St. Louis arts center celebrates new expansion

UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. -- When James Smith was growing up in suburban St. Louis, he thought he might become a janitor.

A mediocre student, he didn't feel he had many options. But when he began dance classes at a community arts center called COCA, teacher Lee Nolting helped him learn he had talent. Now, the professional dancer is on the verge of beginning rehearsal as an ensemble member for "Tarzan", a new Broadway musical by Disney opening this spring.

The Center of Creative Arts in University City is on the verge of something big, too -- a new, $7 million expansion that will bring two artistic legends, dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and playwright Edward Albee, to town this weekend.

The renovation and expansion is more than just bricks-and-mortar improvement. COCA is already considered the second-largest multidisciplinary community arts center in the nation among members in the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts, a New York City-based organization for hundreds of arts education non-profits. The largest in a ranking by operating budget was the Colburn School in Los Angeles.

The updates should allow COCA a chance to educate even more people about the arts.

"Whether they become professionals or not, we hope they'll take the creative process into their lives," COCA executive director Stephanie Riven said Wednesday. Like many community arts centers, COCA looks to educate both those pursuing a career in the arts and those just looking to dabble or learn something new.

So a dancer in the preprofessional program may take a vigorous series of classes, while receiving onsite academic tutoring and transportation to and from the center.

But COCA also has offered classes like "Salsa and Salsa," where students learned both how to cook up some spicy food and some spicy new dance moves. Or "No Holds Bard," a stage combat class for young Shakespearean actors. Another -- with a title containing a built-in definition -- is called "Singing for Those Who Have been Asked Not To."

"If we had put 'Singing for Adults,' it probably wouldn't still be around," Riven said, noting they try to make offerings fun to attract participants.

COCA was founded in 1986, after developer Richard Baron discussed the idea for an arts center with a friend, local artist Dorothy Dubinsky.

He learned that the B'nai Amoona Congregation was interested in selling its synagogue, which had been designed in 1950 by architect Eric Mendelsohn and was on the National Register of Historic Places.

Architect Andrew Trivers worked to transform the structure, known for its parabolic roof, into a theater, classrooms and studios for the visual and performing arts. His Trivers Associates worked on the new expansion project as well.

"We jokingly call it the Miracle on Trinity Avenue," Riven said.

COCA began with an $80,000 budget and a staff of four. Today, its budget is $4.3 million with a full-time staff of 40 and an education program enrollment approaching 20,000 annually.

The new 11,000-square-foot addition and a 36,000-square-foot renovation allow for a new lobby, black box theater and dance studio, as well as office space and an improved backstage to an existing theater.

On Friday, COCA will hold a building dedication and gala with Baryshnikov and Albee. On Saturday, Albee, the multi-Pulitzer Prize and Tony winner, will give a keynote address; master classes and workshops will be offered in dance and theater. On Sunday, a free open house and events for the public are from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.