The Lear Theater is about to get dramatic, with the new owners “Sierra School of Performing Arts”
~Video and Article by Dana Nollsch~
Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking with Janet Lazarus and Judy Davis Rounds of the Sierra School of Performing Arts about how they arrived at where they are today and where they are heading in the future.
As most of you already know the Sierra School of Performing Arts has been awarded the Lear Theater in Downtown Reno to transform this historic building into a working theater. This was the dream of Moya Lear when she pledged 1.1 Million Dollars to the project in 1997. The community matched and surpassed that monetary pledge, raising an additional 1.3 Million Dollars so that the building could be purchased in 1998.
Many people in the arts and historic preservation communities here in Reno feel that this historic building deserves a new life. The Lear Theater started its life in 1939, designed by the architect Paul R. Williams for the First Church of Christ, Scientist. The funding of $120,000 was provided by Anna Frandsen Loomis, a wealthy member of the congregation.
Now the building has found itself in a state of transition, a transition that has left it empty for almost two decades.
In talking to Janet and Judy I have faith that they will be able to bring the community together to not only save this historic property but also that with their tenacity and desire they will open up a new and vibrant place in Reno for the arts to thrive and grow for the next generation.
Check out the video to find out more from Janet and Judy.
To find out more about the Sierra School of Performing Arts, check out their website: http://www.sierraschoolofperformingarts.org/
