Beverly Arts Center names Shellee Frazee first artistic director

CHICAGO - May 1, 2014 - PRLog -- Shellee Frazee, 55, has been named the first artistic director of Beverly Arts Center (BAC), according to executive director Heather Ireland Robinson. Frazee has worked as an instructor and coordinator of BAC’s dance and theater programs since 2009. Her appointment to the newly created position of artistic director is the latest benchmark in the not-for-profit’s ongoing rejuvenation of its arts programs and offerings.

    “I want our programs to stand on equal footing. All of them—dance, visual arts, music, film and theater—should move forward together,” says Frazee. Her goal is to maintain BAC’s connection to its existing community and members while concurrently expanding the arts center’s scope by nurturing a conservatory-like curriculum to run parallel to its current slate of classes. Frazee explains, “Our ultimate aim is to create two tracks here: a casual one for people who want to sample a particular arts discipline and try things out, and a more regimented option for serious students who want to pursue their creativity to a professional level.”

    As a former owner and director of her own performing arts company, Frazee brings with her more than 20 years experience in both sides of the arts world—the creative side and the business side. “We were attracted to Shellee’s remarkable depth and breadth of experience and passion for the arts.” says Robinson. “From performing to directing, from administration to relating with the families of our students, she really does possess the complete vocabulary of arts education, creation and production.”

    Frazee says, “One of my favorite quotes is from Twyla Tharp, who told her students, ‘Before you even hit the stage, make sure that you’re in the moment—always be ready.’” She continues, “I want Beverly Arts Center to be what the community needs now, to be in our moment, and to also be ready for where I know we can go.”

    Beverly Arts Center is a not-for-profit organization focused on serving southwest metro Chicago with programs in dance, visual arts, music, film and theater since 1968. Its 40,000-square-foot facility in Chicago’s historic Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood houses galleries, classrooms, rehearsal spaces and a 400-person theater. BAC also functions as home base for the Center’s extensive community outreach.

    For more information, please call 773-445-3838 or visit beverlyartcenter.org.