by Jessica Rodriguez
Staff Writer
Butts in the Seats is the new phrase buzzing through the theater department.
B.I.T.S. is a new organization that University of La Verne students and faculty have started to help increase audience attendance at shows on campus.
Steve Kent, professor of theater, said ULV has some of the highest quality performances and attendance should be higher.
“The students forming (B.I.T.S.) are training to be professionals,” Kent said. Nobody needs to go to L.A. when they can come to ULV.”
This new organization, that was started last year but is going into effect this fall, will help in that area, he said.
The students in the organization emphasize that this is a perfect way to reveal the positive side of the theater department.
“This organization (started as) an idea to connect diversity, to show the community to not judge a book by its cover,” Anthony Guerrero, student in the committee said.
“We want to collaborate with all organizations throughout the campus; ASF, the Rainbow Alliance,” said Chris Smith, chairman of the committee. “We want to get everyone together and help each other out with a common interest.”
Members of the organization want people to know there is more to the theater program than what is revealed on the stage. There are many relationships built behind the scenes.
Brianna Roth, theater major, wants everyone to know that the B.I.T.S. is open to anyone who wants to be involved with promoting knowledge of theater
The organization needs help spreading the news of performances given by the theater department. A way in which they are doing this is putting up flyers, and they hope those attending the performances will also spread the word.
One of the big questions asked by the theater department is, “Do we want to be known as a University with a theater attached or a theater with a University attached?” Smith said.
The theater is currently rehearsing for its performance of “The Rocky Horror Show,” which will have a midnight showing Halloween night, and they want to let ULV and the community know how much fun it is going to be. It is an experience that will be appreciated by all kinds of individuals.
“We want everyone to know that this can be an enjoyable Friday and Saturday night,” Smith said.
Opening night of “The Rocky Horror Show” is Oct. 30 and will run through Nov. 7 on the Dailey Theatre main stage.
