'Antonovich Amphitheatre' dedicated at L.A. County High School for the Arts

LOS ANGELES, May 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A dedication ceremony for a new amphitheatre at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) was held May 12 to honor Supervisor Michael Antonovich, a co-founder of the school whose generous $875,000 grant enabled completion of the 600-seat outdoor performance space.

The amphitheatre enhances LACHSA's new $31 million facility, which opened in 2013. Since its founding in 1985 until that year the region's premier public arts high school had never had a home of its own, sharing facilities on the Cal State L.A. campus.

"Supervisor Antonovich was among those who had the vision to found a public school that could nurture our most promising young talent in the visual and performing arts," said Arturo Delgado, superintendent of the Los Angeles County Office of Education, which operates LACHSA in partnership with and on the campus of Cal State L.A. "This amphitheatre is a very visible and tangible demonstration of his unwavering support for our students' educational and artistic journey."

Elected and education officials joined with students, families, alumni, school personnel and supporters for the evening dedication ceremony, which preceded a benefit concert for the school. Donating their talent for the event were Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Chris Botti, Mariachi Sol de Mexico and actress Jane Kaczmarek.

"This amphitheatre is a fitting tribute to Supervisor Antonovich, who received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Cal State L.A. and is one of our strongest supporters and most distinguished alumni," said University President William A. Covino. "Congratulations to the supervisor and our friends at LACHSA."

Supervisor Antonovich noted that he and philanthropist Caroline Ahmanson were privileged to participate in the founding of LACHSA. "I congratulate the school on this superb amphitheatre. No high school is more deserving of this facility, which will continue our shared effort to provide students with a high-quality education as well as creative opportunities in the arts for years to come," he said.

The amphitheatre provides much-needed space for performances and school assemblies.

"Our new facility has gone from great to amazing with the addition of the amphitheatre," said LACHSA Principal Mitzi Lizárraga. "We truly have a learning environment that matches the excellence of our students, faculty and staff."

Notable LACHSA alumni include recording artist Josh Groban, painter Kehinde Wiley and playwright Josefina Lopez. The award-winning school combines college-preparatory academic instruction with conservatory-style training in the visual and performing arts. It serves some 600 diverse students from across Los Angeles County who are selected through a competitive process of juried auditions or portfolio review.

The nonprofit Arts High Foundation raises funds to support the arts training offered to students free of charge.

Learn more at: www.lachsa.net. Photos of the amphitheatre may be downloaded at: www.tinyurl.com/qfhwsc

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150513/215892

SOURCE Los Angeles County Office of Education

Related Links

http://www.lacoe.edu