EDITORIAL: The Wait Continues

After purchasing the church atAfter purchasing the church at4012 Walnut Street, the UniversityAfter purchasing the church at4012 Walnut Street, the Universityshould use the church's auditoriumAfter purchasing the church at4012 Walnut Street, the Universityshould use the church's auditoriumto finally provide a permanent spaceAfter purchasing the church at4012 Walnut Street, the Universityshould use the church's auditoriumto finally provide a permanent spacefor performing arts.After purchasing the church at4012 Walnut Street, the Universityshould use the church's auditoriumto finally provide a permanent spacefor performing arts._____________________________________ During this time, groups have practiced in classrooms, houses, apartments and small rooms in Houston Hall, but never in an adequately large space suited specifically for performing arts use. Although performers on campus number in the hundreds, they have not had a permanent location for quite some time even though many other campus organizations persist in appropriate spaces. For the constantly scrambling performing artists, the University's recent purchase of the First Church of Christ Scientist could not come at a better time. The church, located at 4012 Walnut Street, includes a 1,200-seat main auditorium that is a perfect fit for a performing arts community that has lacked a permanent home for too long. With a permanent space secured, these students would be able to concentrate more on what they love -- singing, dancing and acting -- and less time on desperately trying to locate a classroom that can become a makeshift theater for one night. Furthermore, the church's auditorium can be put to use immediately -- a much better option than waiting years until a similar space is available in the Perelman Quad. The church's space offers the administration an opportunity that it has disregarded in the past. Last year, Provost Stanley Chodorow rejected a plan to renovate the former Eric 3 movie theater for performing arts space. Now, the church's auditorium provides yet another solution to this problem. We urge the University to act now and give all performers -- including bands, dancers and others who may not be Performing Arts Council members -- a permanent space to entertain the University community and a chance to perfect their talents without having to wonder whether they will even have somewhere to perform.