Fifty Years of Schooling

Abstract

On June 8, 1955, the editorial page of the Cali newspaper *El País* hailed the decision by the Department’s Directorate of Public Education and the Antonio María Valencia Conservatory to "restore the standing of theater and establish a drama school at the Institute." It also commended City Councilman Pablo Morcillo—the driving force behind this new cultural project for the thriving "Sultana del Valle"—for his initiative. The proposal was motivated not only by the councilman’s passion for theater and its cultural value—he was an amateur actor who enjoyed performing in stage productions—but also by the pressing need for Cali and the Valle del Cauca region to keep pace with the newly established national television service. This required professional actors and actresses capable of handling productions that were broadcast live, as the technology for pre-recording did not yet exist.