Hello! This is a petition regarding turning the Dos Pueblos High School Little Theater into an extension for the Engineering Program.

Prior to the establishment of the EPAC, the Little Theater was the foundation of performing arts activities at Dos Pueblos, and remains to be an essential part of DP theater culture. More specifically, it hosts Holiday Package and the Haunted House, two traditions here at Dos Pueblos. These events are not only an opportunity for students to express their creativity, but they are also the two most crucial fundraisers for the expensive productions the theater company puts on. Although some administrators if argue that the productions will be just as successful in the EPAC, and have the potential to do so, the small and cozy atmosphere of the Little Theater will be lost, which is the core of Holiday Package. The Dos Pueblos Theater Company treasures each performance in the Little Theater, as it is the grassroots foundation of all things theatrical at our school, and are absolutely devastated to hear that this decision was made and approved of without the consultation and questioning of the Theater Company officers, as this directly affects us.

Secondly, many students view this as favoritism of one program over another. Despite the fact that 25% of the student body is involved in the Engineering Program, there is still a significant number of individuals involved in theater. It is unfair that a minorities concerns and needs are being trumped by a majority, in a school setting where it is constantly reinforced that we should all be treated as equals. Of course, this is not only unfair, but unethical as well. This is how we view the circumstance. The Engineering Program recently received a $1 million dollar donation, whereas us theater officers have worked many hours fundraising, advertising, rehearsing, building sets, and finding donors in order to keep our company afloat. Taking away the very core of the theatrical being that exists at Dos Pueblos will crush our spirits.

The Little Theater has been in use for over 30 years, not only as a space for theater students, but for other extracurriculars as well, including grad speech auditions. Mr. Cruz has demonstrated other uses for the Little Theater as well, such as an area in which to give Spanish presentations. Additionally, Mrs. Hopkins uses the Little Theater as a performance area for her Dance and Fitness classes. The Young Playwrights Festival also takes place on the Little Theater stage, as well as class shows for Theater ⅚. Also, the area has been used over many, many years as a storage space not only for theater, but for leadership as well. Guest speakers have also used the space as a smaller area to give presentations to a more specific audience, which helps students apply themselves to the material they’ve been given, whereas in the EPAC, it is much easier for students to pull out a phone, or begin talking. As of this year, the Little Theater is in especially high demand. Recently, there has been a Special Needs Counselor that has set up in office in the side room. Lastly, the jazz band now has two classes in one period. As a result, there are rehearsals that take place on stage nearly every day. Therefore, the renovation of the Little Theater would jeopardize and complicate several other programs on campus. It is unjust to promote the use of such a culturally rich space for only one group of people, instead of continuing to utilize the space as the versatile area that it currently is.

Please consider signing this petition to save the Dos Pueblos Little Theater, not only for the sake of the Theater Company, but for its usefulness as a space for all Dos Pueblos students.