
| Atascadero Performing Arts Center Committee APACC The Vision of APACC to have a performing arts center in Atascadero began 91 years ago when E.G. Lewis, the founder of Atascadero, dreamed of having an Opera House in the heart of town. It was his hope that the Opera House would bring together the citizens of Atascadero to enjoy the culture and beauty found in music and art. The ARTS, both performing and visual, have been part of the fabric of our community from its inception. Today the Atascadero Performing Arts Center Committee shares that dream founded in history. Atascadero is home to incredible actors, musicians, dancers and visual artists and it is home to citizens who love to enjoy their talent. We will attend performances almost anywhere. Currently, performances are held in churches, barns, homes, parks, restaurants and the National Guard Armory. In 2003 Atascadero High School presented Fiddler on the Roof to over 350 people in each of 10 performances at the Armory. The following year they performed 42nd Street at the Junior High due to the earthquake displacing them from the Armory. Additionally, the other north county facilities used for productions by and for all age groups are no longer available due to the earthquake. Our community band seldom performs in the winter due to facility constraints, yet one only has to visit the Atascadero Lake Park on Tuesday night in the summer to witness the joy music brings to our citizens. The arts are for everyone. They inspire, lift up, encourage and motivate us to be more than we thought we could be. They open our hearts and souls to express and experience our deepest feelings. APACC believes that Atascadero needs and will support a performing arts center. Other communities have made this dream come true. We believe that a performing arts center will be the perfect compliment to a revitalized downtown. We already have two “jewels”, the Carlton and The Administration Building, and there are plans for Colony Square and new movie theaters. Soon there will be bridges connecting the Colony Square with the Sunken Gardens, which will encourage strolling the entire downtown area. A performing arts center can be one more jewel to draw people to our downtown and encourage them to spend the day, shopping, eating and enjoying wonderful performances in our beautiful community. We envision a theater for all the Arts. We envision Atascadero as “The Colony of the Arts” Our Mission APACC is a core group of diverse, dedicated citizens who support and believe in the importance of the performing arts. Our mission is to provide a permanent, joint-use facility where the youth and adults of community may develop, express or experience live performances. Our campaign to fund this facility is by harnessing the creative and traditional generosity of the community and other sources. Through our vision and commitment, we will plan, build and sustain a center for the performing arts in Atascadero. Our Beliefs Performing arts express our humanity. A performing arts facility deserves a place of prominence and permanence in our community. A financially sound performing arts facility guarantees its own legacy. The community’s commitment to a performing arts facility in Atascadero reflects its soul and character. Our Board of Directors (Minutes available upon request) JoeAnn Bruzzo (Board of Directors) Joe Ann Bruzzo has worked in the field of education in California for 38 years as a teacher and administrator. During this time she has written and managed federal and community grants. JoeAnn came to Atascadero in 2002 and is currently a member of Quota Club International, the Assistance League of SLO, and AAUW. She is a supporter of the arts through her work on the APACC Board of Directors. Loretta Butts (Board of Directors) Loretta Butts is a Registered Principal and financial advisor. Since moving to the Central Coast in 1989, she has served as the Chair of the San Luis Obispo County Commission on the Status of Women, on the Board of Directors of Life Span Services and Chair of the program advisory committee for the EOC Adult Day Care program in Templeton. Loretta joined the Rotary Club of Atascadero in 1994 and since then has served on several of the club’s boards. In 2001 she was instrumental in the charter of the Rotary Club of Templeton and served as its Charter President. After serving a term on the board of the North County Women’ s Shelter, she was one of the founding members of the Friends of the North County Women’s Shelter Committee. Through her work with Rotary International, Loretta has traveled to Nigeria to assist in the international organization’s goal of eradicating polio while identifying the need for other Rotary sponsored programs and services during her visit. Barbie Butz (Vice Chairperson/Board of Directors) Barbie Butz brings to APACC a rich experience as a leader who has served as president and board member of numerous businesses, community, charitable and youth organizations. She is the recipient of several community and public service awards for her work with disadvantaged women and youth. In 2002, she was Woman of the Year from the 33rd Assembly District and was awarded the 1999 Cuesta College Women of Distinction Community and Public Service Award. She is also the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship Rotary Award and was the 1993 Kiwanian of the Year. Barbie is a graduate of U.C. Santa Barbara and has been married for 45 years to John Butz of Butz Construction. Katrin Colamarino (Board of Directors) Katrin Colamarino, a retired corporate lawyer from New York City, moved to the Central Coast in 2005. She served