Old theater to bring new hope for kids' art academy

The Children's Academy of Arts and Theatre has helped children find their artistic side through performing arts, visual arts and music.

Now, the academy has found a permanent home.

The Champion for Children Foundation of Highlands County, which sponsors the academy, has purchased Sebring's historical Circle Theatre to house the group.

Kevin Roberts, the Foundation's CEO, described the purchase as a dream and a work in progress.

While the program is entering its third year with the Foundation, there has always been a desire to have a permanent facility where classes and performances can be held.

Currently, the program holds courses in the Community Center in Avon Park and other locations in Sebring.

The foundation's Vice Chairwoman, Pat Leidel, described it as a "perfect project" for the revitalization of the Sebring Circle.

"The purpose is to give them (the kids) an outlet, a safe haven, hope," she said. "Research has found that the arts lead to better education."

Plans are for the restoration of the Circle Theatre to be finished for Sebring's Centennial celebration in 2012.

Upon completion, the building will also be made available for events and other venues to help fund the academy's program.

Krista Flores, the academy's director, has an extensive background in the arts.

Though she started college talking classes in pre-law at Middle Tennessee State University, she soon realized that the theater was her calling and switched to the arts.

She attended Palm Beach Atlantic University, taking classes in both education and theater education and majored in art at South Florida Community College.

She worked at Florida Stage in South Palm Beach and was a director for Little Palm Theatre in Boca Raton.

"I want the community to understand the importance of culture and arts for children and teenagers…. A community needs this," Flores said.

Foundation Chairwoman Nancy Hensley explained that the 1923 building was the first movie theater in the area.

The Foundation has a history of restoring old buildings.

The Children's Advocacy Center was an old 7-11 store, the Women's Safe House used to be a garden center and site for garbage trucks, and the current Champion for Children Foundation office was an old home.

When asked about the renovation, Roberts described his "dream team" of board members, builders, instructors and volunteers for this project as professionals that have a "servant's heart."

Architect Suzanne Hunnicutt of Chastain Skillman, and contractor David Liebold of Owl Construction have already been selected for the project.

Assistance with renovation has and will also be provided by Hensley; board member Pat Leidel; Robert Flores, the director of facilities at SFCC; Sherrie Abraham of ReMax Realty; Bob Bucy of Home Builders Institute; and Pete Zeegers of Avon Park Youth Academy, which has subcontracted Restorative Justice, a vocational program for youthful offenders, to do some of the construction work as a learning program.

The academy's summer program, which includes acting, ballroom dance, visual arts and etiquette courses, will begin May 17.

Scholarships are available to those in foster care or in need. Auditions for an original adaptation of the play "The Little Mermaid" will be held on May 17 and May 19 at the Community Center in Avon Park. The show will open July 11 for six shows with tickets available to the public.

People interested in enrollment, scholarship information, auditioning, or tickets may contact Flores at 863-212-0800 or visit the website at www.ccfhighlands.org

Flores is excited about the renovation and having a permanent home for the academy.

"We have an incredible vision for the Circle Theatre. This is an exciting time as we plan for the opening," she added.