The Demise of Hayman Theatre at Curtin Uni

Hi 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.

God, this would be terrible! Gordon has also posted a message regarding this on one of the other boards.

How many students have come through this course and either gone on to audition and be accepted into WAAPA, NIDA or VCA, or begun a successful acting career? There's very few people who can walk straight out of high school and into a position at the big drama schools. And how much of the Perth theatre scene is made up of these graduates?

I know that for me, my time at Hayman was a fantastic experience, meeting so many diverse and talented people, and continuing the working relationships beyond the uni years.

Coming to uni from the country, Hayman was my introduction to the Perth theatre scene.

Surely now that theatre/drama is now a TEE (do they still call it that?) subject Curtin would be looking to offer those students the next step in their performing careers?

Crispy's absolutely right about the ladder to professional theatre arts becoming longer.

The whole "charging rent by the square metre" sounds like a convenient way for the uni to get rid of Hayman. Maybe they'll turn it into a new carpark... :(

Kath

Sorry, but I put my announcement in the wrong section - it is on Billboard

Hi Crispy
This is absolutely outrageous, but oh so typical of society's attitude to theatre and culture in general.
Wouldn't everyone be bored out of their brains if we all just rolled over and gave up. No theatre, no film, no tv, no music. Where on earth do they think all this comes from if it is not fostered at a university level?!?
What is the point of the education department's overhaul of the high school drama course if there's nowhere for students to continue exploring it once they finish school? As Tony said, there is no way for a theatre course to function without a theatre. 99% of everything i have learned has come from the practical component of that course!

I don't understand how this can happen.
Should we be getting in touch with the guild to make some noise???
Clearly it will be easy for the university to be successful in destroying campus culture unless we all get off our butts!
Jen

Oh come on ..politically the arts are perceived as having no practical value at all to the hard nosed hard headed politicians who control our destiny...bY OUR CHOICE...because of the well publicised excesses of a few grant supported "out there" artists we are held in general contempt by the public. There is no groundswell of support for students or practitioners of any dramatic art unless you have and are appearing in a mainstream media form.

Our universities are all being, like the Tafes , transformed into Cert 3 or graduate factories, based on a profit motive and a fear motive for the lecturers. Dont be thought HOW to think, rather be taught what to "do" or suffer the consequences of lack of greed and "drive".

The Hayman theatre is a casualty of that. We are in Perth, an unimportant mining centre abutting the powerhouses of Melbourne and Sydney. That is where the war for graduate dramatic excellence is being waged. My 15 year old son now lives in Sydney attending a State school of excellence and specialising in Drama, only because he was warned of the demise of Perth as a dramatic training centre. The numbers are theirs. The studios are theirs the great opportunities are theirs. I wont go there as I loathe the "yuppie" State as much as the "Greedy" State, so we commute.

Any number cruncher will quickly tell you what we do here is expensive, uneconomic and doomed under a rationalist tyranny.

I think it is absurd and as distateful as you and I will join any protest at the closure of the theatre or the DA courses...doomed I am sure but I will fight for it.

Vive la protestation!

Thou fobbing plume-plucked hugger-mugger!

I can't believe this is might happen. Perth theatre will really suffer. What action can we take? I'm not in Perth but I think everyone who has ever been involved with the Hayman will feel strongly about saving it.

Hi Guys,

Here's Gibson's post from another thread about the same subject

Author: Gibson Nolte (---.nsw.westnet.com.au)
Date: 23-06-05 06:05

This simply CANNOT happen!

If you are interested in joining an email list to keep abreast of developments as they come to hand - including information about what you can do to help - please send your details to:

savehaymantheatre@perthwesternaustralia.net

Cheers,

Gibson Nolte
Professional Actor/Writer and former Hayman Student

Let's get on board and do what we can to keep the Hayman alive!

There is no way they can close the Hayman Theatre. Think of all the future and past stars it devloped/develops.

I think of my time at the theatre quite fondly. This is an icon in Perth.

If the university cannot see how in the long run this is not a profitable outcome then they have become a instuitution that needs only to accept full fee paying students as they are obviously all about money and not education.

Kath if they do build a new car park it will be for staff anyway.