for four years on the Board of the Alumnae Association of Vassar College and headed a key subcommittee on non-profits for the JP Morgan Chase Bank Women’s Network. Active in the community as a Board Member of the Cuesta Master Chorale, and President for the Rotary Club of Templeton, Katrin also operates her own consulting business providing counsel in the areas of strategic planning, event planning and development to several local non-profits . Her professional experience of leadership in the non-profit area and her legal skills are useful to the APACC Board. Marlene Cordero (Board of Directors) Dr. Marlene Cordero is a Psychiatrist and serves on many professional boards and organizations. She is President of the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California, which provides free surgical, medical, and dental cards to nearly 10,000 patients annually in the Philippines. She has served as AHS Choir Boosters President from 2001-2004 and is currently the Chairperson of the Atascadero Performing Arts Center Committee. Wendy Gibson (Secretary/Board of Directors) Wendy Gibson has 25 years in banking and finance and currently works in Business Services at Atascadero Schools. She has a love of arts of all kinds. She was a founding member of the AHS Drama Boosters in 2002 and continues to have a desire to serve the community on the APACC Board of Directors. She feels that contributing to a community facility for the performing arts is her opportunity to help shape the lives of gifted artists in the community. Kathy Hannemann (Chairperson/Board of Directors) Kathy Hannemann is the Assistant Superintendent of Atascadero Schools and is a supporter of Arts in Education. She founded a booster association for drama parents to support high school productions and continues to find new ways to bring arts to students through the Atascadero Fine Arts Academy, Atascadero Junior High School and Atascadero High School arts programs. Her work on a community project will expand her interest in this area. Dyann Shepard (Treasurer/Board of Directors) Dyann Shepard is a CPA and has lived on the Central Coast since 1987. She has served on the Boards of Friends of the Lake Pavilion, ARCC, Colony Days and Newcomers. She was an active member in both the AHS Choir and Drama Boosters. Dyann is currently on the Board of APACC as well as Quota International of Atascadero. She brings to the Board a love of the arts and a desire to see a permanent facility where students as well as adults can perform, teach and bring the joy of the arts to the North County. Stu Stoddard (Board of Directors) Stu Stoddard is Director of Facilities and Construction at Atascadero Schools with a strong avocation in music and drama through his past involvement in Pioneer Players, North County Baroque Ensemble and the Camarada Singers. He brings to the Board of Directors an invaluable understanding of building and construction as well as practical experience in working with contractors and trade workers. Cherie Williams (Board of Directors) Cherie Williams has a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Cal Poly. After completing her education, Cherie began teaching in Bakersfield. Cherie moved to Atascadero in 1980 and began teaching at Atascadero High School. After receiving her Master’s degree in counseling, Cherie became a counselor at the high school. Cherie is currently a counselor at Del Rio Continuation High School. With her assistance, Del Rio Continuation School has been remodeled, revised its graduation requirements, readjusted its staffing plans, and has provided an opportunity for success for many students. Her experience in the arts includes an interest in dance, drill team and choreography. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Tom O’Malley (Honorary Board Member) Tom O’Malley, a native of Atascadero, attended K through 12th in Atascadero Schools, was Student Body President at Cuesta College, and earned degrees from UCSB (Economics) and Cal Poly (Counseling). Tom O’Malley currently serves on the Atascadero City Council and was former mayor of Atascadero. He is an administrator of the County Mental Health Department, Colony Days Committee Chairman, and active in many other community organizations. The O’Malley family members were active in band, choir and dance while at AUSD schools and continue to be active in supporting artistic expression. Richard Summers (Honorary Board Member) Richard Summers is a renowned performer, businessman, and arts activist. Richard began his international musical career in 1953 appearing on CBS television, and in recent years has presented numerous concerts benefiting a wide variety of non-profit organizations in the north county. Richard recognizes the value of the arts in the lives of our children and in 2001 he established The Richard Summers Foundation for the Arts, a non-profit organization founded to raise money to support the performing arts in the Atascadero community. Mike Zappas (Honorary Board Member) Michael Zappas has a bachelor’s degree in biology from UCSC. After completing his education, Mike spent three years traveling, working his way around the world. He currently oversees six businesses and has started five businesses from the ground up. He and his wife are the proud parents of four children who have been active in band and choral music. Mike has completed numerous marathons and triathlons, including the Hawaiian Ironman. He brings experience in construction and contracting to the APACC Board. return to top of page |

| Atascadero Performing Arts Center Committee PO Box 690 Atascadero, CA 93423 805.423.0329 info@atascaderopac.org |