Provost rejects performing arts theater plan

Students upset by decision Provost Stanley Chodorow dealt a major blow to plans to turn the former Eric 3 Campus Theater into University performing arts space yesterday. Chodorow said he was "underwhelmed" by the report he received from Artec, a New York theater and acoustical design consulting firm brought in to evaluate the Eric 3 space. "I don't think those folks knew what they were doing," he said at a forum on the Perelman Quadrangle yesterday. Chodorow said the proposed Perelman Quad will provide a great deal of performing arts space, and the Eric 3 facility may not be necessary. He also cited the expense of remodeling the former theater site as a major concern. Rosalie Will, Performing Arts Council chairperson, said she was taken aback and upset by Chodorow's statements. "I'm surprised that he was so negative about [the Eric 3 proposal]," she said, adding that Chodorow is "still very uninformed about performing arts at Penn." Will also said that the performing arts community is not sure how the Irvine Auditorium space will be renovated and what will become the rooms full of old scenery and props performing groups have stored in Irvine's basement. According to Kathryn Helene, coordinator for student performing arts, the Eric 3 project would cost approximately $4 million under Artec's proposal. "The report suggested a ballpark figure of $3.5 million," she said. "But that's not considering the cost of licensing and permits from the city." The Eric 3 theater, located on 40th Street, closed in August. In the fall, Undergraduate Assembly and Performing Arts Council members proposed that the space vacated by the Eric 3 be used for performance, practice and rehearsal space. According to College senior and UA member Dan Schorr, Chodorow gave a verbal endorsement of the idea in November -- pending review of Artec's report. But Will said Chodorow had contacted her in December to say that he found the report overly vague and that he thought its price tag was too high. The report stated that the space in Eric 3 could be configured for performing arts. Yesterday Chodorow reiterated his disappointed with the report. "I was unimpressed," he said. "I wasn't convinced they really knew what they were doing." However, Acting VPUL Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said she thinks there should be more student programs housed near Superblock. "There is a definite program needed on the 40th and Walnut axis," she said last night. "[Chodorow] has told me he is committed to expanded programming sites in that area and he is carefully evaluating all opportunities." College junior and Undergraduate Assembly member Eric Tienou said he hoped to compromise with the provost. "This is by no means final -- it's just a working draft," Tienou said. "Our goal is to get more student space and better student space throughout the University."

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