraduate degree in acting.

Patrick Sutton, director of the school, said the course was currently undergoing validation.

Students will be able to avail of the free fees scheme at third level once this is completed, as it will be to full degree level.

Current annual fees for the two-year course are approximately €5,000.

One source in the drama community yesterday said TCD's plans for a one-year postgraduate course would mean aspiring actors coming out of school would have to get high-level training elsewhere, before pursuing this "top-up" course.

Such a course would also be particularly appealing to non-EU students.

"You are not replacing like with like at all," the source said.
© 2007 The Irish Times

ARAM! A-A-A-RAM. A-RAM comes and acting goes ho-home...

europerson

I'm shocked. This is terrible news.

Crash

This broke a lot earlier than expected. Watch out for interesting events in college.

&#231

&#231 wrote: »

This broke a lot earlier than expected. Watch out for interesting events in college.

Like? Are you talking protests or what?

Crash

No, I just mean that its the first course to go under ARAM, and its gonna lead to interesting developments.

Awayindahils

&#231 wrote: »

This broke a lot earlier than expected. Watch out for interesting events in college.

Yeah University Council was quite interesting.

As for ARAM, it dosn't work, or it works but at quite a high cost to undergraduates. I hope that nothing else has to go but judging by some lecturers attitudes, there may be more casualties.

&#231

&#231 wrote: »

No, I just mean that its the first course to go under ARAM, and its gonna lead to interesting developments.

It's not though. It's just the first undergraduate course to go under ARAM.

BessBoy

Myth wrote:

It's not though. It's just the first undergraduate course to go under ARAM.

Hang on - how do we know that its ARAM? Other courses have been dropped and closed under the old method. Business with chinese/japanese comes to mind.
If a course is not viable financially, then a decision has to be made.
a) keep running it regardless of cost : probably not realistic as money isnt infinite
b) decide a maximum amount of 'subsidy' that the rest of the univesity will put into it ; uncomfortable, but realistic
c) transit it to something else.

Now, I think actors are great , but so too are engineers, and medics, and zoologists, and linguists and teachers. So, if the university spends money on this it has to spend less somewhere else. And, despite what the hype says, TCD is actually under-administred by comparison to any russle group uni in the UK.

And no, i dont have the answer alas, but am sorry to see this happen

Crash

among other things, there's an aram weighting issue related to the course.

also Hils, Uni Council was today no? was this the first certain college officers had heard of it?

Awayindahils

Apparently they all read the Irish Times and as such had had about 2 hours prior notice. But yes there were some interesting questions. And a lot of squirming.

Comhra....

Well after talking to the students and attending a school committee meeting this morning all I'll say is watch this space!

By the way this e-mail is being sent around. It was written by a second year acting student. It is long but please read it and if you agree with it copy and paeste it and send it on;

'What need you, being come to sense,
But fumble in a greasy till
And add the halfpence to the pence
And prayer to shivering prayer’

‘Romantic Ireland ’s dead and gone’ -W. B. Yeats, September 1913

Dear Friends,

I am writing to you about a matter of great urgency, which reflects very poorly on the value of arts education in this country.

Please forward this email to anyone you know who cares about arts education. We are launching a campaign to stop this.

Trinity College has announced the termination of its Bachelor of Acting Studies, the only degree level actor training programme in the country. This is due to the high cost of the programme and ignores that fact that it has produced distinguished graduates who have made an immense contribution to Dramatic Arts in Ireland and abroad.

What an appalling reflection on the second wealthiest country in the world (Human Development Report 2005, UNDP). Our neighbours, the UK , have 22 drama schools which offer degree level actor training programmes, which are accredited by their Conference of Drama Schools. In Ireland , two schools offer pure actor training courses; Trinity and the Gaiety School . The latter currently offers a two year diploma course, which it plans to turn into a three year diploma in the near future.

Ireland is renowned for its theatre and oh how proud we are to proclaim those famous actors, playwrights and directors our own once they bask in the warm glow of the limelight. Yet we run the risk forcing young talent out of the country by denying them basic undergraduate training opportunities.

What would Yeats have thought, as one of the founders of our national theatre if, one hundred years later, when Ireland is the second wealthiest country in the world, that we would sacrifice one of the finest actor training programmes in the country due to lack of funds?

