Theater group needs financial support to return to COD
A professional theater group that entertained audiences for years at the College of DuPage could return next fall if the school is willing to provide the needed financial support.
COD officials in May 2014 ended the school's relationship with Buffalo Theatre Ensemble after it had been in residence at the Glen Ellyn-based community college since 1987. Now residents and current and former students are calling on the school's board of trustees to reverse that decision.
"Since the decision to end the presence of BTE on campus, there have been campaigns for its return," Faculty Association President Glenn Hansen said. "Not driven by the faculty members, who advocated for the project within the administrative structure until they were told 'no,' but by the public."
The board hasn't made any decisions about what it will do. But trustees did hear a presentation Monday night about why the Buffalo Theatre Ensemble was eliminated at COD and what it would take to bring it back.
During the presentation, supporters said the ensemble provided a forum for artists, scholars, writers, students and community members to explore new ideas through the production of high-quality theater.
Students were able to watch rehearsals and performances at the school's McAninch Arts Center. Some of them got the opportunity to work backstage and even act.
"The mission of College of DuPage is to be a center for excellence in teaching, learning and cultural experiences by providing accessible, affordable and comprehensive education," said Connie Canaday Howard, a COD professor and member of the ensemble. "Buffalo Theatre Ensemble was a part of that mission and contributed to it and was a great benefit to students and community and the college."
She said the ensemble was a faculty driven initiative with direct educational benefit.
"It needs support and belief in these values to return," Canaday Howard said.
When school officials announced the ensemble would no longer perform at COD, they said it was for financial reasons. The ensemble received half its revenue from ticket sales and the rest through contributions that included support from the college.
But the group had to end its 2013-14 season early because it was facing the possibility of losing about $80,000 if it did the remaining shows.
Canaday Howard said one reason the group started losing money in the first place is because in-kind support that the school provided was taken away in August 2012. The in-kind support included design staff, services and discounted rent.
Administrators at the McAninch Arts Center also reduced the ensemble's schedule from 64 performances in a season down to 36 in 2013.
"The lesson is that fewer shows will not increase box office and attendance," Canaday Howard said. "Longer runs and aggressive marketing can."
Diana Martinez, director of the MAC, said if the school is going to bring back the ensemble, "let's do it right."
Martinez outlined a proposal that - if adopted by the COD board - would add about 60 ensemble performances a year to the schedule for the MAC.
The MAC would need to hire additional part-time staff for those performances, according to Martinez. She also said the ensemble's marketing budget would need to be increased.
As a result, Martinez estimates the ensemble would need $146,522 in financial support from the college during its first year. That amount is projected to decline each year.
"If you listen to the students and you listen to the faculty, there is a pretty strong case that there's this educational tie-in," Martinez said. "Do we want to commit to it with dollars? And that's the bottom line."