The State Member for Curtin University is John McGrath and the Federal Member is Kim Wilkie.

Get these guys involved.


Cheers all ex Haymanites


Ryan

Thanks to Simon Keen for alerting me to this possibility. It is a well known fact amongst NIDA staff that young people who have worked at Hayman have impressive confidence, fine interpretive abilities, rich imaginations, the strongest motivation, the widest experience of plays in production and advanced skills in communication and perfromance. Therefore each year we regularly take several ex Hayman artists into our courses. I have not yet done the number crunching, but i suspect that a Hayman background might be THE best qualification for entering the National Institute of Dramatic Art (or WAPPA or VCA for that matter) and be accepted to the precious few places out of thousands of applicants. As an Australian I am proud that we have such an example of how best to introduce young people to the multiple skilling developed through the performing arts. Perth, indeed the whole of W.A., should value this unique excellence - and boast of it internationally.

Write to:
Lance Twomey
Vice Chancellor
Curtin university
GPO Box U1987
Perth WA 6845
or email
vcsec@vc.curtin.edu.au


The State Member for South Perth/Curtin University, John McGrath
Suite 8,
219 Canning Hwy,
SOUTH PERTH 6151 WA
or email his assitant on:
dstratton@mp.wa.gov.au


Federal Member for Swan/Curtin University, Kim Wilkie
2-4 Mint Street
East Victoria Park WA 6101
or email him directly on:
Kim.Wilkie.MP@aph.gov.au

and of course letters to the West and the Curtin Guild don't hurt either!
Cheers
Talei

Aubrey Mellor wrote:
>
> Thanks to Simon Keen for alerting me to this possibility. It
> is a well known fact amongst NIDA staff that young people who
> have worked at Hayman have impressive confidence, fine
> interpretive abilities, rich imaginations, the strongest
> motivation, the widest experience of plays in production and
> advanced skills in communication and perfromance. Therefore
> each year we regularly take several ex Hayman artists into
> our courses. I have not yet done the number crunching, but i
> suspect that a Hayman background might be THE best
> qualification for entering the National Institute of Dramatic
> Art (or WAPPA or VCA for that matter) and be accepted to the
> precious few places out of thousands of applicants. As an
> Australian I am proud that we have such an example of how
> best to introduce young people to the multiple skilling
> developed through the performing arts. Perth, indeed the
> whole of W.A., should value this unique excellence - and
> boast of it internationally.


Without doubt my time at the Hayman gave me the best overall knowledge and appreciation of what theatre is all about, and what it can be. It enables young people to experience every aspect: acting, directing, lights, sound, stage-management, wardrobe, management - but most importantly the understanding that it is a combination of all of these things that makes theatre. A sense of community and teamwork.

For me personally it was a time of excitement and creativity, and I was surrounded by likeminded individuals who shared the same passion. The majority of my closest friendships were founded there, and so many of us are still pursuing what we love. I believe the Hayman theatre to be a unique, invaluable, one-of-a-kind 'experience', and not just a building to be bartered.

Times are economically tough for universities no doubt, but the scope of excellence that a place like the Hayman generates gives this country a 'return of investment' far greater than what the "number-crunchers" calculate.

Benj D'Addario

It's probably also worth writing to:

Culture & Arts Minister Sheila McHale
12th Floor, Dumas House
2 Havelock Street
WEST PERTH WA 6005
e-Mail: sheila-mchale@dpc.wa.gov.au
Phone number: (08) 9213 6900
Fax: (08) 9213 6901

and

Premier Geoff Gallop
197 St George's Terrace, PERTH WA 6000
e-Mail: wa-government@dpc.wa.gov.au
Phone number: (08) 9222 9888 - Premier's Office
Fax: (08) 9322 1213

The skills, knowledge and importance of dedication, teamwork and hardwork that I learnt through studying at Hayman Theatre has, without a doubt, enabled me to continue working in the performing arts with confidence and passion since I graduated.

Today I was able to record and edit a song under a tight deadline so that it could be aired on community radio station, RTRfm, as part of the comedy-based radio show, 'The Dead Set', for which I am a contributor. I would not have known how to do this - technically and with the upmost confidence - if I hadn't have studied at Hayman Theatre (I learnt about sound recording and editing during my course).

