On December 8 the Greenbelt Arts Center (GAC) celebrated its 40th anniversary with an informal gathering after a performance of The Phantom Tollbooth, attended by an audience of all ages.
According to co-founder Konrad Herling, GAC was conceived as a cultural center that would promote a variety of the arts. The idea was born from the 1979 city council election. Herling, then a resident of the Springhill Lake Apartments (now Franklin Park), was encouraged to run for council to represent another part of the city.
Herling recalled his father saying that behind the screen at the movie theater was a stage that had been used by the Greenbelt Players early in the city’s history. Having been an avid supporter of the arts, Herling saw an opportunity to create a venue for cultural events that would “bring people together from the entire community working together on a common endeavor.” Additionally, utilizing a building that had been vacant for three years would help revitalize the town center. This became a platform on his campaign for a council seat.
Though Herling did not win a council seat that year, he was heartened that there was keen interest in an arts center and was able to secure the space with the theater owner, George Christacos, for $500 a month. Enlisting the help of people like Ken Voigt, Steve Hooper, Fred Baluch, Trix Whitehall, Lindley Darden, Rick LaRocca, Daryl Beard, Bill Ayers, Linda Curtis, Joyce Magnum, Shirley Hibbs, Tom and Angela Schreiber and John Ward, the venue was made ready from a technical and organizational standpoint.
The opening on December 8, 1979, included classic films, dance, music, visual arts and even a Gong Show.
The arts center moved after June 30, 1988, when the rent tripled, to other locations such as Mishkan Torah, Capitol College, Springhill Lake Recreation Center and the city council chambers.
In the fall of 1993, the current location, a former realty office, was obtained, through the efforts of Marie Tousignant. The first event there was in December 1993, with a production of The Lion’s Den.
Said Herling, “I hope that one day Greenbelt will have a new performing arts center that will offer an even wider range of arts opportunities for the community.
”GAC President Win Britt expressed pride over what has been accomplished over GAC’s 40 years, and said that this year has been “plenty successful” all around. Yet, he also remarked on the challenges of selling live theater in a world dominated by online media. He said he is “looking to the next 10 years” to not only increase audiences and community participation, but to modernize the GAC facility. Britt sees the future in youth involvement in both shows and audiences, and GAC now offers lower ticket prices for kids and students. More community outreach and more sold-out shows, such as the current production, rank high on his list of goals.
All of the cast of The Phantom Tollbooth expressed pride and excitement about being part of the 40-year milestone. Director Jon Gardner was “happy to be part of it” and pleased by the abundance of energy this year, affording him the chance to work with many of the performers from his last three shows, as well as welcoming some new faces. Actor Dave Buckingham viewed GAC as offering “great community theater,” especially the children’s shows. He was heartened to see young people excelling and being part of something beyond “sitting at home,” absorbed in video games. Actor Aref Dajani was moved by being part of a history of theatrical productions and “something bigger than myself.” He said that it was proximity to GAC that led him to become a resident of Greenbelt Homes, Inc.
Britt said this anniversary is a chance for celebrating longevity and is focused on keeping continuity through the many options GAC is capable of providing to Greenbelt.