return to the
Why is it important for Wellesley to have societies on campus? Janna Wasilewski, Shakes President, Spring 1999: "Many other student organizations on Wellesley's
campus devote as much time and energy to their particular causes
as
the societies do. Why, then, do we continue to have
societies per se, when to be a society implies a degree of
old-school establishment, profound commitment, and even
exclusivity (due to our necessarily limited membership) that
doesn't exist in most other organizations? Dawn Meehan, Phi Sig President, Spring 1999 : "It is important for Wellesley to have societies on campus because they bring together diverse women who hold a similar interest, for example lectures for Phi Sigma. Once these women come together they form friendships that extend beyond this however. Societies are like any other group on campus where people of similar interests gather and become social. Societies also provide a very much needed social outlet for women at Wellesley." Erin Bloom, ZA President, Spring 1999: "Societies fill a social and extra-curricular void at Wellesley. ZA offers students an opportunity to share an interest in literary while exploring social ends. We provide cultural and social opportunities to the entire Wellesley community." What does the tea process involve? Janna Wasilewski, Shakes President, Spring 1999: "The "process formerly known as teas" at Shakes generally takes place over three weekday afternoons at the beginning of each semester. We host an informal gathering at Shakespeare House on each of those afternoons, to which everyone on the campus is invited to come to meet the members, have snacks and the ubiquitous tea, learn more about the society, and decide whether or not they'd like to apply that semester. Those who do decide to apply are required to attend two of the three events so that they can meet as many of the current members as possible and get a realistic sense of what the society is about. They're also expected to fill out a short application, which will later be submitted to the society anonymously, and to audition with a reading from Shakespeare -- not because we only want members who can already act like Emma Thompson, but because all of our members are required to be on stage their first semester, so that they can be part of the society in performance at least once, and so that those who don't consider themselves actors can have a chance to reevaluate that belief. Many of our current members had never acted before joining the society, and we take into account a person's acting experience, or lack thereof, during the audition. Over and above all, the preeminent qualification for any prospective member is simply a love for the Bard." Dawn Meehan, Phi Sig President, Spring 1999: "The teaing process involves two parts: an application which counts for 50% and a vote on the teaing process itself which counts for 50%. Applications have six questions and we require that a great deal of thought and energy be put into the answers. The questions range from "Tell us about yourself and your interests" to "If you were lecture chair for Phi Sigma, what lectures would you pursue, how would you obtain funding, and how would you go about making it happen?" Voting on applications is anonymous. As for the "teaing process" vote, current member evaluate whether an applicant would significantly contribute to the group and in what ways. We hold four teas each semester and the applicants are required to attend three of the four." Erin Bloom, ZA President, Spring 1999: "The tea process is an opportunity for Wellesley students to learn about societies and their members and also an opportunity for members to become acquainted with potential members. Students attend 'teas' at our house. They are basically small social gatherings with a theme. Then if guests are interested in becoming members they may submit an application. The application consists of anonymous questions about their interests, why they want to join ZA and an essay." Why is the tea process necessary? Janna Wasilewski, Shakes President, Spring 1999: "As a society, Shakes has kept the aims and equity of the process formerly known as teas under close scrutiny for some time. Unfortunately, we are limited to a maximum membership of 45 due to fire codes and safety regulations for our house, and our actual membership is usually even smaller than that -- around 35 -- because we must keep our numbers small enough to guarantee that every member who wants a part in the play can have one. As a relatively small group, we're also better able to ensure that all members, and especially new members, understand their responsibilities both to the society and to our house, which is now more than a century old and requires careful upkeep from all of us. But we strive to make sure that the tea process is as fair as possible, knowing that every semester we nonetheless miss out on many enthusiastic, talented, dedicated women who would be an enormous gain to the society. Our goal is to abide by the words of Ellen Fitz Pendleton '86, who wrote in 1901 that 'The house will have failed of its object if it is not regarded as a place where the spirit of true comradeship abides and where all lovers of Shakespeare are welcome.'" Dawn Meehan, Phi Sig President, Spring 1999: "The teaing process is necessary for both the applicant and the members. Applicants come to teas to see what we are all about and decide if Phi Sigma or a society in general is the right thing for them. It is a two way street. Applicants check us out for fit and we talk to them about whether Phi Sigma would be the right organization for them." Erin Bloom, ZA President, Spring 1999: "This is the best way we have been able to come up with to choose new members. The process has changed extensively over the past 123 years and we believe it to be fair and effective." What is the time commitment for members? Janna Wasilewski, Shakes President, Spring 1999: "The time commitment for Shakespeare Society is large. It can be either somewhat large or very large, depending on each member's other responsibilities and inclinations, but it will always be demanding. Members who are not in the play are required to attend the society's weekly meetings, which generally last an hour. They must also attend lectures, social events like the Faculty Wine and Cheese, the process formerly known as teas, and events with alumnae. They are also required to help in some capacity with the production of the play, usually by filling technical roles, and to act in or help to manage our scene night each semester (the Haunted House in the fall and House of Fools in the spring). Members who are in the play have all of these responsibilities, plus scene rehearsals every week. The time commitment for a role in the play ranges from one to two hours a week for small, one- or two-scene roles to ten to fifteen hours for leads. In addition, all actors must be prepared to spend three to four hours at the house every weekday night beginning about three weeks before the play opens, when we begin to rehearse the entire play from beginning to end. Actors are also required to help in some technical capacity, since as a society we build our own sets, design and operate our own lights and sound, find or make our own costumes and props, produce our own publicity, and generally manage all the technical aspects of production. Members of the society's Executive Board -- the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, housekeeper, and director -- participate in an extra hour-long meeting each week and must usually attend to their major responsibilities on their own time, outside of regular society activities. The assistant director, stage manager, and technical director for the play must also attend additional meetings and, in the case of the assistant director and stage manager, be present at all rehearsals. The greatest single time commitment is, however, that of the director, who spends between forty and seventy hours per week at the house for rehearsals and meetings, as well as overseeing all other aspects of the play on her own time. Each member is allowed a total of four absences during the semester, so that we can ensure that everyone is doing her part. If this sounds daunting, it should; but the work we do is so close to our members' hearts that the time we spend on society activities is generally a pleasure rather than a chore." Dawn Meehan, Phi Sig President, Spring 1999: "Phi Sigma is a very large time commitment. We have weekly meetings as well as up to four events, wither lectures or social, a week. Members are required to be at all Phi Sigma sponsored and co-sponsored events. Officers commit even more time than members in planning all our events." Erin Bloom, ZA President, Spring 1999: "We have weekly meetings that last approximately one hour. In addition, members are expected to attend all ZA sponsored events (there are usually 2 or 3 per month.) I like to emphasize that you get out of ZA only as much as you put into it. Some members are totally indulged with ZA and it becomes a significant part of their Wellesley experience. Other choose to spend good quality time with ZA while balancing many other exciting and enriching activities and academics." Janna Wasilewski, Shakes President, Spring 1999: "There is no 'typical' member of Shakespeare Society. We all share a love for Shakespeare and for the society and an enthusiasm that allows us to undertake the commitments I've just listed, but that's the only homogeneous thing about us. We include actors, techies, literature buffs, and combinations of all three; we come from very different cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds -- we're from all four classes at Wellesley, first-years as well as seniors, Davis Scholars as well as traditionally aged students. Shakespeare is universal, so we do our best to be universal too." Dawn Meehan, Phi Sig President, Spring 1999: "Our group is very diverse. We have women from all four classes that are involved in all facets of daily life at Wellesley College. Our members are involved in athletics, college and dorm government, a cappella and dancing groups, work at the board of admission, presidents of many organizations, and do community service. We are currently 40 members strong." Erin Bloom, ZA President, Spring 1999: "It is impossible for me to generally characterize our members. The best part of ZA is that it has united a dynamic group of women who otherwise would not have crossed paths. We all have a plethora of interests, majors, hobbies and personalities yet share a common interest of literature and a love for life. Our member come from many different countries, ethnic backgrounds and personal experiences. After all, the societies reflect portions of the Wellesley population as a whole. We are your class officers, Senators, Ethos members, tennis players, water polo players, freestyle dancers, Watson Fellows, and much more!" |
- Provider name - rkayes@wellesley.edu
- Created: October 1, 2004
- Last Modified: April 10, 2005
- Expires: July 5, 2005