I joined with ex-Hayman students Andrea Gibbs and Jane Pyper to produce, re-write, self-direct and perform in a re-mount of a production that was first created and performed at the Hayman Theatre. The play was "Casual Drink o' Stoopids" and we performed to packed-out audiences who, from their laughter and colourful groans, seemed to enjoy the show immensely. Our Stage Manager and Lighting Designer were also ex-Hayman students. Five women put on this highly successful and professional show at the Blue Room Theatre, Northbridge. It would not have been possible if we hadn't studied at Hayman Theatre. (I learnt about all areas of putting on a production during my course at the Hayman Theatre).

I design posters as part of my work as a Cartoonist, Caricaturist and Illustrator. My skills in designing posters were harnessed during my time at Hayman Theatre.

Note, too, that Andrea Gibbs recently performed in the Final of the Melbourne Comedy Festival's Raw Comedy competition. Andrea is also the organiser for Funnybrook - a comedy night held in Donnybrook, WA. Last year's Funnybrook performers played to a full, appreciative house of people who do not get to see stand-up and improvisational comedy very often at all. I am going to take a guess that Andrea may have learnt some skills from her studies at Hayman Theatre to help her produce this event.

Most importantly, I have a can-do attitude to my work in the performing arts because I studied at Hayman Theatre. I am only one of many who have studied there and believe there are far greater success stories - what's yours? Make your success known.

Through teamwork, we were able to achieve so much and give generously to audiences during our time at Hayman. Let's join forces in this latest production - SAVE HAYMAN.

Oh, what a lovely war.

Michelle "Baggas" Baginski

Hi all
Just thought I'd bring your attention to the article in the Sunday Times today - page 13.
Also, RTR will be doing an interview on Monday regarding the issue.
Cheers
Talei

Save Hayman Theatre

Letter to Curtin VC, WA Politicians

Dear Mr Twomey,

As a former student of the Hayman Theatre, I was dismayed to learn of plans for it's closure.

There is no equivalent course to this in the state. A working theatre is absolutely necessary to give students valuable experience in performing arts that carries through to all facets of life.

The Hayman's closure simply means less opportunity, again, for Western Australian students.

Now living in Sydney, I am all too aware of the opportunities afforded students over here. Politicians and leaders are quick to speak of the "brain drain" on WA. Decisions like this will only force more people to seek opportunities in other states.

The Hayman is not only providing more students with a "leg up," it is part of the life-blood of the University. I have read of the pending amalgamation, and can not believe that the state's largest tertiary institution is considering operating without a working theatre.

Please consider special dispensation to allow the theatre to keep operating on the land it occupies.

Aela Callan
Seven News Journalist

Hi guys,

What a wonderful world we live in hey?
I am a graduate of the Ballarat University's Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Production course which is finishing up the last five graduate students at the end of 2005 after they announced the closure of the course two years ago.
Although this latest fiasco is a different kettle of fish altogether, we also put up quite a large fight over the canning of our course as it was the only regional course of its kind in Victoria and graduates had quite a good reputation out in the industry.
Without the course that I attended, I would not currently be working on the Australian and World Premiere season of Dirty Dancing in Melbourne. Others would not have gone on to work on other large scale professionals shows including The Lion King.
Of course I will be writing my letters to the appropriate people as will all of our colleagues, but I would just like to offer my support if there is any advice I can give about how to fight this (although our fighting did little to sway the people at the top of our food chain!) I would be more than happy for people to get in touch.
As someone else's post in this thread states "This cannot happen!"

Chookas!

Tanje

My sister attended Curtin Uni, and I saw her and her friends in many Hayman Theatre productions. It upsets me greatly to hear of its closure, especially now that I am a high school drama teacher, and have supported Hayman over the years by taking my students to see productions there.

I will email my sister, Sandy, who now resides in Sydney, as she will no doubt support any plans to prevent Hayman closing.

Regards,
Victoria

Huge article in the west today Tues, June 28 on p 30 - hopefully this will send a message to the powers that be.