Consider also the current theatrical context in which this decision has been made. There has been a great increase in the number of theatres built in Ireland in the last decade. We have an exciting younger generation of writers and directors emerging. But what use are theatres, playwrights and directors if we don’t have actors? High quality training opportunities are essential for young actors.

This is not a question of money; this is a question of our educational and cultural priorities. Are we so materialistic that we cannot see beyond the economic costs, to examine the cultural implications of this decision. Do we want to see mass emigration of young aspiring actors because we cannot provide for their educational needs here?

WHAT TRINITY SAYS ABOUT EDUCATION

According to the College Strategic Plan 2006, Trinity looks at the ‘civil, social, cultural and economic needs of Dublin , Ireland and the world' to inform their contribution to society. They aspire to be a ‘creative contributor and to promote an engagement with Irish culture’ They consider themselves to play ‘a pivotal role in helping Ireland to be the most creative and productive place to invent, work and learn, and the most civilised place to live and contribute to local and global society’

On even more specific terms, the Provost, in the Irish Times on November 22, 2006, claimed that ‘Building on a great cultural heritage, Ireland can be a world leader in the arts, humanities and social sciences'. He proudly claimed that Trinity was 'ranked 39th in the world and 14th in Europe for its arts and humanities' He said ‘In short, there is a compelling case to be made for greater emphasis on the arts, humanities and social sciences at the national level, and for increased public investment at undergraduate and graduate levels. This is clearly an area where Ireland can lead the world’

How can Trinity and the Provost reconcile these statements with their decision to end the Bachelor of Acting Studies programme?


THE SACRIFICES WE HAVE MADE

On behalf of the current and past students of the Bachelor of Acting Studies, I would like to say, quite frankly, that this is a kick in the teeth to each one of us, who has made significant personal sacrifices to do what we do.

We are young, passionate, talented, highly committed individuals who, by choosing a profession in the theatre, have put our passion for the dramatic arts ahead of financially secure futures.

We are the product of an intensive audition process, where twelve or so are picked from a few hundred applicants.

Some of us auditioned two and three times before getting on the course.

Some of us, who are non EU and therefore fee-paying, have had to seek sponsorship.

Many of us work long hours in part time jobs on top of a rigorous training schedule in college.

All of us train from 9 am till 6 pm each day in college and go home to read plays, learn lines and do other preparatory work.

All of us are delighted to get to work with a brilliant core staff: Thank you Eric, Paul, Andrea, Brian and others for helping us to live our dreams.

We are not complaining. We are grateful, incredibly lucky and joyful to be doing this.

It is a luxury. It is an educational right in this prosperous country that we live in.

Future students are going to be denied that right.

This is a national disgrace and a very great shame.


Thank you for taking the time to read this,

I hope that you will support us,

Yours Sincerely,

Christiane O’ Mahony
2nd year, BAS, TCD

Moorsy

I agree with everything said here within, AMRAM is a joke, but my issue, with consideration to under funding or lack of funds is the governments current inability to properly fund and essential see the vast benefits of the highly educated work-force.
And yes actors/artists are in the workforce too before anybody thinks that there wasters or lay-abouts.

Although college is to blame for it repugnant amram system, government must also be criticised for lack of funds to keep courses like the above going. University/education should not be seen as a business more it should be seen as a right.

Moorsy

Moorsy wrote:

Although college is to blame for it repugnant amram system...

Personally, I blame economics.

Pet

Personally, I blame economists.


Damn you, Enda!

Time Magazine

Myth wrote:

Personally, I blame economics.

Don't be so ignorant.

Time Magazine

Ibid wrote:

Don't be so ignorant.

...ever again alright?

Awayindahils

Moorsy wrote:

I

Although college is to blame for it repugnant amram system, government must also be criticised for lack of funds to keep courses like the above going. University/education should not be seen as a business more it should be seen as a right.

*cough* Labour Youth Hack *cough*

Tricity Bendix

Myth wrote:

Personally, I blame economics.

Why? Its Heggels' love of the science end that has arts courses being axed.

John

b.ie curious wrote:

Why? Its Heggels' love of the science end that has arts courses being axed.

