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The former Studio Theatre officially became the L. Howard Fox Studio Theatre at a dedication ceremony Friday, Nov. 16. Nearly 100 people attended the ceremony, including Fox's three daughters, Cynthia, Deborah and Amy.

Fox was founding chair of the Department of Speech and Theatre.

Eric Diamond, chair of Theatre and Dance, said Fox had a deep devotion and loyalty to his students. "He had a great passion for theater, but an even greater passion for teaching," Diamond said. "He never missed a show that a student or an alum was in. You could always count on him to see the show." The theater, which has 100 fixed seats and room for an additional 100 flexible seats, recently was renovated thanks to the generosity of faculty, alumni, friends and the Laraja Foundation. The renovations include new carpeting, seating, a new roof and state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems.

Diamond said the Fox Theatre is used for more than performances. "The theater is not just a place where we put on shows," he explained. "It's used as a classroom for acting, directing and lighting classes. It's also used every Friday for Theatre in the Raw. Putting on plays is a big part of the students' training."

Following the dedication ceremony, attendees enjoyed a performance of "Hotel Paradiso," directed by alumnus John Wooten '90, who later that evening received the L. Howard Fox Alumni Award. Wooten, who is the artistic director for TheatreFest, was honored to receive the award. "Howard Fox made such an impact in so many ways," Wooten said. "To be recognized on the same night that we celebrated his life is certainly an honor."

Wooten has written five full-length plays and five one-acts, and has directed more than 15 plays. He has received a New Jersey Council on the Arts Fellowship for playwriting and he won the Lime-Kiln National Playwriting Contest in 1997. In 1998 he was nominated for an American Critics Association New Play Award.