At Antonia”™s Academy for the Performing Arts in Peekskill, owner Scarlett Antonia plans to wed Westchester artists with New York City name talent.
Antonia”™s nonprofit organization Antonia Arts Inc. recently opened the academy in Studio Two at 814 South St. in the Peekskill Artlofts.
“I was living in the city when I heard there were lofts available through a city grant,” Antonia said. “I came out, saw the space, walked out and said, ”˜This is it.”™”
According to Brian Havranek, acting city manager, Antonia”™s studio is one among 28 artists lofts. There are 58 other units, bringing the total number in the artists district to 86, he said. Antonia”™s space is about 1,200 square feet.
The lofts were completed in 2002 as “a joint effort between the city of Peekskill and the New York state Division of Housing and Community Renewal,” Havranek said, in regard to the $3.7 million live/work project. City records indicate $875,000 in infrastructure was provided by Westchester County and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“To live and work in the lofts, you have to be certified by the city of Peekskill,” Havranek said. “The certification goes beyond just people in the arts, it includes people like architects, graphic designers, those in the literary and music world.”
Antonia”™s academy is rooted in classical ballet training and requires an audition for enrollment.
“My background is in classical ballet, so that is our strength right now, but I do want ballet students to take theater classes down the road, because that makes the total performer,” Antonia said. “We are also bringing in guest artists for workshops.”
Antonia said of the workshops, “The best way to describe it is an open class. You don”™t have to be in the academy. If you”™re an adult who enjoys dance and ballet, there are classes available.”
Antonia said there are open classes once a week now, though a Zumba Fitness and adult ballet classes will begin in about a month; workshops will highlight renowned New York names like Matt Corizone and Edward Ellison.
Prior to the launch of the academy, Antonia choreographed and directed more than 200 international performances. She toured nationally with director and choreographer Peter Gannero. She directed and co-produced Ushers Onstage at Lincoln Center and eight years ago she choreographed and directed her original ballet Wonderland Follies at Lincoln Center. Antonia also choreographed a dance recital for a disabled student in work with television show “Sesame Street.”
As for the economy? “I think now, more than ever, people need to tap into their creative resources,” Antonia said. “People say, ”˜What do you do?”™ For us, it”™s always been like this, walking a tightrope, going from one job to another in the performing arts ”¦ heading into the unknown.”
The Web site is www.antoniaarts.com.
For loft information, visit www.peekskillartlofts.com.
