Performing artists scramble for space

Although the Performing Arts Council was designed to unify the University's groups, as competition for rehersal space increases, divisions are beginning to surface. At last month's PAC meeting five groups applied for membership and voting representatives said rehearsal space was a major determining factor in whether admittance would be granted. According to PAC bylaws that were explained in last month's meeting, there are two classes of PAC membership: full and partial. Full membership includes payment of dues and allows a group to vote at PAC meetings. Partial members do not have to pay dues, can not vote and do not have rehearsal space privileges. Both membership classes receive exposure in PAC-sponsored advertisements and are allowed to perform and recruit in the Performing Arts Night events. Of the five groups applying for full membership at last month's meeting, two were granted partial, two were granted full with rehearsal space restrictions and one was denied membership. But groups' representatives said the rehearsal space problem stems from the University's lack of resources. "My opinion is that the University isn't providing the student performing arts groups with adequate space -- both performance and rehearsal," Jesse Hertzberg, chairperson of Penn Players, said. "Penn's resources are quite limited and limiting." Theatron, formerly named Hillel Theater, and Stimulus Theater were both granted full membership on the condition that they would sign a contract stipulating they would not request use of PAC rehearsal space. College junior Hertzberg said he though it was a mistake to let Theatron and Stimulus in conditionally. "I don't understand why they even wanted to apply for [full] membership. The most obvious benefit to being a member of PAC is to join in the allocation of rehearsal space," Hertzberg said. "Why not just become a partial member?" Jenifer Marlowe, chairperson of Stimulus, said that not being able to coordinate rehearsal space through PAC will not limit their access to rehearsal space. "Obviously, I would have preferred to join unconditionally," Marlowe said. "But the way [the meeting] was going it didn't look like we'd get that stipulation. We're looking forward to contributing to and benefitting from PAC." Theatron members could not be reached for comment last night. Because Arts House is part of a Residential Living-Learning program, it is sponsored by West Campus and they need to reapply for membership annually. Permanent full members are required to be funded by the Student Activities Council.

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