Many have seen the economy decline and the way it has affected Cerritos College, the Theater Department is not immune to the cutbacks.

The Theater Department did not offer some classes this semester that are unique to Cerritos College and starting the 2009-2010 year, will have to cut back on adult hourly 10 percent and down scale productions.

TH126, wigs and hair for theater, and TH117, standup comedy classes, were cancelled for Spring 2009.

This last one should be back for the fall semester, according to Renee Bloch, performing arts promotion specialist. “It makes me sad because students are the ones who lose.”

The reason that these classes were cut is because they are not part of the core program, but they are unique classes to Cerritos College.

The adults hourly are those people that help to sell tickets and advertise the shows that are put up by the department.

Georgia Well, department chair, said, “You just have to do the best with what you have. It’s a state-wide issue and everybody feels the pain. We will just have to deal with less help.”

The Theater Department produces four shows a year. It will be putting out the same number of shows but it will be careful on the expenses.

For example, it will use materials that the department has in storage.

Well explains, “We will try to use the props, stages and costumes that the department already has. It is very expensive to do the shows and even though students make what they can, we still need to get the materials and buy props that may be more expensive to make. We will just put up shows with simpler costumes and sets, but still we want to produce quality shows.”

Ticket sales revenue is divided among the department and the Associated Students, but it is not enough to support the program alone.

Well encourages everyone to come and see the shows.

She says, “It is a different experience than going to see a movie. With theater, every night is different and anything can happen.”