As one area is finished, they aim to start work on another aspect of the two facilities. “It’s going
to take some time getting everything online but that gives us time to build our audience and
build our programming,” she says.
While not a producing organization, they hope to be a resource to all of the performing arts
organizations in the county and one day serve as a presenter for music, theatre and dance
groups. “We hope all those organizations that are already here will rent from us or co-produce
with us or, in some way, let us help them magnify their message,” Lucas says.
A veteran of the stage and screen, Lucas joined the organization in September and was charged
with overseeing the development of the sites. “I love the start up field,” she says. “I love the idea
of starting from scratch on something and getting to really invent the mold. I feel like Frederick
is just ripe for this kind of resource.”
Julian Lazarus, New Spire Arts’ director of education, served as a Frederick County Public
Schools drama teacher for more than a decade and helped to launch the Science Technology
Engineering Art and Math (STEAM) Initiative. While putting together this summer’s programming,
he aimed to fill niches that don’t currently exist in our area. “I really wanted to go beyond some
of the normal offerings,” he says. “We don’t overlap programming [with other arts centers]...
I just wanted to create something new and a little bit different than what has traditionally been
offered in our area.”
He is excited about the artists coming in to teach over the summer including Kwame Opare, an
internationally recognized choreographer and Jessica Redish, a Helen Hayes Award winning
choreographer. “We have amazing artists coming into our programs,” Lazarus says, “we are working
with a lot of local artists but we also have brought in some really stellar award winning people.”
Lucas encourages people to check out their upcoming summer program offerings. “This will be a
great opportunity for [folks] to try something new,” she says. “All of our classes this summer are
geared toward all levels, all ages. If there is something they are thinking they want to try, there
is a very low barrier of entry. Everything is pretty short...By coming and checking things out, they
are going to be telling us what they are interested in and we are at that place right now where we
can tailor to what people want and need.”
NewSpireArts.com
15 W Patrick Street, Frederick
301-620-4458
44