Drama Festival
CONFIRMATION of the announcement of proposed plans for an annual Summer Drama Festival to be held in Hanover was made by President Hopkins shortly before the start of the college year.
The Dramatists' Guild of New York City has announced its acceptance of an invitation from President Hopkins to use the new Dartmouth theater plant which it is hoped will be available in the not distant future. President Hopkins said that the Trustees of Dartmouth accepted the report of a special faculty-administrative committee at their June meeting, recommending the construction of a plant to include a large auditorium and a smaller theater. The estimated cost of the building is $1,000,000. The beginning of construction and adoption of plans for establishing the Summer Theater, or Drama Festival, in Hanover are now contingent upon securing the necessary funds for the project.
The need for an auditorium to accommodate the entire student body and faculty of the College and designed for use as a theater and concert hall as well has long been felt at Dartmouth. The proposed building will also answer the pressing requirement lor new headquarters of the Music Department and for offices and practice rooms for several of the non-athletic student organizations such as The Players, glee club, band, student orchestras, and other groups. The need for new and enlarged theater facilities has been especially keenly felt in connection with the activities of The Players, student dramatic organization. The auditorium seating 2700 may readily be converted into a theater seating 900 according to the plan. A little theater seating about 400 and also equipped with modern theatrical and lighting equipment will answer a further need for accommodating dramatic and musical programs for smaller audiences.
WILL HOLD ENTIRE COLLEGE
The auditorium is designed to meet a primary need of providing a meeting place for the entire College at its great occasions of Commencement and the opening of the college year, and other events. The present auditorium will seat only 1400 persons as compared to the capacity of 2700 of the proposed new Webster Hall.
Although architects' plans are completed for the new building and are approved by the Trustees, a starting date for construction could not be indicated. With the help of a committee of alumni and other friends of the College the Trustees hope to secure funds for financing the project as soon as possible.
The need for the new auditorium and theaters has been increasingly felt in recent years. The plant is designed to provide Dartmouth with modern and completely equipped facilities for dramatic and musical activities; the whole College will be able to share in the great occasions of the year, which is not now possible, for only about half the College can meet in the largest hall; and many non-athletic activities of both educational and entertainment value will be furthered. In addition to the great usefulness of the building during the College year President Hopkins has stated his interest in having the plant used the year round by establishing a Summer Drama Festival, to create at Dartmouth the first and only great summer center for the American drama, attracting patronage and interest and talent from all parts of the country. He suggested the plan to the Dramatists' Guild of New York City and acceptance by the president of the Guild, Robert E. Sherwood, indicates that a summer theater of broad scope and national interest may be established in Hanover.
In endorsing the Dartmouth suggestion Mr. Sherwood said: "It is believed by The Dramatists' Guild that President Hopkins' offer presents a magnificent opportunity to the theater as a whole. In view of the superiority of the Dartmouth equipment, and the beauty and accessibility of Hanover's location, there may well be developed here a festival of national significance. It is hoped and expected that leading actors, directors, scene designers and managers will cooperate in the fulfillment of President Hopkins' project."
GUILD TO HAVE FULL CHARGE
In his confirmation of the reported understanding with the Dramatists' Guild President Hopkins made it clear that the Summer Drama Festival will be entirely planned and managed under the auspices of the Guild. Dartmouth will simply provide the location and buildings and equipment.
The Dramatists' Guild of The Authors' League of America includes in its membership some thirty-four outstanding playwights. The officers are: President, Robert E. Sherwood; Vice President, George S. Kaufman; Chairman of the Board, Edward Childs Carpenter; Secretary, Richard Rodgers. Among members of the Council whose names are widely known in the theater are: George Abbott, Maxwell Anderson, Marc Connelly, Rachel Crothers, Owen Davis, Philip Dunning, Oscar Hammerstein 2d, Moss Hart, Sidney Howard, Clifford Odets, Eugene O'Neill, Elmer Rice, Samuel Spewack. The Executive Secretary of the Guild is Luise Sillcox.
