Atlas Arts Center to Open This Year

I have always loved theater, dance and music. The Atlas Performing Arts Center, which is coming to 1333 H St. NE, will provide all of that and more. I am very excited to have this venue within walking distance of my home.

When it is finished, the Atlas will give us a 276-fixed-seat theater with state-of-the-art stage equipment, lighting and sound. The Atlas will also include a 225-flexi-seat theater, three dance studios, two theater labs (for readings, community meetings, classes and other smaller performances), a production shop and costume shop. The Arts Center will house office space for the Atlas management and Joy of Motion (http://www.joyofmotion.org) — which will manage the dance program at the Atlas. The performing arts center will open in stages, beginning late this year.

On April 20, Sharon Cochran (1300 block of Emerald Street NE) and I attended an Atlas community meeting held at Sherwood Recreation Center. Laverne Law, chair of the Atlas Community Advisory Council, led the meeting.

Jane Lang, president of the Atlas Board, told us that by Thanksgiving, the three dance studios, the two theater labs, the restored marquee and new lighting across the entire front of the building will be completed. Lighting and dancing classes, held in the storefront windows, will dramatically enliven the 1300 block of H Street. I've mentioned this to several of our neighbors, and we're eager to begin dance or yoga classes this winter.

Deanne Maria Costa, director of education for Joy of Motion, told us her group will be sponsoring classes from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for all ages (from kids to seniors). Currently, Joy of Motion sponsors tap dancing for grades 2 to 4, creative movement for kindergarten and faculty yoga classes at Miner Elementary School. Joy of Motion was able to gather enough donations to outfit each of the students in the tap classes with a pair of tap shoes. The Atlas has an Arts Access Fund to support students in the performing arts and welcomes donations from the community.

In addition, the Atlas has a building fund to support renovation of the Arts Center itself. It is a pay-as-you-go plan, so the speed with which the construction continues (beyond the November 2004 schedule) will depend on the level of funding the nonprofit can obtain through donations. $6.4 million of the estimated $14 million needed for renovation has been collected.

John Sherwood, of Tishman Construction Company, the company managing the construction effort, spoke with us at the meeting, presenting the following sequence of renovation planned after the November 2004 completions:

• Flexi-seat theater and major roof repair;

• Lobby, promenade, Great Hall, and basement offices;

• Fixed-seat theater with state-of-the-art lighting, sound and stage equipment — things will pop up and come down from the ceiling and come in from the sides and the back of the theater (quite exciting).

Mr. Sherwood emphasized that if individuals are interested in working on construction of the theater they should contact Mike Davis, who is on site and has application forms. Although Tishman is not itself hiring, the company will give these applications to appropriate contractors for their consideration. There is a genuine interest in hiring D.C. residents for the work.

The African Continuum Theater (ACTCo) is also a partner of the Atlas. The renowned choreographer, dancer, actor and teacher Debbie Allen is another Atlas partner; she and Jane Lang are discussing a future production at the Atlas. Additional partners include Dance Place, Symphony Space, The Washington Performing Arts Society and Tribute Productions.

If you want to get involved in the Atlas project or to contribute to either the building or arts access funds, contact Scott Kenison, Administrator, Atlas Performing Arts Center, at 1614 20th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009. You can also contact him at 772-1153 or skenison@atlasarts.org. The Atlas Performing Arts Center's Web site is http://www.atlasarts.org.

I hope you are as excited as I am to live only a few blocks away from such an impressive performing arts program. Starting in late fall or early winter, you'll see me on H Street a lot! §