Avon Drama Studio remains closed for repair

The closure of the Avon Drama Studio has been extended through this term has been extended throughout this term due to a roof collapse in April of this year.

It remains unclear when the studio, which is a teaching and rehearsal space on the Westwood campus, will be reopened.

The University’s communications manager Alex Buxton told the Boar that the work needed to reinstate the studio were “much more extensive than originally anticipated”.

He continued that works required “would require the extensive refurbishment of the associated mechanical and electrical systems which are made more complex by the nature of the original construction of the building.”

The Studio was commonly used as a rehearsal room by the University’s performance societies. Lucy Bird, President of Warwick University Drama Society (WUDS) told the Boar that she felt there was a lack of communication from the University regarding alternatives to Avon:

“We have had no support, or even contact from the University regarding the organising of alternative rehearsal or performance spaces at all.”

A written statement, which was read and approved by all member societies of the Drama Collective, goes on to argue that this is reflective of a larger problem wherein it is made difficult for societies to book adequate practice rooms:

“Avon, along with the Humanities Studio and Capital Rehearsal Room are all run by IATL which does not allow students (except those involved in IATL-led projects) to book the space more than a week in advance […] Casts are regularly left with nowhere to rehearse.”

Jennifer Ip, president of Warwick Latin and Ballroom Dancesport, who had previously used the space as a practice room on Friday nights said that practice availability has been affected by the extensive repair work on Avon:

“The Avon Studio is one of the few spaces with the right floor size, floor type and a sound system suitable for Latin and Ballroom dancing. […] We were provided with the Westwood Dance Studio originally for lessons, but because of the number of members and the nature of the sport, the size is not suitable.”

Mr. Buxton emphasised that Dr. Lawrence Young, The Chair of the Capital, Space and Amenities Group has been involved in ongoing discussions with IATL and the Centre for Education Studies regarding options for access to alternative spaces:

“We are in active discussions with the Students’ Union regarding the performance and rehearsal space needs of student groups and societies and solutions will be in place for the start of Term 2.”