I think it's more his love of money as the street-smart businessman that he is. Waiting for Godot? Looks like we'll be waiting even longer.

Andrew 83

At least with that extra cash splashing around that won't be spent on the course in the coming years it'll be easier to up the Provost's salary from the loose change.



(Yes I know that it isn't related)

BessBoy

b.ie curious wrote:

Why? Its Heggels' love of the science end that has arts courses being axed.

What other arts courses are being axed? None. So, dont generalize.

Moorsy

BessBoy wrote:

What other arts courses are being axed? None. So, dont generalize.

Its not generalisation it was stated in a report last year that courses which don't/won't be economically viable will be dropped. Noted were the language sections in particular in the arts section.

More from the times. http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/letters/2007/0120/index.html#1169233008676

CLOSURE OF TCD DEGREE IN ACTING

Madam, - Trinity College has recently announced the termination of its three-year professional actor-training programme,the Bachelor in Acting Studies, which has produced some of Ireland's finest younger theatre artists. This shocking decision was taken without consultation with the Abbey Theatre, which was instrumental in the setting-up of the course in the early 1990s. The professional actor-training course is highly regarded in the profession and has been of enormous value not only to Trinity College but to Irish theatre as a whole.

The decision raises several important questions:

How can it be taken when it is so at odds with recent statements in this paper by Trinity provost Dr John Hegarty ("Our academic community could lead world", The Irish Times, November 22nd)? Why, in this time of unprecedented prosperity, are we applying austere recession models of spending?

Why, when we as a nation pride ourselves on our rich traditions of language, literature and drama, are we not capable of supporting a serious training programme for our young theatre artists? Compared with other modern European states, Trinity's course has always been modest, if not under-funded.

It is well recognised in the profession that the proposed one-year postgraduate course would not be an acceptable substitute for the current three-year course, whose detailed training has produced such worthy actors. The current course is non-fee-paying and acceptance is through audition rather than academic points. A new fee-paying post-graduate course would automatically exclude many talented young people without adequate means or academic points, running counter to the Government's intention to make universities inclusive of all areas of society.

We heartily recommend that this decision be reconsidered as soon as possible.

- Yours, etc,

FIACH MAC CONGHAIL, Director, The Abbey Theatre;

DENNIS KENNEDY, Professor of Drama Emeritus, Trinity College Dublin;

PADRAIG MURRAY, President, Irish Actors Equity;

PATRICK MASON, ALAN STANFORD, CONALL MORRISON, LYNNE PARKER, GERARD STEMBRIDGE, PAUL MERCIER, JASON BYRNE, MICHAEL BARKER-CAVEN, ANNIE RYAN, MICHAEL KEEGAN-DOLAN, SELINA CARTNELL, DAVID PARNELL, JIMMY FAY, ANNABEL COMYN, JIM CULLETON, DAVID HORAN, WAYNE JORDAN, MARTIN DRURY, LIAM HALLIGAN, ANDY HINDS, JOE DEVLIN, MICHAEL BOGDANOV, RACHEL WEST, ANDY CROOK (Directors);

FIONA SHAW, DERBHLE CROTTY, PADRAIC DELANEY, KELLY CAMPBELL, AIDEN KELLY, AARON MONAGHAN, OLWEN FOUERE, MARK LAMBERT, TADHG MURPHY, EMILY NAGLE, RUTH NEGGA, PETER GAYNOR, GEORGE SEREMBA, DECLAN CONLON, GARETT LOMBARD, SARAH JANE LOUGHLIN, DEE ROYCROFT, AONGHUS ÓG McANNALLY, PAULINE HUTTON, CATHY BELTON, MOJESOLA ADEBAYO, CATHERINE WALKER, PETER HANLEY, JUDITH RODDY, ROBERT O'MAHONEY (Actors);

ANDREA AINSWORTH, Voice Director, The Abbey Theatre;

HOLLY NÍ CHIARDHA, Casting Director, The Abbey Theatre;

ORLA FLANAGAN & GAVIN KOSTIC, Fishamble Theatre Co;

JOAN O'CLEARY, Designer, THOMAS CONWAY, Literary Manager, Druid Theatre Co;

LORRAINE BRENNAN, KARL HAYDEN, TERRIE HAYDEN, (Agents);

c/o Abbey Theatre, Dublin 1.

