Student performance groups will soon have a better chance at filling all of the seats for their shows — right in the middle of the crowds in the Student Union.
This summer, the West Lounge of the Student Union — the area that currently houses the UNC-Duke viewing portal — will be transformed into a performance area, fully equipped with lights and amplifiers. The project will cost approximately $2,500.
Tom Low, CUAB president, said the new area will allow student groups to perform in front of smaller audiences.
“There are a large amount of students in the West Lounge during the daytime and evening, and we thought it made sense to allow for small performances there,” he said.
“Often student groups don’t need a space as large as the Great Hall, but they do want to perform for other UNC students.”
The UNC-Duke portal, which cost $5,000 of non-University funds, is being relocated to the lower level of the Union to avoid the crowds on the main floor, in the hopes of increasing student interest.
Some students said they had concerns that the crowding on the main floor would cause as many problems for the new project as it did for the portal.
“It can get really crowded with Alpine (Bagel Cafe), and there aren’t many places for people to stand around,” freshman Sophie Dockstader said.
“I never really paid attention to the portal, but I think this idea is really cool, as long as the events don’t interfere with studying in that area.”
