Task force analyzing LTCC theater’s future

By the end of June a recommendation is expected about what the future of Lake Tahoe Community College’s theater program should look like.

The 20-member community task force that was convened to delve into the program has met twice, and will continue to meet every other Thursday until June. Solutions are expected to be presented to the board by the end of the academic year.

The two main areas of discussion are the credit program currently offered and what role the college could play in the community in regards to performing arts.

Theater arts has been under scrutiny internally at the college for a couple years because classes are not highly sought after and it is expensive to run. Last fall it appeared the department was headed for elimination by the administration. Community outcry put a stop to that.

Michelle Risdon, LTCC’s interim vice president of Academic Affairs, said one thing that needs to be addressed is how to attract more students from Lake Tahoe Unified School District. Tahoe Valley Elementary School’s focus is performing arts and South Tahoe High School’s theater program is outstanding, so LTUSD should be a natural feeder into LTCC in this regards.

For now, all possibilities are still on the table.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report