For most Penn students, the mention of Stouffer recalls the clanging of silverware and the raucous banter of hungry freshmen. But soon, those sounds will be replaced by the rhythmic footfalls and the emotive voices of some of Penn's finest performers.
After several weeks of pushing for more rehearsal and performance space, the Performing Arts Council, with the help of the Undergraduate Assembly, has been granted the use of Stouffer Down Under -- the basement of Stouffer that was formerly occupied by a dining hall -- and the Annenberg Dance Gallery for next semester.
With most of the kitchen and dining equipment still sitting in Stouffer, it is obviously a temporary rehearsal space. The search for space is far from over, as PAC has several long-term goals for additional, more permanent locations.
"This is a big success for the short term," PAC Administrative Coordinator Ryan Baber said. "But of course, for the long term, there's a lot more to be done."
Most performing arts groups agree that while this new space will be beneficial, it is not enough to accommodate everyone's needs.
"It will help, but not as much as we need it to," Penn Players Chairman Mark Evans said. "The new space will take some of the pressure off and eliminate the need to dissolve existing groups. But it still won't let [PAC] accept new groups."
Funding from the Student Activities Council limits how much space PAC can rent, but the two new spots will not cost PAC a penny. Starting in January, the Annenberg Center will allow PAC dance groups to use their studio on a limited basis free of cost, and the office of the Vice Provost for University Life will cover the minimal security costs required for groups to use Stouffer Down Under.
As student involvement in performing arts grows every year, the lack of space has always posed a problem for Penn's theater and dance troupes. Recently, the 1,100 undergraduates who take part in PAC's 42 groups have felt the crunch more than ever.
Penn Players must perform their spring show earlier than originally hoped because of the competition over venues.
"Our performance had to be scheduled for February," Evans said. "That leaves us with only about four weeks of rehearsal time."
Other groups have felt pressed for time and space as well, and have searched on their own for alternate rehearsal sites in order to squeeze in adequate practice time before the big night.
Penn Dance not only had to cut down the number of dances in their fall show to fit time restraints, but also had to accomplish the majority of their choreography in members' bedrooms and other inadequate spaces.
"As a choreographer, it was irritating to me," Penn Dance Chairwoman and PAC Financial Coordinator Virginia Graham said. "It didn't stop me from choreographing our pieces, but it definitely made it difficult."
But with two new locations at their disposal for next semester, performing arts groups can at least breathe a small sigh of relief.
"For right now, it's a huge step in the right direction," Baber said. "We're very grateful to the Annenberg Center and the University for helping us out."
Graham, who schedules rehearsal and performance times for the performing arts groups, said that these new spaces will be a great help in solving PAC's crunch for space.
"With the extra 20 hours a week in Annenberg and the extra 16 hours a week in Stouffer, it will make my life as a scheduler that much easier," Graham said.
Access to Stouffer and the Annenberg Dance Gallery was partly made possible by the efforts of the Undergraduate Assembly, who formally endorsed PAC's proposal.
"I'm glad that the UA was able to help PAC in utilizing space that is currently underused," UA Chairwoman Dana Hork said.
The space deficiency has not only been detrimental to existing PAC groups, but also to prospective groups who wish to join. Dance troupes including Soundworks Tap Factory, Destination Hiphop and Penn Asian Dance, were all rejected for funding by PAC due to space and budget limitations.
But according to Baber, the possible acquisition of more rehearsal and performance areas should alleviate this problem.
"Hopefully, with more space, we can reevaluate previous decisions and let more groups in," Baber said.