You can read the Sunday Times article here: http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,15733551%255E2761,00.html


Good to see Theatre Australia getting a mention in The West story

Hello fellow theatre peeps,
What totally apalling news. Let's definately get behind a major push for affirmative Hayman saving action. I think that we all know how important Hayman has been to the theatre scenes of Perth, of Australia as a whole, and in the case of performers like Francis O'Connor, to the world. I know that the opportunities I received during my training at Curtin, and particularly the confidence that was instilled in me at the Hayman theatre, has given me a strong basis from which to build a career in the entertainment industry. In my current class at Nida seven of the students are from Perth, and of that seven, four went through the Communication and Cultural Studies course at Curtin.
The inspiration and education I received personally from doing theatre units with tutors likeTony Nicholls, Marcelle Schmitz and Donald Pulford at the Hayman has proved invaluable to me, and has providedsuch a leg up here st school. The Hayman is so important as a nest in which young people( I was only seventeen when I started) can safely hone their skills and build their confidence up in order to go on to audition for further training at Wappa, Nida or VCA, or jump straight into the industry. It is crucial that Western Australia does not lose this important, influencial and inspiring place. I will definately be writing to the Lance Twomey,John McGrath and Premier Geoff Gallop to let them know how important the Hayman Theatre has been in my life. In order for Western Australia to remain an active contributer to the world art scene, it is imperative for the Hayman to remain!

Hello to all.

My name is Dylan Sercombe, and I am a current third year Performance Studies student. Like all of you, the Hayman has afforded me some incredible opportunities - this semester alone I have been able to perform in one Upstairs show, direct another, take a lead role in the recent production of The Tempest and have even been allowed to artistically co-ordinate a downstairs show, an evening of absurdist theatre called 'Facing The Infinite'.

Firstly, I'd like to thank you all for your support and actions so far - particularly Talei for her work with the media. Today's West Australian article and the piece in The Sunday Times were both well timed and reasonably poised.

The news that Hayman is under threat has of course caused outrage amongst current Haymanites as well. If any of you would like to read the discussions, they can be found in The Common Room section of the SMUT website - pub19.ezboard.com/bsmut. We'd love to hear more from everybody, and try to keep everyone as informed as possible.

Now to the important stuff - I have been doing my absolute best to find every drop of information available about this topic, and have been meeting regularly with Tony Nicholls to look at possible lines of action to take. So far, several major developments are in the works. Firstly, the possible merger between Curtin and Murdoch is likely to be of assistance to our cause. If a merger was to occur, Hayman would be the most likely setting for a joint theatre course, and as such it would make no sense to get rid of us in the interim. Equally as importantly, it's not great business to disrupt your assets just before a merger - that's the job of your opposition, so we could be ok.

Secondly, Tony Nicholls has been in talks with various University administrators, and there is a current offer on the table that would be feasible enough to keep us alive. While I am reluctant to post the specifics of the offer here, I can say it is fair, it acknowledges the work of Hayman in the wider community, and it would enable a solution without either party having to budge very far.

Also, the Properties board has been given a guided tour of Hayman Theatre, which has further pushed the envelope. It's easy to think of the Hayman as a great big adaptable space - so long as you've never been inside it! Understanding how the theatre works is the first step towards understanding its function, and I think the administration would be seriously rethinking how easy it will be to adapt this space, or even to rent it out to other parties, considering its current setup.

I have also spoken to representatives from the Curtin Student Guild, who have acknowledged our dilemma and are currently working to help us remedy the situation. They have granted us assistance with people power, petitions and administrative costs such as photocopying and the like, so its great to have them on board and working with us to save such a unique creative community.

So, that's where we are at right now. What's really important at the moment is not putting the University in a position where we may compromise Tony's negotiations. The mindset is changing - slowly, but surely - and our actions right now could have an effect on the outcomes of the debate taking place. It is important to understand that the University is not the enemy here - they are under plenty of pressure from Canberra at the moment, and are trying to find a solution to the issues they are being presented with from our politicians, and consequently, we are under pressure. The recent newspaper articles (particularly the one in The West) have been good at finding a middle ground between conversation and controversy, but I think that attempts to demonise University administration might cause them to set their jaws, which would render in-house negotiation next to worthless. So, for the moment at least, the current level of media attention is about right, until a decision is made one way or another. Until then, in Tony we trust.

