College May Give Space to Drama Group

The University may grant the HDC space in the bindery of the Harvard University Press for centralizing its administrative and workshop facilities. The final decision on the concession is expected today, Douglas W. Bryant, Administrative Assistant Librarian in charge of the bindery, said yesterday.

The Dramatic Club has been negotiating through the dean's office for a studio in the University ever since the group was forced to vacate its facilities in the Big Tree Swimming Pool this summer because of fire laws. Although Bryant said that he "was not yet certain whether space would be available at the bindery," members of the club expressed, optimism about the terms of the announcement.

The group will probably use the space for sets, storage, or administrative and ticket office, depending upon the area which it receives. Ideally, there may be room enough for a small private practice theater.

Work Done in Three Places

In planning its production of "School for Scandal" this year, the club has had to work in three separate locations. Casting took place in the Student Activities Center and consumes were made at Radcliffe; but the HDC had to rent a loft in a deserted factory on Arrow St. for set designing.

The club had previously decided to lease the loft for a permanent set-designing studio, but a University rule prohibiting the renting of property off grounds-specifically waived for "School for Scandal"-prevented this plan.

Leaders in a movement to improve undergraduate drama facilities have been Robert H. Chapman, assistant professor of English, on leave of absence in 1954-55, Harry T. Levin '33, professor of English, and Archibald MacLeish, Boylston Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory. Aside from Chapman's Theater Laboratory, new under the direction of Mrs. Mark DeWelfe Howe, with a membership of ten, however, there have been no definite plans.