In 1957, Alfred G. Arvold began working at NDSU in an unusual profession: the theater ghost. It was the perfect position, given that Arvold founded the Little Country Theatre.
He also had a bone to pick with NDSU: Arvold wasn’t given recognition for his work in Theatre NDSU, unlike Reuben Askanase and Dr. Fred Walsh, who respectively had a building and a black box theater named after them.
Arvold’s been in place since his unfortunate death in 1957. At the time, the university’s theatre program was hoping to establish itself among other reputable theaters in the nation. It had the people, it had the facility and it had the productions. However, it was missing a crucial aspect of the theater aesthetic: a theater ghost.
“After I died, I thought it was heaven-sent: literally,” Arvold laughed. “I had plenty of resentment, I was known in the theater and there wasn’t a theater ghost. So, the situation was perfect.”
On Monday, March 27, President Dean Bresciani let Arvold know that he would, unfortunately, be let go from his position as theater ghost at Askanase Hall.
Budget cuts have been sweeping through the university, leading to disputes about where budget allocations will be placed and the removal of the Division of Student Affairs. The theatre department hasn’t been immune, and unfortunately, the first cut to be made was to Arvold’s position.
To many, theater ghosts are a crucial part of any theater building. They add character and create stories that persist throughout the history of a space.
“It’s a blow,” Arvold said sadly, staring longingly at the stage space in Askanase. “I’ve had some good memories in this building. Scaring students, causing inexplicable mishaps. I always love sitting in the shadows and listening to the stories being shared about my adventures.”
Arvold’s position at the university requires no monetary funds. However, given that Arvold is not a necessary addition to the university, Dr. Bresciani felt the need to cut wherever was unnecessary.
In the wake of this news, the next step for Arvold is to find a different position.
“It’s quite a difficult market, actually,” said Arvold. “There are too many ghosts, not enough positions. Despite my 60 years of experience, it’s still hard to find a place that will want the founder of a wildly successful college theatre group. I’ve been circulating my resume around, but still no luck.”
“I might just pass on, to the other side,” he continued. “I know that Fred and Reuben have been interested in knowing about my antics in purgatory. But, while I may have gotten my frustrations out in the past 60 years, this has only added to my growing resentment for the university.”
At the moment, Arvold remains in Askanase Hall, haunting current students, faculty and maintaining the overall spooky effect of the theater. He won’t officially be losing his position until the end of the year. At present, NDSU is not planning on replacing the position.