A college theatre arts department in Fife which provided a springboard for the careers of several famous film and TV stars could be under severe threat from cuts, it has emerged.
The Courier understands staff and students at Adam Smith College, Scotland’s third largest college, have been told management considers theatre and performing arts is “no longer a viable area to support economic development in Fife” and so may be discontinued through a phased approach.
The college’s theatre arts team, based in Kirkcaldy, has been at the forefront of developments in the field for around 30 years and has started out a generation of actors, ranging from Hollywood stars Ewan McGregor and Dougray Scott to homegrown talents like Shirley Henderson, Steven Robertson and Molly Innes, to name but a few.
While no final decision to close the department has yet been taken, courses which could be at risk include various disciplines in performing arts, acting and performance, dance, musical theatre, and technical theatre, while the future of the department’s 13 members of staff is also unclear.
However, news of any potential cuts to theatre arts in Fife has not gone down well with students and staff affected.
An online petition has been set up and has attracted well over 800 names, with the campaign to save the department expected to gather pace over the coming weeks.
Kerri Louise Howell (20), a second year student, was one of the students who contacted The Courier to express their concerns about the proposed cuts.
Kerri, born and raised in Kirkcaldy and an ex-pupil at Balwearie High School, is studying HND musical theatre after passing her first year at Adam Smith and fears for what the future holds.
“Adam Smith is hugely renowned for its reputation with a large percentage of students from Kirkcaldy, particularly Balwearie, choosing a path in the performing arts industry and their reputation for having such fantastic courses has been passed down not only by the teachers of Balwearie, but by past students who come back to talk about how college has changed their lives.’Appalled'”I recently read the article our principal gave you (The Courier) in regards to budget cuts around the college and I am appalled to see that he can be so absolutely positive about this matter.
“He is wiping out an entire creative arts department, including acting and performance, musical theatre, technical theatre and dance. How can he possibly insinuate that these ‘small’ budget cuts will not affect the college?
“He is making members of staff redundant and ruining hundreds of budding actors’ and dancers’ chances in becoming successful in the industry, all because he cannot make cuts elsewhere in his departments.”
A spokesperson for theatre arts staff affected said employees were concerned they have so far been given no official indication by management as to what ‘phased’ means.
“It is clearly a worrying time for staff regarding job security in the current economic climate and also the reduction of opportunity for both current and prospective students,” the staff member added.
“At this stage we are challenging this recommendation and should the recommendation subsequently be ratified by the Principal’s Group, then we would clearly attempt to intensify a campaign of support for the department, which comprises 13 full-time courses and employs 13 teaching staff.
“The college has been offering theatre arts training for almost 30 years and, as the third-largest college in Scotland, it would be a major blow.”
A spokesperson for Adam Smith College told The Courier yesterday, “Decisions to reduce certain courses are not taken lightly. However, when it is decided that some courses are to be phased out, all current students on those courses will have the opportunity to complete their studies.
“While the review is essential and makes recommendations that, if taken forward, will impact our current curriculum we would not want to pre-empt any future discussions with staff by commenting on the future of individual courses.”