Staff Editorial: A place to stay, for now

The University's decision to temporarily open the basement of Stouffer Triangle and the Annenberg Dance Gallery for use by student performing arts groups is a welcome first step toward finding adequate space for use by such organizations.

The move helps to alleviate the current space crunch faced by the Performing Arts Council's 42 dependent groups, which have struggled to schedule rehearsals and performances. With other facilities frequently unavailable to students, the competition for time slots is fierce, and many groups find themselves without enough time to prepare for their biannual shows.

The recent surge in the number of student performing arts groups has only exacerbated the problem. PAC, constrained by lack of funds, has been forced to refuse membership to new groups.

While the opening of these facilities is an encouraging step, it is important to remember that it is only a temporary solution. Stouffer could provide the necessary space on a permanent basis, but should the University decide to make it a permanent home for dance and theater troupes, the former dining hall will need substantial renovations.

In order for performing arts groups to be successful, they do not only need space, they need space suitable for rehearsal.

We hope that the use of Stouffer and Annenberg facilities during the spring semester provides the University and PAC ample time to find more permanent accommodations. Both must work closely to reach an acceptable compromise.

While it would be unreasonable to expect the University to create enough space to satisfy every group that presently exists and every one that is to come, it is also imperative that the University find or create enough space to ensure the continued vibrancy of performing arts at Penn.

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