Have you noticed the construction going on in the main academic building on campus? In the past year, there has been construction to build a new performing arts wing, amongst other changes, where the Naclerio Commons (NC) is.
The Performing Arts program consists of students involved in theatre, dance, band & orchestra and chorus. Since the programs have grown more in recent years, the program needed more space for every cohort to be able to practice without disruption.
Photo Contributed by Justin Zenchuk
Photo by Tracy Deer-Mirek, Sacred Heart University
Students in the performing arts program are looking forward to the new wing’s debut.
“I think overall, everyone in performing arts is eager to get a look at and start using the new spaces. It’s time that the performing arts have a space that belongs to just them, and can be utilized in so many ways,” said senior Kayla Goncalves, who is involved in the Theater Arts Program.
“We have started at the bare minimum of 100, maybe 115 students, and now it’s almost to 1,000 students. We have practiced in old locker rooms, in the chapel basement, in so many different locations on campus,” said Denise Tiberio, the Dean of Students.
“The talent that we bring in every year, they just deserve this. We have done such a great job bringing in students that are so talented that I am so glad that they have the space they will have a great chance to display their talents in,” said Tiberio.
The new wing is equipped with multiple amenities that the program did not have in previous years. Now every cohort of the performing arts program can practice in the same area.
“We do have in the new space three dance studios, a full band room, choir room, a scene shop, costume shop, new little theatre, lots of storage, and five individual practice rooms,” said Tiberio.
Gerald Goehring, Director of Performing Arts, said that the university made renovations that have been designed specifically for the performing arts.
“There’s a lot of really nice things that are specifically designed for each of the cohorts,” said Goehring. “The band room for instance is equipped acoustically so we can have 100 trumpets in there blaring loudly, doesn’t hurt anybody’s hearing, and they can hear the music and work on it.
Then our sound systems can record it and they can hear back and really listen to make it world class.”
“I think having a new space for so many students to explore and be creative is part of why it will be so successful. I also think that maybe with more performing arts space on campus, it will encourage other students to try new things, or go support these cohorts,” said Goncalves.
The performing arts program isn’t the only thing that is being renovated with the construction. Sacred Heart also implemented new heaters for the shuttle area, and a new glass door in the NC, separating the performing arts wing from the rest of the academic building.
The new wing will have its grand opening this coming fall semester.
“We will start slowly bringing some of the practices back to the main campus after spring break. The grand opening will be in September, but we did want to allow the seniors the opportunity to experience the space,” said Tiberio.
