friday,sept. 13, 1985
cabrinicollege,radnor,pa. 19087
vol.xxxii,no. 1
Perna'sdismissaljeopardizestheater by Gia DiGimi niani and Randy
T. Lefko Daniele A. Perna, direct.or of the Cabrini College Theater for the past 22 years, was dismissed from his position during the summer vacation. In a statement released by Sister Eileen Currie, M.S.C., president of the college, she stated, "While Dan Perna has made many contributions· to the theatre program at Cabrini College, the institution believes that his continued employment is no longer in the best interest of the College. We believe the conditions resulting in this separation are a confidential matter between the College and Mr. Perna." Due to his dismissal, the events of this fall theater season have been cancelled. The spring season is pending upon the institution's hiring of a new theater director. At present, the theater course is being taught by Jean.Fisher, who has been a memher of Cabrini's theater program in previous years. Jerome Zurek, chairperson, english/communications, said, •~vertisements will be placed and we are searching the community for someone who is qualified. Candidates will be interviewed, and the selection will depend on the quality of the individual. The
next theater season will begin in either Jan- · Perna declined to comment on the ~ro- l others, was looking forward t.odoing another uary or next September." ceedings without his lawyer present. iplaybutnowwithDangone,Idon'tknow." Virginia Smith, junior, who has worked Students had varying ppinions about with Perna for two years as an assistant Perna. Despite personal differences, his sue- Joe Guiffre, junior, thought differently of student director and actress said, "His dis- cess at Cabrini was consistent, his produc- Perna. He said, "!think that if people associmissal seemed to start last summer when he tions sell-outs, his name well-known in the/ ated Cabrini College with Dan Perna, that wasn't re-hired for his usual position as sum- main line area. would have turned a lot of people off from mer arts camp director. I couldn't underMarisol Rodriguez, sophomore, said, "I Cabrini. I think it was a good decision and stand why since the year before when I am sorry to see Dan leaving. No one can put, one appropriate for the school." worked the camp with him, it had been a together a play like Dan does. He encour-, "I D , te dl d . ho h success both educationally and financially. aged even people who had never been on d gu~S: fans 1mpebrtanlal ou vtrymc~1 t k''Then I heard that a younger, more inex- stage before." ere a O O peop e, u ways "" 00 perienced person had been hired as direct.or. "People who saw Cuckoo's Nest' (One Flew ·P~~ ho':" people,.act ~nd look, at what they ·I think that really upset Dan a great deal," Over the Cuckoo's Nest', spring, 1985) could ~o, Srmth said. Besides, Dans always ~n continued Smith. "He took tremendous not believe the actors were amateurs. Dan' ~Ike th at, from what I u nd erstand. ~y did · an d was abl e to pu 11a great d ea 1f rom t h em. Dan didn't it takelikthethcollege they pri de in h is long rec~ d h ere at Ca brmi, t type sof long to rtdecide ?» O persona 1 Y· he was very dedicated t.othe college. During spent a lot of time building sets and even! e a the productions he'd work seven days a week hand-sewing many of the costumes used. He •~t least five freshmen came t.ome during on campus." clearly worked above and beyond the call of orientation to ask about the theatre and parDan Radice, senior, has been involved duty," Rodriguez said. ticularly Dan. They had seen Peter Pan' and with the theater since his freshman year. He Dave Long, senior, said, "Last semester, wanted to work with him in'children's thecommented, "I am disappointed because Dan asked me to try out for Cuckoo's Nest.' 11 ater. I hated telling them there was no more Dan was good at theater, and I really feel bad tried out and really enjoyed the experience. theatre." . for the incoming freshmen who were antic- from start to end." · ipating working in theater." "Dan was a little hard at times and During his duration at Cabrini, Perna was Radice continued, •~}though a new face demanded a lot from the other first time\ responsible for presenting activities such as may be what the college needs, Dan's reputa- act.ors, of which there were six," Long said., the Children's Theater, Haunted House, tion in the Main Line area was held in high "In the end though, each one of us realized Summer Arts Camp, traveling theater comregard because of the success of his how much more we had learned about each panies, and the one act plays presented durprograms." other through the theater. I, as well as the ing Parents Weekend.
I
I
~
Witha little help from my_friends
"I
Cabrini's student leaders lightened the burden of the incoming freshmen and their parents by helping to carry luggage into the dormitories last Tuesday.
The student leaders returned to Cabrini anticipating the orientation activities after spending the previous week at Leadership Camp which was held in West Park, N. Y.
Left to right, Christy Mason, sophomore, Michelle latesta, junior, and Brian Feeley, junior, take time out • for horseplay. (photo by Monica Palko)
Summer adventures Cabrini travellers relate tales from abroad. See News~
First day
Soccer victory
Experience Cabrini orientation through the eyes of a freshman. See Features,
The Cabrini Cavs come out on -top at the Mount Saint Mary's Tournament. See Sports.