Letters to the Editor

MEMORIES ON STAGE

I was so glad to read the article about the Montana Repertory Theatre in the spring issue. I was in that first company with the Montana Rep that Bo Brown directed. It was one of the most challenging road trips I can ever remember. We rode through the night on buses, arriving to set up the sets, lights, costumes, etc., only to mount the show shortly thereafter. Following some venues, we’d then strike the set and get back on the road again. I remember, in particular, the shows we did in Chester, where the stage was so small the set barely fit inside the proscenium arch. The exit steps from the set had to be curtailed and we used a step ladder to get the cast on and off. Since the female cast members were wearing large hoop skirts, that was no small feat. I also remember arriving in Provo, Utah, to see a theater complex unlike anything I had ever seen. Since our sets were built in the basement of the theater building at UM, and then passed in pieces up through the opening backstage, it was amazing to see a place where multiple theaters operated in a complex designed to encourage creation. Nevertheless, I have strong reason to believe that we brought more creativity and imagination to that campus from our confined physical plant than they had seen before. Thank you for bringing back a snapshot of that period in my life. I wish I knew where all the company members are now.

Patti Swoboda Hunter ’70

Santa Barbara, CA

Coal Correction

The spring 2008 issue of the Montanan was most enjoyable. I am pleased to learn that researchers at the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit continue to have an international impact on wildlife conservation. However, on page six you incorrectly stated that former Ambassador Mike Mansfield worked for eight years in the “coal mines” of Butte before pursuing a college degree. The ‘richest hill on earth’ produced a lot of ore but none of its mines held so much as a lump of coal.

Mike Menahan ’87, J.D. ’94

Helena

WANTED: YOUR OPINIONS

The Montanan welcomes letters to the editor. Please sign and include your graduating year or years of attendance, home address, and phone number or e-mail address.

Send them to:
Montanan Editor
325 Brantly Hall
Missoula, MT 59812 or
themontanan@umontana.edu.

Because of space limitations, we are not able to include all letters sent to us. Letters may be edited for length or clarity. While universities are places of discussion where good people do not always agree, letters deemed potentially libelous or that malign a person or group will not be published. Opinions expressed in the Montanan do not necessarily reflect those of The University of Montana.