Annenberg School Theatre to close down

Will be replacedWill be replacedby AnnenbergWill be replacedby AnnenbergPublic Policy Ctr. The Annenberg Public Policy Center will take over the space of the current Annenberg School Theatre, Provost Stanley Chodorow confirmed Friday. But a timetable for construction has not yet been set. Chodorow explained that the change will "accommodate the increasingly dynamic academic programs developed by [Annenberg School for Communication] Dean [Kathleen Hall] Jamieson." The Public Policy Center has been in existence since 1994, when University alumnus Walter Annenberg donated $20 million to the school, according to Jamieson. But the Center has been operating without a permanent site. "What would have been best for us would have been to do this is 1994, but?we needed to create a compromise," Jamieson said. She explained that the Public Policy Center needs the space. But many students and officials have expressed concern over the impact the loss of performance space will have on the University community. "It's a major loss of theater space," said Laura Hammons, administrative assistant for Student Performing Arts. "Nothing can replace it. "This space is ideal for dance groups, a cappella groups, the Spring Fling Musical and Penn Singers," she said, noting that it is unusual for so many groups to use one auditorium. Associate Director of Musical Activities Bruce Montgomery, director of the Glee Club, said he heard of these plans over six months ago. Montgomery explained that the Christian Science Church at 40th and Walnut streets, which the University purchased in September for performing arts space, is not ready for any sort of performances. Theatre Arts Council Chairperson Alison Cote, 1995 College graduate, said she was aware of the auditorium's impending closing. "Certainly, it is a well known issue that we are in a space crunch," she said. "This will only escalate the problem of the lack of space." But she remained optimistic that the administrative is trying to alleviate the space problem. And Assistant to the Provost for External Affairs Nancy Nowicki emphasized that the provost and Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum are working very hard to find alternate space for the affected performing arts groups. "They have also been dealing extensively with the leadership of the performing arts groups and a variety of space issues and will continue to do so," she said. Jamieson agreed, explaining that "it is silly to be upset by a rumor that this project will begin tomorrow." "It did not happen in 1994, 1995 or 1996, and will not be built into the auditorium space until the provost, president and Annenberg School agree that there is alternative space for students," she said.