And for anyone not willing or able to count, there are 61 names to that letter.

Tricity Bendix

John wrote:

I think it's more his love of money as the street-smart businessman that he is.

Agreed. Down with the buisness school!

BessBoy wrote:

What other arts courses are being axed? None. So, dont generalize.

Don't tell me what to do.

Myth wrote:

And for anyone not willing or able to count

If Maths becomes unprofitable, it may very well be the latter in years to come.


I'm quite angered by this whole development. Its not like the course was unpopular. From the sounds of that email, there was quite a lot of interest in it, leading to competition for places. If anything, one would expect college would be expanding this course in the face of such demand. But, alas, what do I know of administering a third level institution?

John

The course was very popular, the hoops most people had to jump through because of the demand for the course was unreal. To be honest, I'm appalled by it too, I do not think a subject's direct economic worth should be it's sole worth in the eyes of university. If they're serious about being academic leaders then they really need to act like academics and less like businessmen. Of course business and management skills are needed but not to the detriment of the university as a whole. And b.ie curious is right, the arts subjects will be first against the wall (as is seen here) because they don't bring in the cash like something like physics or chemistry.

b.ie curious

b.ie curious wrote:

Agreed. Down with the buisness school!

Wehey! It and IS Services are the only things I can see out my window!

Down with Arás An Phiarsaogh!!

Moorsy

Obviously people are not happy with the current situation, a course (courses if this trend is allowed to continue) being dropped because lack of funds and college heads asking for a raise because they're doing such Trojan work.

What should we as students do about it? What should USI or TCDSU do? Students have power and a voice. We are not alone, 61 signatures of actors, administrators and professors...

Does anybody have any opinion of what action we should take to try and ensure this deplorable debacle does not start to happen regularly over the next couple of years?

John

Letters to the provost and newspapers.

Quite simply, something. Anything. Call an emergency SU Council (15 signatures from members of Council). Make and place a piñata of Hegarty outside House 1 and let the actors take turns to whack it while in costume. It got onto page 3 of the Times ffs, so it isn't something which people would immediately fob off as 'stupid students protesting over nothing'. Do a fundraiser to get money for the course. Forward the e-mail noted below to your classmates.

I'm afraid though that it'll be a case of people not giving a **** 'cos it's not their area, so they're not affected. Of course, in the end more money is needed so it will have to come from somewhere if the course is to be saved.

King.Penguin

i think if you compare the resources available to trinity, and compare them to the universities in the top 100 you'll find trinity has a smaller income.

if trinity wants to be a global leader, maybe it should specialise a bit more. I don't think MIT teach classics or drama. Maybe a dcu model is more appropriate for ireland.

fiveone

Good thing theres already a DCU in Ireland.

King.Penguin

King.Penguin wrote:

if trinity wants to be a global leader, maybe it should specialise a bit more.

Top 39 in the world for Arts & Humanities? Perhaps they should specialise a bit more in them?

Tricity Bendix

Myth wrote:

Quite simply, something. Anything. Call an emergency SU Council (15 signatures from members of Council). Make and place a piñata of Hegarty outside House 1 and let the actors take turns to whack it while in costume. It got onto page 3 of the Times ffs, so it isn't something which people would immediately fob off as 'stupid students protesting over nothing'. Do a fundraiser to get money for the course. Forward the e-mail noted below to your classmates.

I'm afraid though that it'll be a case of people not giving a **** 'cos it's not their area, so they're not affected. Of course, in the end more money is needed so it will have to come from somewhere if the course is to be saved.

Would I get in any amount of serious trouble for burning an effigy?

All class reps should forward the email onto their classes, along with a call for some sort of action. A sit-in or something. I know I'm not exactly full of suggestions myself, but its been a while since I've had to waive a placard and shout slogans.

John

In all seriousness, I'm drafting up a letter.

b.ie curious

b.ie curious wrote:

Would I get in any amount of serious trouble for burning an effigy?

I was going to suggest it but went with piñata instead. I assume that there's something illegal about it, but I really haven't a clue. I'd guess, for one thing, the Fire Safety Officer mightn't like it

All class reps should forward the email onto their classes, along with a call for some sort of action. A sit-in or something. I know I'm not exactly full of suggestions myself, but its been a while since I've had to waive a placard and shout slogans.

