why EVERY LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE needs a performing arts program BY KATE DAVIS
According to Bloom, plans for developing facilities have been discussed, along with possible collaborations with neighboring schools Mount Ida and Babson to create expansions. But as Bloom says, before the college can begin to consider these possibilities, the curriculum for performing arts would have to be built up even more.
Another reason why Lasell doesn't have a performing arts major? Bloom says school is surrounded by well established and highly credited colleges with performing arts programs, such as Emerson, where students would rather study. This leaves administrators wondering, is there something that Lasell can do that makes us stand out?
The Lasell connected learning philosophy is one way to approach this issue. Other major schools in the Boston area don't implement interaction between other majors, or they don't use interaction with the public to apply classroom lessons. Lasell could value having other departments cooperate and help put on a production.
This isn't the only benefit that faculty members see among the list of reasons why Lasell hasn't developed the performing arts. Gerardo found data from the Student Descriptive Questionnaire involving SAT scores from arts-involved students, showing how their scores for the verbal component were 65 points higher and 34 points higher in the math than non arts students. She believes this data and its effects could benefit through college as well.
Kennedy, as a humanities and English faculty member, sees Doucette's point of view on how beneficial the program could be for all students education.
"The moment you create and interpret you understand in a different way, instead of just studying it you're doing it," Kennedy says. "Performing is tremendously important for intellectual growth and important for mind growth...it adds to classroom discussion, understanding of character intention and the intention of the playwright... and it's important for the audiences to grow and think as well."
Doucette came to Lasell College his freshman year lacking confidence, while unaware of his abilities, and feeling unfamiliar with who he was. Things changed when he starred in his first Lasell Drama Club production, "Company," and he continued to participate in four other shows over the years while being an active singer in the chorus.
"Public speaking is challenging in the start for all but a gifted few, wouldn't it be better to experience the blunders and begin refining those skills in the classroom than the boardroom?" says Doucette. "How much can you know about yourself until you’ve tried to be somebody else?"
Charette says she can see how applying a minor in performing arts would benefit her Psycology major. "It would help in either performing jobs, either teaching kids or working with them doing theater workshops," she says.
Charette also says that taking dance classes and singing lessons have shaped and benefitted her life. "It impacted me in a huge way because I was part of something that felt so rewarding when we performed, and always so fun performing," she says.
With performing arts-involved professors proving how beneficial an arts education would be on all students, it's hard to believe we're still left questioning why Lasell hasn't developed a program. It should also not be a surprise to know that Kennedy is currently working on a proposal to create a performing arts minor to supplement current student's demand.
Is a major far out of the question? Perhaps not, given a good five to ten years to build a reputation. Is a minor? Depending on how well Kennedy's proposal goes, it could be seen in a year or two.
It's safe to say Doucette is graduating in the spring knowing Bloom, Gerardo, and Kennedy will lead future thespians into a more educated future.
Lasell's Yamawaki Auditorium space, shown during the production of "Nine," photocredit Emily Kochanek.
Babson College's Sorensen Center for the Performing Arts. Babson was one of the schools that Bloom felt could be utilized and expanded to Lasell. Photocredit rawnarch.com
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