I believe that theatre is essential to the existence, continuation and celebration of our society.  The fact that theatre introduces questions both prosaic and profound and that it can be linked to virtually all our present humanistic studies justifies its presence in an educational community where examination of ideas and the development of the habits of thinking, of learning and of discovery are the central reasons for the community's existence.  This development of thinking, of learning and of discovery directs me as a teacher.  I believe that the basic nature of art, as well as that which propels the wish to create art, is a desire to better understand human existence.  The art of theatre is a search for that understanding and a search for a way to better illuminate the human condition, and acting is the most essential element of this art form.

        Any institution wishing to offer its community a liberal arts education should include at least basic theatre appreciation courses in its curriculum to ensure a thorough coverage of all the arts.  While these institutions have an obligation to keep up with the ever changing world of technology in order to produce students who are capable of competing in the advancing environment, it must also not forget to allow for the basic kind of analytical thinking that occurs when a student is introduced to the arts.  For many students, the humanities offer them, for the first time, an opportunity to voice their individuality.  A quality that can only make them stronger members of society and more effective participants in their area of interest.  Lastly, as a theatre practioner, I am only too aware of the responsibility I have to educate our future audiences.  With the competition from other entertainment venues, theatre has to work very hard at continuing to invite the interest of future patrons.