In the early days of UCF \u2013 when it was known as Florida Technological University with the overriding mission to provide personnel for the U.S. space program \u2013 there also was a small group of dedicated theatre students, faculty and staff on campus.<\/p>\n
In that space-dominated era, that handful of actors, set designers, professors and others in the performing arts literally \u201cset the stage\u201d for today\u2019s highly regarded Theatre UCF.<\/p>\n
Now more than four decades later, some of those theatre participants will gather to reminisce about their experiences and the campus productions that were first presented in a tent on a sandy field and later in a science auditorium.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were part of something that was unique. It was a brand new school so there was a first time for everything,\u201d said Mary Monroe, \u201976, who acted and directed in campus plays and recently set the reunion into motion.<\/p>\n
She said there were 12 theatre students when she joined the program. After graduation she went on to a 35-year career as a director and producer in New York, including being the recipient of a Kennedy Center bronze medal, and is now a writer in Rhode Island. \u201cYou became a pioneer because you were immersed in something for the first time. Because it was new, there were no restrictions,\u201d she said. \u201cWhatever was the outcome, you opened the door for other possibilities down the road. \u201d<\/p>\n
Monroe said she has heard from about 40 people around the country planning to get back together the second weekend of June to reminisce, tour today\u2019s theatre facilities, attend a play and catch up on what has happened through the years.<\/p>\n
She said that during the brief time they spent together the theatre folks formed strong relationships, but many of them later lost touch with each other and some of them have not visited UCF since graduation. And when she heard that one of their fellow theatre students died, she thought it was time for a reunion.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you had this intense experience, you bond,\u201d Monroe said. \u201cThe imprint was solid. I thought this was important to be able to come together again. It\u2019s like a denouement.\u201d<\/p>\n
The first production in the theatre department\u2019s tent was Shakespeare\u2019s \u201cTitus Andronicus\u201d in November 1969. The department followed with dozens of shows such as \u201cKiss Me Kate,\u201d \u201cOf Mice and Men\u201d and the Gershwin\u2019s \u201cOf Thee I Sing\u201d before FTU became UCF in 1978.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe theatre department was small, and I\u00a0immersed myself in it, doing every conceivable job. I learned so much,\u201d said Julia Gagne, \u201974, who had the opportunity to direct a show even though she had no experience as a director.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had great mentor\/professors at UCF, and the directing experience was very positive,\u201d she said. \u201cI got to work with my friends as cast and crew, experiment with rehearsal techniques, and experience the thrill of opening a show as a director.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n That experience and the encouragement of department chair Harry Smith and theatre director David Mays led her to pursue an MFA in directing. She later became the artistic director and theatre chair at Valencia College for more than 30 years, where she directed more than 90 shows.<\/p>\n Susie Findell, a staffer taking classes at the young university, said she auditioned for her first play after reading about it in the campus newspaper: \u201cStop the World, I Want to Get Off,\u201d directed by Frances Johnson of the communication department.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing in theatre gave me confidence and poise,\u201d she said. Her theatrical involvement at UCF led her to do Orlando community theatre, a TV Christmas special, voice-overs\u00a0and TV commercials. \u201cIt all started from my UCF experiences and classes.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the challenges of improper facilities, low budgets and limited participants of four decades ago, Monroe said, \u201cIt was incredible the way we all came together. This doesn\u2019t happen often. We were doing things then that were brand new. Whether we knew it, we were pioneers.\u201d<\/p>\n Steven Chicurel-Stein, a professor of theatre and interim director of the School of Performing Arts, said the determination and dedication of those in the FTU theatre program cannot be underestimated because they set the foundation of what is now a nationally accredited department with more than 300 undergraduate and graduate students.<\/p>\n \u201cThe art that is created today at Theatre UCF, the teaching and learning of the craft of theatre, and the continued forward movement of the present students, faculty and staff has its footing on the shoulders of those who had the vision, passion, and energy to launch theatre at FTU and early UCF,\u201d Chicurel-Stein said. \u201cTo those pioneers, we are grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n