ABSTRACT
Many Westerners imagine a newly democratized populace casting aside communist censorship with open broadcasting, publishing, and performing. In order to aid Bulgaria’s transition to democracy and democratic ideals the American University in Bulgaria, an American structured, funded, and run liberal arts institution, opened its doors in 1991. The Dramatischen Theatre has fallen on hard times, as have all Bulgaria’s theatres, due to the lack of state funding. Eighteen regional theatres closed in 1994. National economic woes resulted in devalued currency and a rapid rise in inflation. The newness and possibilities of becoming involved in the backstage world of theatre filled a gap in the students’ education. With no chance to participate in a theatre program in their high schools, students who took technical jobs faced their tasks with agitation, humor and frustration. The satisfaction of reaching an audience with a meaningful message was only one reward.
