Shakespeare at Arizona State

“Professor’s Suit Says Using Bard Got Him Fired” (Jan. 19), about former Arizona State University faculty member Jared Sakren, was quite disturbing to us. Most surprising was the blanket acceptance of false statements about ASU’s commitment to Shakespeare and the classics.

ASU, through its English and theater departments, offers four to six courses per semester in which Shakespeare is either the sole or a primary focus of study. The works of Shakespeare and other classical playwrights are taught routinely, with both traditional and nontraditional interpretations. Of our 18 theater department faculty members, of which about half are male, 15 either teach, direct or are involved with Shakespeare in course work and/or production. Most of the faculty who teach these courses received tenure at ASU, including award-winning director Marshall W. Mason, who was hired at the same time as Sakren.

Each year for the past three years, the ASU theater department has produced a major Shakespearean play as part of the season. Our touring Shakespearean company presents Shakespearean pieces to local high schools and other communities.

Given this information, you can imagine our shock that a faculty member would file a lawsuit against us, suggesting he was terminated for “teaching Shakespeare,” or interpreting Shakespeare in certain ways. Like all respected universities, ASU values diverse opinions, ideas and interpretations by its faculty. We don’t fire people for what they teach.

For the record, the theater department never requested that Sakren teach a play called “Betty the Yeti.”

BONNIE ECKARD, Chair

Department of Theatre

ASU, Tempe, Ariz.

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In England, student actors cut their teeth on Shakespeare. Even after they become movie stars, they continue to stretch themselves by studying and performing the works of this most challenging of all playwrights. They don’t confuse political correctness with professional training or art.

No wonder the Brits produce better actors than we do.

BARBARA BECKLEY

Producing Director

Colony Studio Theatre

Los Angeles