If you would like any further clarification, you can email me at maverick52_1999@hotmail.com (gotta love those hotmail addresses!)

I will be liaising with Tony on a regular basis for the next couple of weeks, so I'll let you know what's happening as I hear it. I think it's probably best to wait for a definitive response from the University before we launch any major attacks in the media or otherwise, so when such a decision is made, I'll let you know what is required.

Again, many thanks for your ongoing support and commitment to the Hayman. The sense of community found on this website and others is possibly the only positive to come out of this dilemma so far, but it's definitely a worthwhile one!

Thanks again,

Dylan.

To quote the words of Tony Nicholls,
"I am on the horns of a dead llama"

I cannot decide whether to follow my gut instinct and fight with letters and emails, get petitions going, contact former HAMS who have made a name for themselves and get them involved or to follow the logical and articulately put advice of Dylan and hold off for the moment and have faith in internal negotiations.

Like most ex-HAMS, when at Hayman I had faith in Tony Nichools so it is only fair to let him try and negotiate a solution now, with our full support.

I am so saddened by this. Saddened and infuriated!

Vanessa Jensen (nee Sedgwick)

Having come late to the news of Hayman's potential demise it's been heartening to catch up by reading the backlog of passionate responses posted over the last week or so.
I've no wish to demonise the University, I'm sure they are faced with deadlines, bugets, feasibility studies, the government's attitude to the Arts and are accountable to people on the other side of Australia who don't know the real situation.
Sometimes however, the people with the power to effect change or make the big decisions have to make the right choice, rather than the one more easily accountable.
I hope the University I attended and the Theatre that trained me can work together to save a singularly important part of the cultural fabric of Perth and the wider Australian community.

Toby Truslove

Hiya 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

"Even if a decision is made to close a course, the interests of students are protected at all times,"Professor Twomey said.

How about the interests of the WA cultural community and, for that matter, of Australia's?

I see the Southern Gazette Community and Propelarts have now picked up on the story.

I had mail from a Curtin staff member who was going to post a link to this, haven't seen it appear yet, so...

http://announce.curtin.edu.au/release2005/C13905.html

On a personal note, like many involved in this industry/profession/community I've frequently been impressed with skills, experience and work ethic of graduates from the WAIT/Curtin course. Doubtless this is in some way a reflection on the quality of the students attracted to and completing the course and in considerable measure a reflection of the inspiration, dedication and committment of the very talented staff that have taught at the Hayman from time to time. I think we shouldn't underestimate the impact that the architecture, the physical performance environment, with the upstairs and downstairs performance spaces producing very different work often for very different audiences, has had on the focus and flexibility of Curtin graduates.

Long live the Hayman!

Cheers
Grant

[%sig%]

Hello All,

I've been following this whole saga along with all the other ex Hayman/Perth-ites over in the East and we're all hoping for a positive result. I have offered to put together a short film of interviews with Hayman "celebs" i.e. Frances O'Connor, Judith Lucy, Daina Reid, Mike Frencham etc... but it seems as though a reasonable compromise may be reached and the amazing interview skills I learnt in FTV 111 will not be needed.

I'm heartened that this issue spread like wildfire though the Haymanite community and it was rather fun to see the different email headers coming through my inbox :

"Hayman theatre to close!"
"The demise of the Hayman Theatre"
"Save Hayman!"

What I would've liked to see though was one that read :

"Hayman Theatre to close - All course work moved to stupid grassed amphitheatre opposite library that no one ever uses"

Keep fighting!

- Mike Frencham

Hello Haymanites!

I just posted a proper blurb on this matter, but I couldn't resist posting again after I clicked through to the "Sunday Times" website and their article on Hayman.

Being in the east now it's good to catch up with WA news. I'm happy to report that some of the top stories in that issue of the ST were :

- Toads close in on WA
- Granny fined for Pot Plants
- Big Kev v The Budgie
- BYO Ban on the menu

Whoa! Steady on Perth! Just settle down!! Just....settle...down.

Love y'all

Big Mike

Only read your message because of the name. R U related to Luke? Guess so. Talent must run in the family.

[%sig%]

All this talk of the Hayman closing is terrible. I spent two and a half years there and learned many valuable skills whilst working with some amazing people.

