Tuesday, August 28, 2001

New Toys for Toes
Studio with advanced technology nearing completion
By Kristin Campbell
staff reporter

Most TCU students would not expect to find the latest Macintosh computers and software in a beginning ballet or modern dance class.

But in a new studio still under construction in the Ballet and Modern Dance Building, dance students will have state-of-the-art equipment to use for their classes.

The new studio will include a computer lab with 16 new, flat-screen Macintosh computers and a wooden dance floor. The floor is covered with marley, a rubbery surface that helps dancers prevent injuries.

Kami Lewis/Skiff Staff Marc Sicignano, a sophomore computer information systems major and modern dance major, works with the new LifeForms program, a new choreography tool in the ballet and modern dance department.

LifeForms, the choreographic animation software which will be used, allows students to choreograph dance sequences while learning the origin of movement, said dance instructor Keitha Manning said.

“In order to stay current in this field, it is necessary to have this technology,” she said.
The studio set-up will allow students to work at the computer, step back and dance in the same space, Manning said.

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs William Koehler toured the facilities and was influential in initiating the remodeling process, Manning said. Renovations began in June and Manning expects the studio to be completed in a few weeks.

Funding came from two separate budgets, Koehler said. At least $25,000 spent on the computers was funded by information service acquisition and replacement budgets. Room modification expenses were covered by the classroom renovation budget, he said.

Marc Sicignano, a sophomore computer informational science and modern dance major, said he will be able to simultaneously use the workspace to dance and choreograph, edit and burn music for concerts and back up videos onto DVDs.

The studio is a tremendous upgrade, Manning said, since she once taught a course with 12 students in a room with six computers but no space for dancing. She said she is using that space to teach a course this semester that will move to the new studio as soon as construction is complete.

Ohio State University, Arizona State University and the University of California at Irvine also have the new technology, Manning said. California-Irvine is already using motion capture software to assist dancers and is the only university she knows of that utilizes the advanced software, Manning said.

An open house is being planned to showcase the complete studio to the university community.

Kristin Campbell
k.a.campbell@student.tcu.edu