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After being unable to receive government assistance or rent assistance, Ohlook Performing Arts Center is moving out of its space in Grapevine and rebranding itself as Ohlook Online, according to a press release.
“We are in the process of moving out right now. Since we just don't know what the future holds, we don't know when we will be back in a physical space, but yes, of course, we would love to have our own space again,” Jill Lord, the executive director of Ohlook Online, says. “It's very difficult to walk away from something that took us 18 years to build up (especially since we just remodeled a year ago) but it is what it is and we are so excited to be able to have such great friends that are willing to come in and help us.”
Ohlook Online will be offering summer training sessions, workshops and weekly camps online featuring people who were involved in Broadway productions such as "Dear Evan Hansen" and "Newsies." Some of the sessions offered will focus on dancing, writing and creativity and fun for younger kids.
“The people we have been able to gather rarely have enough free time to do workshops and classes but the best — and worst — is that right now they do and they are looking for ways to create and give back to the theater community,” Jill says. "This time might never — and hopefully it won't — happen again where so many people are available at the same time.”
The platform for the online training sessions, workshops and weekly camps will launch beginning June 6, according to a press release.
“I'm going to miss seeing students and casts face to face — nothing can replace the magic happens when we are all physically together but this has to be the way it is right now for the health and safety of everyone, so we will make it work,” Jill says.