'Panic in the air:' Graduate, union rep reacts to curtains falling on UWindsor acting program
Budget shortfalls at the university get the blame
Months after the demise of the University Players — the University of Windsor's theatre production unit — more cuts are coming to the drama program.
The university is pausing admission to its drama school acting program — and budget shortfalls at the school get the blame.
Kristen Siapas has worn many hats at the university and recently lost her job as marketing co-ordinator with the University Players. She's also a graduate of the school's acting program and is the president of CUPE Local 1393 representing some workers at the university.
WATCH | UWindsor staff union rep, grad reacts to pausing of new admissions for acting program:
She says news of the admissions being paused is disappointing but not overly surprising.
"There have been so many changes to the program and changing demands in the industry … it's not surprising to see the pause … in light of the budget realignment that's taking place right now," she said.
The dean of faculty of arts, humanities and social sciences says the pause in admissions is because of the university's deficit and cutbacks resulting in reduced funding for sessional instructors, staff layoffs and a freeze on hiring certain staff.
"The school has recently lost two full-time faculty members, significantly impacting its program delivery," said Cheryl Collier, in a statement.
The suspension of new intakes does not impact the progression of the existing students already enrolled, she added.
"This pause will allow the school to reassign professors who typically teach first-year courses to upper-year classes to ensure core courses will continue to be offered in the coming years so current students can enrol in the courses necessary to graduate on time."
She says the school of dramatic arts will be "re-envisioning their programs" over the next year while appealing to prospective students.
A report heads to the university's senate committee outlining the move Jan. 10, 2025.
'Panic in the air'
According to Siapas, the reaction she's seen across the local acting community — including alumni now in the industry — speaks to the program's importance.
"I know there's a little bit of panic in the air. It's taking a pause. What does that mean? It just adds to that atmosphere of fear and uncertainty that's kind of rampant on campus right now."
Siapas says the program, which is "incredibly demanding" has historically been a performance "pillar" with graduates going on stage, film and TV internationally —- including iconic Canadian performance institutions such as the Stratford and Shaw festivals.
Concern for future students
Siapas says she's concerned about what this means for future students who have an interest in acting and coming to Windsor to fulfil that dream.
"I think it's going to be a little scary for a couple of years at least, while we see that sort of slim down and the realigning happening," she said. "It's hard to do less when you have such a passion for the work that you do."
She calls the move a "big [negative] hit."
"I graduated from that program myself, stayed here and continued to invest and grow in the arts community and in the theatre community."
"And that is the one thing that I think is so heartbreaking for me to know, that if that doesn't continue, that stream is lost and the entire community will lose out because of it."
With files from Windsor Morning