The most tragic of all is that this is happening to artisitc communities all over Australia. Artisitc diversity is not being celebrated or valued by those in positions of power, who wield the cash flow. Support for music, theatre, film and visual arts is not just waning but on a sharp decline as our focus shifts further away from people towards "what is good for the economy".

Now that the liberal government has control of both houses of parliament it is their intention to push through legislation that will render student unions virtually powerless- Voluntary Student Unionism. The demise of the Hayman Theatre is another symptom of the governments push to turn students into customers and universities into factories spitting out individualistic workers who aren't trained to think beyond the box.

I would urge all those interested in saving arts courses like the course at Curtin to support their student unions, find out about anti VSU rallys and actions and fight for what you want to learn.

Students united, like workers, will never be defeated.

Hello all!

Just a quick update to let you know our current position in regards to the possible closure of Hayman.

Firstly, we have been somewhat bolstered by the return form leave of one of our senior lecturers, Donald Pulford. I understand he's been making suitable amounts of noise about the issue, and it's great to have all of our senior staff involved in presenting a united front to the University.

Negotiations are continuing, with no definitive news as of yet. However, it appears as though one of the continuing points of conversation is the support Hayman has been receiving from the wider community - current staff, previous staff, current students, previous students, industry professionals, school teachers, crazy people - all inundating the Vc's office with letters, emails, faxes and phone calls. It is this support that is instrumental in demonstrating Hayman's influence on the wider arts community, and the number of responses that have been received are simply too high in volume to ignore. Thank you to everyone for this support - not only is it making a significant impact, it is reminding me what I love about the arts community, and I really appreciate it.

That being said, it is still very possible that the debate could go either way. The issue with a long negotiation period is that the deadline for the TISC guide is only a few short weeks away. If talks continue as they have, it is unlikely that the University will be able to make the decision to pull the plug in time, which would save us for one more year at least. However, if they do reach such a decision, it will leave us with very little time to reverse the outcome, so it's cort of a catch 22 in that respect. From what I hear, current discussions have been quite productive, but as it stands, any overtly political or aggressive move could jeapordise a decision in our favor. There was an front page article in the Canning Community newspaper today, but I think the current level of media exposure is again about right.

What we do need to do, though, is keep the pressure on the University. More letters. More emails. More phone calls. From more people. If you haven't sent an email yet, please do so asap - the appropriate email addresses were posted by Talei a little while ago. Let's keep the University board aware of the ramifications that closing Hayman would have for the wider community, and really, every little bit counts.

Thank you for your ongoing support. I'll post again the second I hear anything!

Cheers,

Dylan.

Excellent , Dylan.

Thanks for keeping us up to date. This website DOES reach a heck of a lot of people who all have their own spheres of influence, so it's good to find out that we're making a difference and are on the right track.

Cheers,
Craig

[%sig%]

Hayman Theatre and its courses are apparently now out of danger!

It seems a political victory has been achieved, due to the commitment of a few individuals, the support of many others, and the communication achievable through this very website!

Good news, and a tribute to the online community for the part it played.

Cheers,
Craig

[%sig%]

Interesting story from Propelarts:
http://www.propelarts.org.au/zine/?ArticleID=960

That's absolutely correct, Craig!

Sorry for not posting earlier, wanted to hold back until it was all official, but there has very definitely been a battle won, and the continuation of the course, and the practical theatre component is guaranteed for at least the next few years. There are two real positives to be taken from this small but important victory:

Firstly, the support displayed by all kinds of people, which had a huge effect on the outcome of the negotiations. It's easy to look at a big community and feel insignificant - after all, Hayman is only one little theatre in Australia - but the lengths people were willing to go to to help our cause were very encouraging. So basically, thanks for caring enough to save us. You've really shown me warmth in what is often considered a brutal industry, and for that, a thousand thanks.

Secondly, the terms of the deal that was brokered have forced the powers that be to consider the importance of Hayman, and by implication, performance, in the wider community. The acceptance of the theatre as an important and relevant medium of expression and entertainment has been one of the implicit debates in this fight, and to have our art understood by people who deal in figures and logistics is incredible. Hopefully, these ramifications will be felt in the wider community, and theatre everywhere enjoys a little more appreciation.

