Abstract
This essay examines the practical consequences of locating theatre programs within liberal arts or fine arts academic structures. It argues that institutional placement is often determined by historical and administrative convenience rather than coherent philosophy, yet this placement significantly shapes power, resource allocation, and evaluation standards. The discussion contrasts liberal arts environments, where theatre is justified as part of broader humanistic education and cost pressures are diffused across large colleges, with fine arts settings, where vocational preparation dominates and theatre units face intensified budget scrutiny. Faculty evaluation challenges emerge in both contexts, particularly in balancing scholarly and creative work and avoiding untenable equivalences between artistic production and academic publication. The essay warns against programs straddling both identities and compromising stated goals in response to external pressures. It concludes that theatre units must ground administrative argument in a clear understanding of institutional context, align goals with structural realities, and avoid inconsistent or self serving rationales that erode credibility and authority.
Recommended Citation
Angotti, Vincent L.
(1986)
"The Practical Issues,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 55, Article 6.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol55/iss1/6
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