VOL. 109, NO. 4 OCTOBER 10, 2023
Assayer of Student Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO
theprospectordaily.com
UTEP says Farewell to Forty Years of Dinner Theater BY ITZEL ANAHI GIRON The Prospector
For the past 40 years, the UTEP Dinner Theater (UTD) has entertained audiences of all ages, having their shows range from many cult classics like ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ to Tony-Award winning musicals like ‘The Prom’. However,
the stability of the dinner theater continuing came to a screeching halt Sept. 29. According to El Paso Matters, the UTEP Dinner Theater will have its final curtain call this current 202324 season. Coming as a surprise to many, students, alumni and dinner theater patrons but mainly to the man who started it all, Greg Taylor,
Photos by Annabella Mireles, Gaby Velasquez and the Prospector Archive /The Prospector
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BIG news
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OUSTED Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy was the first speaker to be fired in U.S history. McCarthy’s short 269-day reign was cut to an end, Oct. 3, by a 216-210 vote as the Democratic party shoved him out of his seat. As of now, the U.S House of Representatives is on the lookout for its next speaker to take the notoriety seat.
the former director for the UTEP Dinner Theater. Earlier this semester he announced he would be retiring after 40 years at UTEP, leaving the theater department and the dinner theater. Having retired Aug. 31, according to El Paso Inc., the announcement of the dinner theater closing its doors arrived when the
UTEP website for the dinner theater revealed it was in its ‘Farewell Season’. “In the many meetings I had with the dean, it was never intimated to me that their plan was to close the dinner theater,” Taylor said. “If they had told me...I would have stayed one more year and done the last show. I started it, I would’ve
ended it.” Being one of the most successful fine arts programs in El Paso, according to their website, the removal of the dinner theater would leave a hole not only in the fine arts program on campus but in the city. Producing four shows a year, the dinner theater brings in student actors and actresses as well as community members to take part in the fun of putting on a full production. The word of the dinner theater closing its doors has made its way to many, including student leader, Micheal Guitterez who started the petition to stop the doors from closing. “I felt it was important for me, who is appreciative of the arts to defend (UDT),” said Guiterrez. “To start a petition and show the administration why it’s important and why we should continue this institution that has been around for 40 years.” However, it’s not just current students or alumni who are advocating for the dinner theater but patrons who have seen countless shows over the years and those who have taken part in the shows themselves. Posted to the @savetheutepdinnertheater Instagram page, performers of past production have voiced
their experiences and love for the dinner theater in hopes that it can sway the misguided decision by UTEP. The page has been used as a way for those to support the dinner theater and its staff. “Thanks to the UDT, (Karen) was able to learn from many talented people who helped her grow her mind spirit confidence skills and her love for the arts.” said @savetheutepdinnertheater Instagram about Karen Maynez, the nineyear-old performer who played Matilda during the summer production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical. The displeasure has been voiced not only on Instagram but in the
comment section of the El Paso Matters Facebook page. “This is a sad day for UTEP and very telling of the institution it’s becoming. The UDT is a gem despite being neglected by UTEP’s current administration for many years.” said one Facebook User. It’s clear to many that if the dinner theater were to close, it would greatly impact the arts not just at UTEP but across the borderland. With frustration and confusee THEATER on page 6
ONGOING WAR IN ISRAEL
BEDBUGS IN PARIS
BORDER CRISIS
Israel has declared war on Hamas, a Palestinian political and military organization that governs Gaza, after unprecedented attacks. Reports have said there is a rising toll of more than 900 people killed in Israel while 400 Palestinians were killed, along with more than 100 hostages including Israeli army officers.
Bedbugs have taken over the city of Paris, France. The bugs are being found in people’s beds, couches, and even stowing away in luggage after tourists return from Paris. Citizens are burning their linens, clothes and luggage in order to battle against the nocturnal bloodsuckers.
The recent closure of the Bridge of Americas has now come to an end and has re-opened with an increase of security. Over the time of closure, the Texas Department of Public Safety created higher security. The new enchantments of security will bring higher safety checks to commercial traffic and cargo.