In response to the recent 6.8% cut to Albertan universities operating budgets in the 2013 provincial budget, Mount Royal University (MRU) has suspended three degree programs and four certification programs.
Music Performance and Theatre Arts are among the degree programs that are being suspended. Both the performance and the technical production streams of the Theatre Arts program will be suspended starting at the beginning of the 2013-2014 academic year. There will be no new intake but current first year students will be allowed to complete their diploma.
The timing of this announcement is especially unfortunate as the 2013 graduating acting class from MRU’s Theatre Arts program will be auditioning for Artistic Directors for all of Alberta’s professional theatres as part of Theatre Alberta’s Emerge program over the next two weeks.
Mount Royal University’s Theatre Arts program has been valued member of Theatre Alberta and key training facility for performers and theatre technicians in Calgary and in Alberta.
Theatre Alberta strongly encourages those with an interest in supporting MRU’s Theatre Arts program to voice your concerns over this decision by sending an email to MRU’s Board of Governors care of joconnor@mtroyal.ca.
Read the Calgary Herald’s Article here: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/alberta/arts+programs+fill+budget+shortfall/8251501/story.html
Read Eugene Stickland’s Article in Beacon News here: http://beaconnews.ca/blog/2013/04/mount-royal-university-cuts-are-the-work-of-cowards/
Read Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi’s letter to MRU on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NaheedNenshi/posts/609553902406569