Yep, completely agree. Would probably be better to strike while the iron's hot too.

If there was to be any action, would probably be better to involve some of the named supporters (i.e. not occupations but a march/protest/letter writing campaign/fund raiser). Though they might be up for some renegade student occupations, who knows...

Tricity Bendix

As soon as I'm sober I'm emailing Quinn. God, that sounds patethic. Mr. Curious feels helpless

Who you writing a letter to, John?

I can't seperate this issue from the proposed pay rise to university heads.

John

I haven't decided, probably one to the holy trinity of Hegarty, Irish Times and The Onion.

Tricity Bendix

John wrote:

I haven't decided, probably one to the holy trinity of Hegarty, Irish Times and The Onion.

Why only one?

What is the Onion, other than a specified tear-inducing vegetable?

Pet

He said one to, not one of.

And, The Onion is a satirical website, extremely funny by the way. Check it out.

John

Precisely. It's turning into a bit of a rant so I'm going to sleep on it for now.

BessBoy

King.Penguin wrote:

i think if you compare the resources available to trinity, and compare them to the universities in the top 100 you'll find trinity has a smaller income.

if trinity wants to be a global leader, maybe it should specialise a bit more. I don't think MIT teach classics or drama. Maybe a dcu model is more appropriate for ireland.

To all the 'appalled of D1' on the boards, a simple question. Should college always run a course, regardless of how much it loses?. What are the circumstances in which it can or should evolve a course from a three year degree (for which it gets less from the government than it costs to run, thereby requiring internal subsidies from other parts of the college) to a postgraduate course which can live or die on its total merits, academic and financial.

BostonB

BessBoy wrote:

To all the 'appalled of D1' on the boards, a simple question. Should college always run a course, regardless of how much it loses?. `...

It would depend on how much value (other than money) the college gains from such a course.

BessBoy

BostonB wrote:

It would depend on how much value (other than money) the college gains from such a course.

thats not the issue - of course its great to have an acting degree (BTW - why was it 3 and not 4 years). It will be great to have an acting masters degree. My q was when and in what circumstances should a course be changed or dropped.

If the answer is never thats fine, but at what cost? Like it or not the university works in the real, monetary, economy. It has x income to spread over y courses. It can only increase the income via research grants, or fees. It cant charge fees for undergrads. Some undergrad courses cost more to run than the govt grants to the university. So theres a deficit which has to come from somewhere. Thats a circle that cant be squared.

So my question again is this - what are the circumstances where the course can be dropped? Must perceptions of acadmeic quality always trump money? What if we have the best course in the world in something and it costs 1m€ to run more than it takes in from various courses? Where in the system does that €1m come from. Im sure that the acting degree wasnt costing that, but its a matter of degree, not kind.

BostonB

You might have a course, that while itself doesn't make a profit make the college more attractive. Kinda like a Loss Leader.

BessBoy

BostonB wrote:

You might have a course, that while itself doesn't make a profit make the college more attractive. Kinda like a Loss Leader.

Ok - but how much... And how many people decided to do med or math or french because there was a three year degree in acting?

Crash

I think its slightly difficult for anyone to make a statement on that one BessBoy, without the figures and stats to go with it.

BessBoy

&#231 wrote: »

I think its slightly difficult for anyone to make a statement on that one BessBoy, without the figures and stats to go with it.

Well, it was mainly meant rhetorically, but yeah. However, in the absence of specific figures can we all assume a few things
1) the college officers and board didnt terminate this degree in a fit of anti-arts machiaevellianisim
2) there were compellign financial reasons to do so
3) there is an assumption that the repositioning will not overly harm the image, future or direction of the college.

Time Magazine

BessBoy wrote:

Should college always run a course, regardless of how much it loses?

Of course not.

It's far easier to tell when two people aren't in love as opposed to when they are. Similarly it's far easier to tell when a course should not be cut as opposed to when it should. I think a fairly certain absolute rule to preventing a course being ended is whether it's the only one in the country and it's still attracting an interest.

BostonB

BessBoy wrote:

Ok - but how much... And how many people decided to do med or math or french because there was a three year degree in acting?

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