Jordan Avenue is the home to the newly-opened Marcellus Neal and Frances Marshall Black Culture and the Theatre and Drama Centers. Although the building is located on Jordan Ave., it's one of IU's best kept secrets. The plans for the building began in the 70s and officially opened its doors in January 2002.\nThe building is one of the most modern structures on campus. At 117,000 square feet, it provides enough space to accommodate both the Culture and Drama facilities and their staffs. The architecture is sleek and sophisticated; the ceiling-high windows provide full views of campus. \nThough the two departments located within the new facilities boast very different goals, they hope to fuse their two interests and collaborate in the near future.
The Theatre and Drama Center\nDaniel McFadden, director of the Theatre and Drama Center, said the Center is the biggest theatrical center in the community. The TDC produces eight plays per year including, a student-written play. \nJohn Kinzer, director of audience development, said the large windows provide ample natural lighting.\n"We hardly use any lights (in the building), I don't even think we have any on now," Kinzer said. "The (natural) lighting is beautiful."\nSimplicity also gives the building a modern mansion interior. A stair way lined with glass siding and silver rails lead up to the balcony of the Ruth N. Halls Theatre. At the top, students can observe a full view of the Main Library and Jordan Ave.\nThe space seats 443 as opposed to the old University Theatre that sat 383. Laurie Greene, a theater and drama major, said the building was built with the performance aspect in mind.\n"It was designed as a theater not a school," Greene said.\nThe TDC is also very technologically advanced -- almost everything is computerized. It has virtual reality capabilities and computers at every table in the design studios.
The Black Culture Center\nBlack Culture is also significant to the building's appeal. The Marcellus Neal and Frances Marshall Black Culture Center is named after the first two African-Americans to graduate from IU. The African American Arts Institute is based inside the Black Culture Center along with three other programs: the African-American Choral Ensemble, the African-American Dance Company and Soul Revue. The center uses the first and second floors to house it's staff and resources.\nThe Center also includes the Grand Hall, the Bridgewater lounge, the Black Culture Center Library, a computer lab, a resource room, a student lounge, a dance studio and recording facilities. \nCharles Sykes, director of the African-American Arts Institute, said the Choral Ensemble grew too big to fit into their practice room in Ashton, the site of their former office.\n"People were pushed back by the door," Sykes said. "I am most proud the programs are in a place designed to incorporate what we do." \nSykes uses the resources available in the Grand Hall to teach his Ethnomusicology and Multi-Media class. The hall is consistent with the modern design of the center. It is a multi-purpose room used for concerts, lecture and classes. \nOyibo Afoaku, director of the Black Culture Center, said it is a special building with beautiful studios. She added that the location is prime; she holds Harambe in the Bridgewater Lounge. \n"Harambe is an Ibo word that means 'let us all pull together,'" Afoaku explained. "There is free food and drink, and they can come every other week and make friendly interactions."
Under one roof \nBoth staffs said they are proud of the building. The two departments even mention collaborating on projects. Kinzer said working with the Black Culture Center would be exciting. He wants students to take advantage of the building in a more social way.\n"I want it to become a gathering place for the east end of campus," Kinzer said.\nThough the building offers so much, students don't think it is geared to meet all of their needs. \n"It is beautiful, but it's like a big empty building because the Bridgewater Lounge is never open and the library closes at six," Ackram said, adding that she would hang out there more if it were open more. \nKinzer said he knows there are many challenges to face.\n"The building has an identity crisis. A lot of people don't know it is two separate facilities, and many people go to the auditorium to see our shows," Kinzer said. \nAfoaku said the formal design and lack of hours can be a problem, but hopes in time things will get better.\n"I hope as time goes we can get more, but for now it is a beautiful building. And we are lucky to have it," she said. "The students should utilize what they have. Most students don't know there is a second floor they can use."\nMcFadden said the building is an artistic and cultural resource, and hopes to have more dialogue with students to make it more diverse\n"I would love to see more students hanging out in here and doing homework," Kinzer said. "The students make the magic"
