<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><blockquote type="cite"><br></blockquote>Crystal, I don't know how much word has gotten out yet about our situation here at Brandeis. I'm enclosing a letter from the design faculty, and</div><div>we have a facebook page up at:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=340628071843">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=340628071843</a></div><div><br></div><br><div>
<div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; "><div>David Wilson</div><div>Brandeis Theater Company</div><div>Brandeis University</div><div>Waltham, MA</div><div><br class="khtml-block-placeholder"></div><div><a href="http://people.brandeis.edu/~wilson/DW-Design/Home.html">http://people.brandeis.edu/~wilson/DW-Design/Home.html</a></div><div><br></div></span></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><!--StartFragment-->
<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">21<sup>st</sup>
February 2010<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Dear
Alumni, Students, Friends, and Donors,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">We have been informed that
Brandeis has a plan in place to cut the theater program by 35-40% by
closing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Graduate Design
Program in the Department of Theatre Arts</span></b><span style="font-size:
11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">As
you can imagine, the shock at this news is felt by us all, and I’m sure will be
felt by all of our alumni, students, friends, donors and supporters as well.
The Design Program has a long and illustrious history, a national reputation,
and many distinguished alumni including many of you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Adam
Jaffe’s statement:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>"The
Brandeis 2020 Committee is considering phasing out the MFA program <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>in
Theater Design, and focusing the Department of Theater Arts to a <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>greater
extent on undergraduate theater. No new MFA students would be <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Admitted
for fall 2010. By October 2010, we would determine whether <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>with
no design students and significantly scaled back production <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>resources
it is possible to have a quality MFA Acting Program. If yes, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>we
would continue the Acting Program in the new structure. If not, we <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>would
terminate the Acting Program when the current class graduates in <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>May
2011.”</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">The
faculty of the design program is very concerned about the effect of this cut on
the legitimacy of a theater program tearing the very fabric of the university
itself. Without design you ostensibly eliminate the ability to have production
and thereby undermine the integrity of the acting program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Theater Department becomes a
narrowly academic exercise where rehearsal never realizes its full potential
through production and is unable to engage the spirit of its community.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">The
Arts have been an integral part of the core of Brandeis’ educational vision
from its founding, and the elimination of one of the classic Arts programs is a
very troubling sign of the lack of support by the University to its founding
principals. As with the controversy over the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal">Rose Art Museum</b> last spring, the first course of action seems to be
an impulse to balance the budget through the elimination of the Arts on the
Brandeis campus. There seems to be little will or vision to defend any Arts
programs and more discouragingly, the value and role the arts play in education
and in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What hope is
there for a culture where the arts are so marginalized?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">A
recent study, a joint project of Public Agenda and the National Center for
Public Policy and Higher Education, found that most Americans believe that
colleges today operate like businesses, concerned more with their bottom line
than with the educational experience of students. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/education/17college.html?emc=eta1">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/education/17college.html?emc=eta1</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Unfortunately,
this decision only seems to reinforce this impression.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">At
this point, we believe that Brandeis University needs to hear from friends and
Alumni of the Theatre Arts program and all those who care about the Arts. Both
the Acting alumni and the Design alumni have different experiences, but all
were a part of the school, and all benefited from each other’s work. Having
Brandeis University hear from a broad range of alumni and friends, from many
parts of the country and many fields within all of the Arts, will help to
reinforce the importance of this program within the educational mission of the
University. Please help by writing to following people: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><br clear="ALL" style="page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break">
</span>
<div class="Section2"><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Jehuda Reinharz<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Brandeis University<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">415 South Street MS100<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Waltham, MA 02454<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><a href="mailto:jreinhar@brandeis.edu">mailto:jreinhar@brandeis.edu</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Marty Krauss<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Provost<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Brandeis University<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">415 South Street MS 134<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Waltham, MA 02454<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><a href="mailto:krauss@brandeis.edu">mailto:krauss@brandeis.edu</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Malcom Sherman<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Chairman of the Board of Trustees. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Brandeis Unviersity<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">415 South St MS 102 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Waltham, MA 02454<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">or at his office:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Gordon Brother's Group LLC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">101 Huntington Avenue, 10th Floor<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Boston, MA 02199<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><a href="mailto:msherman@brandeis.edu">mailto:msherman@brandeis.edu</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><br clear="ALL" style="page-break-before:auto;mso-break-type:section-break">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">We are sorry to have to
report this news, but please join us in trying to ensure that this
recommendation does not become a reality. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Deb
Booth</span></u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">, Head
of Design<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Michael
Chybowski,</span></u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">
Head of Lighting Design<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Jennifer
von Mayerhauser</span></u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
12.0pt">, Head of Costume Design<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Robert
Moody</span></u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">, Head
of Scene Painting<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Charles
Schoonmaker</span></u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">,
Costume Design<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Denise
Loewenguth</span></u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">,
Head of Costume Shop<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">David
Wilson</span></u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">,
Head of Sound Design<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">We
need help organizing and getting the word out:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Post
your thoughts to <u>Brandeis’ Facebook</u> page:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/brandeisuniversity">http://www.facebook.com/brandeisuniversity</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Post
your thoughts on the <u>Brandeis Theater</u> Facebook page<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=37043649499&ref=ts">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=37043649499&ref=ts</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Post
on Twitter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Write
to the Boston Globe, write the New York Times<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Forward
this message to your friends in the theater<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Get
the word out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">If
you know how to set up a website to save Theater Arts—please do it to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Set
up a petition drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Key
points:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">That theater is a
collaborative art form, an acting-only department will not be viable<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">That undergraduates
will not be able to take advantage to a professional design faculty as
they currently do.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">That a narrower focus
and lack of production will reach fewer and fewer students across campus
and diminish the educational importance of the department and meaningful
training in theater as an art for undergraduates as well as graduate
students.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">That the assault on the
Theater Department is a further marginalization of the Arts and a
continuation of the same policies that produced the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal">Rose Art Museum</b> crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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