One of the finest facilities in the nation when it was completed in 1971, this building was named for Stephen L. Richards. Besides being a proponent of physical education and good sportsmanship, Richards served on the BYU Board of Trustees, as assistant commissioner of Church education and as a counselor in the First Presidency for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Dance Performance Theater, located on the western edge of campus in the Stephen L. Richards Building, serves as a studio and performance space for smaller ensembles and student showcase events from the Department of Dance. The theater features fully retractable seating, allowing the space to function as a classroom studio during academic hours. Seating capacity is 336. Beginning fall 2008, this theater features reserved seating to all events.