Pnb Moves Into The Phelps Center

Pacific Northwest Ballet dancers, fresh from their first class in one of eight new studios, yesterday prowled the hallways of their new home, formerly airspace in the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall.

They poked their heads into this therapy room, that lounge, this office, that dressing room. They marveled at the many showers, something in short supply at their former studios in the Good Shepherd Center.

Principal dancer Brent Davi said, "It's huge, when you're not used to much space," and soloist Sterling Kekoa called it "totally fabulous."

The Phelps Center, a 52,300-square-foot, $7.5 million remodeled, state-of-the-art dance facility brings the city's major performing arts into one "corridor of culture" on Mercer Street.

The building is named in honor of Sheffield and the late Patricia Phelps, major supporters of PNB.

Francia Russell, PNB co-artistic director, noted, "We just came in and spread out. It's amazing how it all fits."

Principal accompanist Irv Huck said he'd tried the pianos in all studios, "and the sound is about perfect."

Paula Prewett, PNB school principal, said, "I can't wait for 3 o'clock, when the kids are out of school and start spilling through the building."

The move will affect several thousand students, staff, parent helpers, faculty, musicians, costumers, archivists, technicians and administrators.

The school will not add more students beyond its current 400, but will add modern and jazz dance, plus music theory, dance history and acting.

Students now will have comfortable places to sit and do homework while waiting for rides, a place to enjoy their lunch, and rooms for teachers to plan classes and meet with parents and youngsters.

"It only took 13 years," said PNB co-artistic director Kent Stowell, "but we finally got our new building." He said the dance company wanted something simple but tasteful, giving value for the money, yet lasting.

"The studios were the main thing," he said, "and we did them right, with no compromises." The main studio double as an alternative performance space.

"This was a community effort," he said. "All the people, including the staff, students and parents as well as the larger community, gave so much. I'm so proud of what they have done. This is the most important arts building of this decade."

A public ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 26.