U. seeks new PAC space

Groups currently in Irvine will be given new assignments by April. In the face of student concern over a lack of available performance and rehearsal facilities, University administrators have expressed a commitment to locate temporary and permanent space for campus performing arts groups. At this week's Perelman Quadrangle town meeting, Provost Stanley Chodorow said the renovated facilities will eventually provide space for the 35 performing arts groups currently on campus. He also announced that performing arts groups will have permanent access to a scene shop at 41st and Walnut streets. "The building will serve as a scene shop, and will provide prop and costume storage space," Student Performing Arts Coordinator Carolyn No ne said. Noone said use of the facility should alleviate some student concerns. "Students had a great deal of anxiety," she said. "This space is large, and there's a lot that can be done with it." Preparing the scene shop for use by student groups is top priority for University officials, according to Executive Assistant to the Provost Linda Koons. "Our first priority is to get the property ready so we can move the scene shop into its permanent space," Koons said. "By this summer, we'll be ready." Executive Vice President John Fry said this week that administrators are negotiating for temporary use of space at the Music Theater International facility at 37th and Chestnut streets. If negotiations are successful, this building would "definitely" be used as theater space, Fry said. Upcoming renovations to Houston Hall and the closing of Irvine Auditorium this summer -- both part of the Perelman Quad project -- will force many student groups into temporary locations. Additionally, next year's closing of the Annenberg School Theater will present additional constraints for performing arts space. Administrators -- who have been working to locate replacement space for several months -- have said they continue to negotiate for additional temporary space. "In the meantime, we're trying to negotiate for performing arts space that will accommodate groups," Koons said. Performing arts groups that currently use space in Irvine Auditorium include African Rhythms, Artists Guild, Intuitons Experimental Theater, Penn Musicians Against Homelessness and Stimulus Children's Theater. And Debate Council, Habitat for Humanity, the Outing Club, PENNPals and Punchbowl currently have office space in Irvine. Chodorow indicated that he will inform groups of their temporary space assignments before the end of the school year. But students said they are uncertain about where their groups will be relocated. "No one has told us anything or tried to express concern," College sophomore and Intuitions Chairperson Aileen Level said. University administrators recently authorized a formal study on the feasibility of using the former Christian Science Church at 40th and Walnut streets for performance space. The University purchased the building last year, and Performing Arts Council groups currently use the facility for rehearsal space. But PAC Chairperson and College sophomore Elizabeth Scanlon said the facility is inadequate for student use. "The Rotunda has bad acoustics and no rehearsal space," she said. "It's not up to code."