COLLEGE THEATERS EYE CUTS PRIVATE DONATIONS HELP FILL GAP AS STATE FUNDS DWINDLE.

Byline: Lisa M. Sodders Staff Writer

Despite the budget cuts prompted by the state's $38 billion deficit, the shows will go on at the San Fernando Valley's college campuses, which are relying on private donations to help finance theater productions.

Thanks to nearly $14,000 in donations this summer, Pierce College was able to stage ``Cabaret,'' which generated enough revenue to fund the rest of the season's productions, said Gene Putnam, chairman of the theater and dance department.

``We're OK for the year; we'll be able to handle our productions fine, but our classes were cut by 8 percent, just like everyone else on campus,'' said Putnam, whose department serves about 450 students, including 20 to 40 theater majors.

The College of Arts, Media and Communication at California State University, Northridge, sustained a 5 percent cut to its $14 million budget.

``We've got some challenges, but we're going to try to work through them and keep our schedule of classes and - with some creativity - mount the season we originally planned,'' said William Toutant, dean of the college, which serves more than 3,000 students, including 200 theater majors and 450 music majors.

That season includes three performances by the Martha Graham Dance Company, in its first California visit in five years; an Opera Gala featuring mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade; two student-performed operas, ``Elixir of Love'' by Donizetti and Benjamin Britten's ``Albert Herring''; and a full theater season.

CSUN also is launching its film series this fall.

Valley College - Mission College doesn't yet have a theater program - is also relying on private fund-raisers.

A benefit production of ``The Lion in Winter'' ran through Saturday, directed by 13-time Emmy-winner Garry Ashton, raising money to support the program.

Pete Parkin, chairman of the theater department, said while the school hasn't had to cut any theater classes, the department's budget has been slashed - it used to have $15,000 for supplies, but now has only $5,000, and its costume rental budget has gone from $1,000 to zero.

The budget for show royalties, however, wasn't touched, and the college will still offer the same number of productions.

Valley College's program, which serves about 400 students, hasn't had to cut any classes, Parkin said, but it has suffered from a hiring freeze and two retirements. Normally run with three full-time positions, by the end of the year ``it's going to be just me,'' he said, sighing. ``I'm going to be chairman of one person at the end of the year.''

``We'll find a way to do it,'' Parkin said. ``We're not the only ones - everyone on campus took a hit. All of us were asked to look at our budget, and find where we could best afford to take the cuts.''

Lisa M. Sodders, [phone]

lisa.sodders(at)dailynews.com

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(1 -- 2) College theater departments around the San Fernando Valley are struggling with funding cuts in light of the state's $38 billion deficit, but vow to continue as normal a production schedule as possible. CSUN drama student Ari Radousky, above left, rehearses a scene from ``Beckett.'' Above right, director Jaime Morrison gives instructions to Radousky and fellow student Marcel Hill. The College of Arts, Media and Communication at CSUN sustained a 5 percent cut to its budget.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer