The School of American Dance and Arts Management is proud to announce the opening of Studio "H," located on the corner of Blackwelder and NW 23rd Street. The studio, with a dance floor space of 26 feet by 55 feet, houses the classes and rehearsals for the 185 students participating in the degree programs of dance performance and dance management. Dancers began using this newly acquired space on January 26, 2000.

Studio "H" has formerly housed two restaurants, the administrative offices of Oklahoma's Lyric Theatre, and storage for OCU. Once the School of American Dance and Arts Management gained the opportunity to use the space, funds were raised to convert it into a workable dance studio. According to John Bedford, Dean of the School of Dance, both Dr. Virginia Coombs, Vice-President of Academic Affairs, and President Dr. Stephen Jennings were instrumental in contributing funds from their resources to pay for the cost of remodeling.

Refashioning the space, itself, was a team effort, as it took a great deal of cooperation to make it possible. The staff of the OCU physical plant removed partition walls, relocated the electrical service, and caulked cracks in the walls and foundation. John Bullard, University Painter, patched holes in the walls and repainted the interior. Melanie Stovall, faculty member and company costumer, helped to obtain the floor covering. Less expensive lumber that was obtained by Angela Do, Administrative Assistant, completed the carpentry work.

Features of Studio "H" include a 25x55 ft. dance floor, a 50 foot mirror wall, one restroom, and a small space for dancers to store their coats and bags. The floor resembles a sprung-wood floor and is constructed according to the Bedford Technique. A layer of Sill Seal, a thin substance used for insulation between stud walls and foundations, is placed on the original flooring. The wooden supports are placed on top of the Sill Seal. Plywood is then placed on top of the supports. The top layer consists of a light brown flooring, similar to marley yet conducive to tap dancing. Thus, Bedford mused, "the entire floor is suspended on tiny air bubbles." The Sill Seal product is also beneficial for keeping the moisture out of the wooden supports and insulating the building.

The mirror wall also features a safety backing which prevents glass pieces from falling out, in the event that a mirror should crack. The mirror wall in Studio "D," located in the Children's Center for the Arts, will be retrofit with the same backing in May. While the ceiling of Studio "H" is too low for partnering exercises, the dance space is perfectly suitable for all other classes in ballet, tap, and jazz.