TO THE EDITOR:
Rick Ingram’s mistaken and misleading view of the PlayMakers Repertory Company (“Students should not have to subsidize PlayMakers,” Dec. 7) needs to be addressed and corrected. Though it is understandable that he does not wish to be required to attend PRC shows, it is important to remember that UNC is a liberal arts institution, and as students we should try to expand our horizons as much as possible. Learning about theater through in-class readings and discussion is not enough; theater is a participatory act, so it only makes sense that students should have the opportunity to see live theater.
Mandatory student attendance of theater events is not some sort of pyramid scheme to support a dying institution.
Our theater has a long and prestigious history; its most current incarnation has done a wonderful job of bringing in big names and continually gracing us with amazing performances.
Furthermore, I would like to say that arguments about capitalism have no place in discussions of the arts. Theater is communal and participatory; by nature it goes against the capitalist instinct. It is older than capitalism and will be around long after capitalism’s collapse. Fine arts are vital to our heritage; the stage is one facet of our social memory, and to forget it because it doesn’t meet your standards of “demand” is a grave error.
Max Berry
Junior
English, Dramatic Arts
