In pursuit of an education, students should not have to dismiss their passions. The transition to college brings forth many possibilities for expanding and exploring hobbies on campus, and the University of Florida is no different. Even if one does not have a major in dance, there are ways to still be involved in this art.
Overview
Location: University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida (J. Wayne Reitz Union, Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium)
Duration of Walk: 10 minutes (~.5 miles)
Most locations need to have prior bookings, except the outside of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and the halls of J. Wayne Reitz Union.
J. Wayne Reitz Union
The student union sits on the south end of campus on one of the major roads. Containing meeting rooms, activities, and a food court, the union provides students with many opportunities to work and play. One of these happens to be dance. The union provides dance studios on one of their levels for those who want to book it. Many dance groups or individuals who cannot book the rooms but need space will typically fill the halls and spaces throughout the union. This creates a “free for all” situation, and one can walk through the halls in the evening seeing choreography blossom and music fill the student union.
Dance Studios
Located on the lower level of the student union, the dance studios provide space for anyone to practice. Along with the rooms of the lower level, there is a printing lab, many tables and chairs, and accessible bathrooms. The lower level tends to be on the quieter side with many students seeking a place to study away from the chaos of the student union. However, this is what makes the dance studios so interesting.
The studios feel like a separate space; though the only thing between dancers and the rest of the lower level is a door, it is easy to block out and focus on the movement at hand. It’s just the music and you. Unlike the glass outside of a typical study room, the studios allow a sense of privacy for those willing to make use of them. The space contains a mirror and a stereo system that allows students and groups to use their personal devices as a connection to the system rather than having to bring their own speakers. The system can be quite loud and contributes to the feeling of being somewhere else entirely. Only a faint echo of the music inside can be heard through the lower level. The studios contain a slip resistant floor to limit injuries, marked with scratches of those who have used it before showing it has been used well. There are two dance studios marked “A” and “B”. In one of the rooms, it is asked that tap shoes and heels not be worn in the space, most likely due to the floor. The lights can be adjusted to the liking of the dancers. A small round table can be found in the spaces as well, creating more room for your personal belongings.
Stephen C. O'Connell Center
Home to many other forms of athletics and events, the O’Connell Center has several rooms that can be used to host your creative abilities. As you leave the Reitz Union and make your way north, the building is located on the northwest part of campus. The rooms available here can cater to larger groups, so you can find many of the dance organizations on campus practicing here.
Dance Studio
Approaching the entrance of Gate 1, the O’Connell Dance Studio can be found in the left corner of the atrium. The glass door allows you to see inside the room and see the amount of space that is available to use for your creative endeavors. This dance studio is larger compared to that of the Reitz Union. Furthermore, the room itself feels more open and lively.
Along the left side of the room, there are multiple large windows that look out onto the street, with a view of the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. These windows are covered with semi-sheer pull down shades. Though you can see outside, it is much more difficult to see inside. The room also contains a mirror and marley flooring, a common combination for dance rooms. Any type of shoe can be worn here.
Since the room is positioned by the main gate of the center, it can be easy to direct attention on busy days. When large events occur like career fairs or sports, you may find individuals looking in. When it is quiet, you can hear the music slightly in the atrium; when there is a lot going on, it becomes a bit more difficult. The dance studio is a big room with a lot of potential, and with access it becomes a small space just for you and dance.
Florida Room
The Florida Room can be accessed through any gate, though Gate 2 is the easiest. When you go through Gate 2, the Florida Room is on the left. At the end of the hall are the doors to the natatorium. It is difficult to miss once you are in the area. The whole back wall of the room is glass. Anyone who is near can spot someone in their creative element. Though the room is tucked away in the O’Connell Center itself, it allows for a lot of exposure in the room. However, it is often quiet and peaceful. Light can pour in from the sun on the ceiling and the layout of the room is sectioned. The space has a mirror and a floor. It is not the same floor as the other studio, and it can be a hit or miss for tricks like turns. It tends to have a stickier feel to it. The amount of space and feel of the room make up for the flaws of the room.
Practice Courts
The most spacious of the rooms in the O’Connell Center, the Practice Courts are best fit for larger dance groups. The space is also better for simulating a show-like atmosphere, creating a sense of how large the stage may be for a performance.
The room is found along the curve of the main venue. If you enter through Gate 1, you follow the hall that goes northwest through the building. The room can be accessed on either side: one is a small glass wall and the other is two doors at the mouth of the gator on the wall. Light pours in from the sun in the day, but looks like an opaque ceiling at night. An overpass walkway can be found up in the room, so you may hear people walking across it.
The floor is similar to that of the Florida Room. Though you can dance on it, the texture of the floor can make some movements difficult. This room feels the most hidden and blocked off. It is easy to miss, and many do not tend to look unless they approach from the other direction in which they will see the glass first.
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Once you leave the O’Connell Center, you can cross the street to the stadium. Use any of the crosswalks outside of Gate 1 and you will quickly arrive here. The stadium is home to the football team and students who want to use the steps to get a workout in. However, you won’t need to go inside to access more space. There are creative opportunities just under the gates.
Outdoors
Walking north along the west side of the stadium (the O’Connell Center should be on your right), you will find space along the gates. The space runs along the entire west side, covered by a wall in the middle.
The concrete can make dancing difficult, though it is still possible to participate in this space. If your bookings fail or there is nothing available, this is one of the options that requires no preparation. This space will work best with dances that require minimal floorwork or if you would like to work on choreography. Many groups gather here to run dances in the evening, similar to the halls of the Reitz Union. During the day, the space is outside offices and people working.
The space is covered. The shade allows for dancers to gather at any point in the day. The space is also loud due to the echoes. Talking and music, especially from multiple people, can be distracting. It is still possible to have a successful practice and be productive in the space.
Ben Hill Griffin stadium may be the last stop, but it is the beginning of your journey of dance on campus. Any space could be used to connect to dance, and these spaces are not the end of them. Dance classes could even be pursued at other locations like RecSports. Personal exploration, dance organizations, or dance classes allow for a chance to experience these spaces and keep your passions alive.
Happy dancing!
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