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Fine arts center near completion
By MICHELLE JONES © St. Petersburg Times, published March 22, 2001 WESLEY CHAPEL -- The performing arts are about to get a big boost in East Pasco. The Center for Fine Arts at Wesley Chapel High School will be comparable in size to the Playhouse at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, said Patrick L. McDermott, the director of the Pasco facility. With plans for a gala grand opening in mid to late May, McDermott can barely contain his excitement. During a tour of the site, he shared his three-part vision for the facility. First, the 900-seat center will serve students, and then it will offer community events such as musicals, plays, recitals and dance performances. And finally, professional shows will be booked. "My vision is to make it a learning community in its own right," said McDermott, 53. A similar center is at River Ridge, on the west side of Pasco County. Accessibility for students on the east side of the county is an important aspect of the center. McDermott also hopes to form alliances with the University of South Florida and Saint Leo theater departments. "I would like to see some of the performers come and do workshops for the people of Pasco County," he said. The center has a 70-foot-wide stage and a 45-foot-high opening above the wooden stage that permits scene changing. The second floor holds spotlights and a state-of-the-art mixing console for sound and lighting. There will also be "a visual art gallery in front," McDermott said. Two large dressing rooms are behind the stage as well as two smaller principal dressing rooms. Outside is a large grassy area where benches will be placed and "for people to mill around, before and after productions," he said. McDermott's background prepared him for his new position. He has a bachelor's degree in instrumental music from Florida State University and two master's degrees in composition from FSU and the University of South Florida. He played in the orchestra of some Broadway productions and touring shows, and most recently was band director at Pine View Middle School. For 1996-1997,he was selected as Pine View's Teacher of the Year. He has been married to his wife, Caryn, for 30 years. They have one son, Paul, who is a senior at the University of Florida. Mrs. McDermott is assistant principal at Land O'Lakes High School. Bob Dorn, administrative assistant for secondary, adult and alternative schools with Pasco County, said it would take a special person to be the director of the center, and McDermott meets the challenge. "He (the director) has to have knowledge of the arts, the ability to work with the community and have leadership and management qualities," said Dorn. "He (McDermott) brings an outstanding background." The center will foster the arts and provide an opportunity to perform and learn how to be an audience, Dorn added. "Most kids don't know how to be an audience," said Dorn. The center is 15,072 square feet and will cost $3.1-million, of which $500,000 is covered by a grant from the Florida Fine Arts Council. A gala grand opening with an internationally recognized jazz orchestra is in the planning stages. "Students and members of the community will hopefully be enriched by the artistic presentations anticipated," said McDermott. - Michelle Jones covers central Pasco community news. She can be reached at (813) 226-3459. Her e-mail address is jones@sptimes.com.
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