The long hours theater students put in working on rehearsals and productions can limit their involvement in campus activities, but a group of undergraduate students is trying to make things a little easier.
The Undergraduate Theater Alliance was formed in spring 2002 and provides mentoring, workshops and scholarships to theater students.
David Huber, a theater sophomore and UTA member, said one of the group’s primary objectives is raising money for undergraduate theater scholarships.
Huber said the group performs fundraisers such as raffles, crawfish boils and a gala to help raise money.
Huber said while UTA members do not receive financial compensation for their work, there are other benefits.
“It allows the undergraduates to have a deeper involvement with the department and the people in the department,” Huber said. “I feel like I am making a positive difference in the theater community at LSU.”
Candice Rodgers, a theater senior and UTA secretary, said one of the main benefits is the community atmosphere created among the students.
In addition, Rodgers said the group allows students the chance to gain further experience in the theater world.
“The benefits of being in this organization are that it is run by the students of the department, so we can really maximize our potential to learn about theatre professions and how to successfully go about obtaining jobs,” Rodgers said.
Natalie Donner, a theater sophomore and UTA member, said she enjoyed being a part of UTA’s membership program for freshmen, which gives new theater students the chance to work with juniors and seniors.
“It involves just showing them the ropes, and it allows the freshmen to be automatically put into the department,” Donner said.
Donner also said she enjoyed being able to have a voice in theater department matters.
“It is having power in the department in a way,” Donner said. “The undergraduates have really made a strong showing.”
Jane Brody, assitant professor of theater, said though UTA allows undergraduate theater students the opportunity to work on studio productions, it also serves as a social network.
“These students have a hard time being in other organizations because they put in such long hours,” Brody said. “This allows them to have a social network and a support network.”