The Demise of Hayman Theatre at Curtin Uni
Wed, 22 June 2005, 12:17 pmCrispian42 posts in thread
The Demise of Hayman Theatre at Curtin Uni
Wed, 22 June 2005, 12:17 pmHi Peoples,
With the recent announcement that Curtin Uni will be cutting the number of courses it will run by over 300, it seems the Hayman Theatre is about to be a casualty.
The following was posted by Tony Nicholls on an online forum run by Hayman students:
***************************
IÂ’m sorry to say that this course is now under serious threat of closure.
Curtin recently changed the way funding is distributed to the various Divisions. Teaching areas are now expected to pay for the space they use. In most cases this makes little difference but the Hayman Theatre is a large space to which we have exclusive access. The annual ‘rent’ has been calculated by the university as about $200,000 per year.
The Division of Humanities and our Faculty of MSC are both considerably in deficit already. Closing the Hayman, as you can see, is from that point, an attractive and some would say, necessary choice.
My view is that without a theatre there can be no worthwhile theatre course.
We shall obviously be making every effort to find an alternative solution but as high school students will very soon be making their applications to university courses a final decision must be made within a very few weeks about the continuance of Performance Studies.
The Guild has been informed of the situation.
I believe the university has an obligation to allow students currently enrolled to complete their course.
There is considerable goodwill towards PS within the Division for many reasons not least of which is the contribution theatre students have made to the cultural life of the campus. However we now appear to have moved to a rather less than brave new world in which our leaders cannot distinguish between value and price.
TONY NICHOLLS
22/6/05
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Would love to hear the thoughts of any ex-Haymanites out there or from any patrons who have come to a Hayman performance, on the demise of this course.
Perth's theatrical and cultural landscape will suffer as a result of the closure of this course. Hayman Theatre has been a testing ground for new writers, directors, performers and tehcnical crews who have gone on to successful careers in the local, national and international theatre industry.
Without the Hayman Theatre, the ladder to a professional career in theatre arts has just become longer.
Crispy.
With the recent announcement that Curtin Uni will be cutting the number of courses it will run by over 300, it seems the Hayman Theatre is about to be a casualty.
The following was posted by Tony Nicholls on an online forum run by Hayman students:
***************************
IÂ’m sorry to say that this course is now under serious threat of closure.
Curtin recently changed the way funding is distributed to the various Divisions. Teaching areas are now expected to pay for the space they use. In most cases this makes little difference but the Hayman Theatre is a large space to which we have exclusive access. The annual ‘rent’ has been calculated by the university as about $200,000 per year.
The Division of Humanities and our Faculty of MSC are both considerably in deficit already. Closing the Hayman, as you can see, is from that point, an attractive and some would say, necessary choice.
My view is that without a theatre there can be no worthwhile theatre course.
We shall obviously be making every effort to find an alternative solution but as high school students will very soon be making their applications to university courses a final decision must be made within a very few weeks about the continuance of Performance Studies.
The Guild has been informed of the situation.
I believe the university has an obligation to allow students currently enrolled to complete their course.
There is considerable goodwill towards PS within the Division for many reasons not least of which is the contribution theatre students have made to the cultural life of the campus. However we now appear to have moved to a rather less than brave new world in which our leaders cannot distinguish between value and price.
TONY NICHOLLS
22/6/05
*********************************************
Would love to hear the thoughts of any ex-Haymanites out there or from any patrons who have come to a Hayman performance, on the demise of this course.
Perth's theatrical and cultural landscape will suffer as a result of the closure of this course. Hayman Theatre has been a testing ground for new writers, directors, performers and tehcnical crews who have gone on to successful careers in the local, national and international theatre industry.
Without the Hayman Theatre, the ladder to a professional career in theatre arts has just become longer.
Crispy.
Hayman Theatre....
Thu, 30 June 2005, 10:31 pmHiya Guys
If anyone is interested in reading Curtin's media statement response please e-mail me and I will forward it to you, I received it yesterday from the Vice Chancellor's office. I agree with Dylan that we musn't take steps that would put a negative stamp on any negotiations and I wouldn't like to put Tony in any kind of a position that could jeopardise an outcome that everyone would be happy with, Dylan is right the University isn't the enemy, however in the words of a wise man I know "it definitely should not be looked on as a friend".
I believe it was only due to the efforts of graduates, current and ex-students, that the University has even been made aware of the value Hayman Theatre, and the course, is to Curtin Uni and the community. I'm quite sure they were hoping this could be all done quietly so they could get back to more important matters.
The media release states that they have left Humanities to make the 'closure' decision - that is true - all Humanities have to do is pay the $200,000 rent and everything will be fine. I am not reassured by the quote from the release that states:
“While it is too early for me to give absolute assurances about the future of Hayman Theatre and the courses connected with the Theatre, no courses are ever closed without a long period of consultation...
"Even if a decision is made to close a course, the interests of students are protected at all times,” Professor Twomey said.
“Courses can be phased out over time, or arrangements can be made with other universities to ensure students are not disadvantaged.”
The merger between Murdoch/Curtin on the face of it, still does not guarantee the course, or the theatre. Please if you haven't sent a letter to the chancellor cc'd to Ms McHale, and you support the Hayman, think about writing to them. I think a gentle pressure needs to continue with letters of concern, questions and support.
VIVA LA HAYMAN
If anyone is interested in reading Curtin's media statement response please e-mail me and I will forward it to you, I received it yesterday from the Vice Chancellor's office. I agree with Dylan that we musn't take steps that would put a negative stamp on any negotiations and I wouldn't like to put Tony in any kind of a position that could jeopardise an outcome that everyone would be happy with, Dylan is right the University isn't the enemy, however in the words of a wise man I know "it definitely should not be looked on as a friend".
I believe it was only due to the efforts of graduates, current and ex-students, that the University has even been made aware of the value Hayman Theatre, and the course, is to Curtin Uni and the community. I'm quite sure they were hoping this could be all done quietly so they could get back to more important matters.
The media release states that they have left Humanities to make the 'closure' decision - that is true - all Humanities have to do is pay the $200,000 rent and everything will be fine. I am not reassured by the quote from the release that states:
“While it is too early for me to give absolute assurances about the future of Hayman Theatre and the courses connected with the Theatre, no courses are ever closed without a long period of consultation...
"Even if a decision is made to close a course, the interests of students are protected at all times,” Professor Twomey said.
“Courses can be phased out over time, or arrangements can be made with other universities to ensure students are not disadvantaged.”
The merger between Murdoch/Curtin on the face of it, still does not guarantee the course, or the theatre. Please if you haven't sent a letter to the chancellor cc'd to Ms McHale, and you support the Hayman, think about writing to them. I think a gentle pressure needs to continue with letters of concern, questions and support.
VIVA LA HAYMAN
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