This page was last modified March 23, 1996
What you can expect on this page in the future?
Well, that sorta depends upon who is taking care of the account. For the moment, the Vice President and Newsletter Editor, Brian P. Evans, is taking care of the page so hopefully things will be fairly clean, easy to understand, and up-to-date. But, as years go by, we will never know just exactly what this page will hold. Check back and find out!
The Newsletters for the 95-96 year will be here, any important announcements will be posted (such as what One-Acts or Full Lengths we're doing), as well as other pieces that strike our fancy.
And should the Secretary and I ever get around to going through the archives, I'll scan in some pictures of productions Skull and Dagger has mounted so you might get a better idea of who we are and what it's like being a Theatre student at SDSU.
Current keeper of the page,
Brian P. Evans
Vice President and Newsletter Editor
Tradition and history. Two concepts that are such an important part of theatre as we know it. Were you aware that San Diego State's Drama Department has its own tradition and history? It is found in the oldest club on campus, Skull and Dagger.
Before 1923, the Drama Department had a club entitled "The Two Mask Players" They produced a total of four shows. On November 1st, 1923, Skull and Dagger was born. It was named after a combination of two quotes from Shakespeare. At that time, one had to have been the editor of the school newspaper, the editor of the yearbook, or the lead in a three-act play, and have a 3.5 GPA, in order to qualify as a member. Susan Earnest had been a lead that year.
In 1924, the department did a show called The Girl with the Green Eyes. This was Susan Earnest's big break into the organization of Skull and Dagger. Dr. Susan Earnest was here when it all began!!! She stated that members used to wear silver keys in the shape of skulls with emerald eyes and a dagger through its head. She also stated that there was a sister orginaization started not too long after Skull and Dagger entitled Mask and Dagger. Unfortunately, Mask and Dagger did not stand the test of time: It folded the same year.
In 1926, the head of department at the time, Sybil Eliza Jones, decided to change Skull and Dagger into a club strictly for theatre, and no longer for the journalism and yearbook students. Much to the chagrin of Susan Earnest and her fellow thespians and artists, this decision went through.
Skull and Dagger continued to flourish at San Diego State University and actually became quite well-known on campus. In fact, there were more creative clubs on campus than sporting clubs. Perhaps there is still time to regain our standing on our campus.
Hopefully this small article was enjoyable as well as informative. Now that you all know the origin of Skull and Dagger we have the foundation on which to build our own tradition and create our own sense of history.
*This letter was found in the Skull and Dagger archives, and re-edited. It was a request for on-campus club status reinstatement, circa 1975.
Welcome Letter from President of 94/95
Welcome new Drama Student!
Soon after coming into the department, you will probably hear about, or see things pertaining to Skull & Dagger Theatre Arts Society. Skull & Dagger is the oldest student organization on campus, dating back to 1921. Our purpose is simple: Provide the students with opportunities to participate in all areas of the theatre.
Skull & Dagger is run by students that are elected yearly. The organization's main projects include an evening of one-act plays in the Fall, a full length production every Spring, various street theatre productions, and workshops. Skull & Dagger is a dedicated service organization. This year, we participated in the AIDS Walk, wrote postcards to politicians in support for the National Endowment for the Arts, and volunteered to make floral bouquets for patients with AIDS. There are also many social activities such as the Welcome Dance, the Halloween Party, the year-end Spring Picnic, and fun fund-raising events. There are so many different ways to be involved!
Being an active member in the Drama Department means being active in Skull & Dagger. Whether you are interested in theatre management, publicity, design, directing, or acting, there is place for you. Every Skull & Dagger function relies on your support. It is an exciting way to get involved with the department, and an excellent way to make new friends. You don't even have to be a Drama Major. All you have to do is love the Theatre, and want to be involved!
Check the Skull & Dagger Bulletin Board weekly, (located halfway up the stairs to the Main Drama Office) for notices of meetings or activities. Or leave a note in the Skull & Dagger President's box, (located just to the right of the Drama Office window). The rest is up to you! Join us in our next project! Run for an office at the next election! The opportunities are as unlimited as your imagination!!!
Welcome to the SDSU Drama Department. Have a great semester! Looking forward to meeting you all!
Sincerely,
Jill Page Collister
President, 1994-95
Announcements
Our Full Length Production is Marisol which plays in April. I know, I know...not much information to go on at the moment, but before I put in any incorrect information, I will be checking on production times and dates. Hold your horses and we'll get back to you.
Sent to
Congressman Brian Bilbray
Senator Dianne Feinstein
As one of the students of San Diego State University Department of Drama, I am very concerned with the decline in support for The National Endowment for the Arts. We are all depending on you, as our congressman, to fight for the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute for the Museum Services. The national leadership and funding of these agencies is critical to the arts and cultural activities that our community needs.
We believe that the arts enchance the quality of life in San Diego County. If Congress cuts NEA funding, each American will be sixty-four cents richer and invaluably poorer. The NEA helps to keep the arts affordable and accessible to all Americans. We all need the NEA. Please don't let us down. We are counting on you!
Front of postcard:
"If a civilization were destroyed and all that remained was artwork and various monuments, future historians could determine more about the soul of that culture through its art..."
Laura Keene
Great American Actress, 1865