Theater program at LTCC may be discontinued; Room being made for community theater model

With three productions a year, and just seven degrees issued in five years, Lake Tahoe Community College is looking at eliminating their theater program and moving toward a community theater model.

Theater staff at the college were advised on Tuesday that LTCC administration is recommending to the Board of Trustees that they’re recommending discontinuing the theater program.

Over the past 1.5 years, administrators have been going through a process that included research on program vitality at the college.

"We will probably recommend discontinuing the credit theater instructional program," said LTCC President Kindred Murillo. "The reason for that is its very low enrolled and doesn’t serve a lot of students."

It won't be the end of productions at the Duke Theatre though.

Murillo said they want to go towards a community theater model for future productions, where LTCC can collaborate with many groups who would be able to use the Duke Theatre for their plays. Examples for possible partners are Tahoe Arts Project and the groups that put on plays at the Boathouse Theater at Tallac Historic Site.

The college plans to put some funding toward the community theater model which they believe will bring more use to the facility than currently is happening.

The theater program at LTCC has dropped to 14 full-time equivalent students per year, and college officials would rather see money put towards programs where more students will reap the benefits.

An official process of eliminating the program beings with the next academic senate meeting on November 4 at 11 a.m. (the agenda is posted on line 72 hours prior to the meeting). Then the discussion moves to the LTCC Board of Trustee meeting on November 8 with a second review on November 18. A final decision by the LTCC board is expected in early December.

"Productions have already been mainly community members and it's hard to support a program that is just that," said Murillo. "There are needs for more students in other areas. This is not a happy decision for us, but we are excited about an idea of a community theater and would get it used more by other entities."

More community groups would be able to rent the theatre for their needs which has been very limited in the past due to school class schedules. The Lake Tahoe Historical Society rented the Duke Theatre for their Chautauqua in August but were limited to just being able to use the facilities during school breaks. Murillo said the availability calendar will open up with the community theater model.

Current theater department staff may stay on at the college in other positions if openings are available.