Thanks a million, guys!

Cheers,

Dylan.

Thank you.

I don't know you from a bar a of soap, but you did well in keeping us updated.

Cheers,
Vanessa

Better late than never.

This letter was an embarassingly late (too late, happy to say) response to the issue. very glad to see that all went well


Lance Twomey
Vice Chancellor
Curtin University
GPO Box U1987
Perth WA 6845

Email: Thursday, July 14, 2005


Dear Lance

I am ashamed to say that I have not reacted to the email I received regarding the sacrifice of the beloved Hayman Theatre and hence the possible dismantling of the theatre studies course at Curtin University. I believe though that a ‘better late than never’ address to this outrages plan is required.

I have been fortunate enough to be professionally involved with the performing arts on many levels for the past 20 years, my interest in theatre beginning a long time before that. Throughout my extremely satisfying time in the arts as young amateur, student of WAAPA, professional performer, producer, director and now Artistic Director of Urban Myth Theatre of Youth in Adelaide, Curtin University and WAIT Theatre Arts students past and present have been present in the communities I have associated with.

From a very early age I was inspired by a cousin attending WAIT, throughout my years at WAAPA I was in awe of past WAIT/Curtin students working in the profession. As a professional performer I rejoiced in working with graduates from Curtin and as a director I always enjoyed auditioning Curtin students/graduates.

I have lived and worked in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and now Adelaide and have constantly met ex Curtin students working in the profession in all of these cities. Your graduates are very much a part of the Australian theatre scene. If anything this should be the inspiration for further developing the Theatre courses Curtin offers.

We cannot let this trend of sacrificing the arts continue in Australia. Without culture and the arts a society cannot prosper, we know this to be a fact.

I urge you to do everything in your power to halt this outrages attack on the arts and to recognise the worth of the Curtin University Theatre program and the Hayman Theatre.

Yours truly,
Glenn Hayden
Artistic Director
Urban Myth Theatre of Youth
Adelaide, South Australia


Dylan Sercombe wrote:
>
> That's absolutely correct, Craig!
>
> Sorry for not posting earlier, wanted to hold back until it
> was all official, but there has very definitely been a battle
> won, and the continuation of the course, and the practical
> theatre component is guaranteed for at least the next few
> years. There are two real positives to be taken from this
> small but important victory:
>
> Firstly, the support displayed by all kinds of people, which
> had a huge effect on the outcome of the negotiations. It's
> easy to look at a big community and feel insignificant -
> after all, Hayman is only one little theatre in Australia -
> but the lengths people were willing to go to to help our
> cause were very encouraging. So basically, thanks for caring
> enough to save us. You've really shown me warmth in what is
> often considered a brutal industry, and for that, a thousand
> thanks.
>
> Secondly, the terms of the deal that was brokered have forced
> the powers that be to consider the importance of Hayman, and
> by implication, performance, in the wider community. The
> acceptance of the theatre as an important and relevant medium
> of expression and entertainment has been one of the implicit
> debates in this fight, and to have our art understood by
> people who deal in figures and logistics is incredible.
> Hopefully, these ramifications will be felt in the wider
> community, and theatre everywhere enjoys a little more
> appreciation.
>
> Thanks a million, guys!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Dylan.

That's because I am a bar of soap.

Cheers,

Dylan.

CouldnÂ’t agree more, its not just a physical or an emotional loss but a community loss in that future individuals will not have the same opportunity.

P.S
Hey Sticky youÂ’re a tough cookie to track down

drop me a line.

I'm sorry to hear what is happening with the course you attend, how else will people outside of Melbourne be able to get their foot in the door? Tee I have been trying to catch up with you for ages - email me
Boo

I am hoping to study again at the Hayman Theatre next year. I know that there is nowhere else in Perth that offers the oportunities that the Hayman does to students of all levels of competence and desire. I went to CUT over a decade ago and they said the glory days had past but each year introduces a fresh bunch of students to the world of theatre and the culture of story telling. Story telling culturally defines us. Avenues for story making create the freedom to express ourselves and experimentation allows us to explore capabilities we may not have previously known. If we want to save the Hayman we must stand up for it. And possibly even do something (aside from standing up).
Regards to all the exes.