Push for the Arts Gains Momentum in West County

Rebecca Feibel has taught theatre and acted all over Anne Arundel County, but has long yearned for a more robust arts scene in the Odenton and Crofton area. 

The theater veteran is spearheading a campaign to expand opportunities in theater and the arts, with a push for more space to hold performances and classes. In particular, she is looking to expand opportunities for children. 

"What I hear from parents is that they'd love for their kids to get involved in the arts, if only it was here," the mother of two from Gambrills said. 

What began initially as a desire for community space has grown into something larger, with a full push toward creating the West Arundel Creative Arts initiative. Feibel and board members have been meeting with a wide range of people in the community to secure space, recruit teachers and brainstorm about long-term plans. 

"There's been a lot of interest," she said. "It's grown tremendously, I have three to four meetings a week. It's been big, because people want it and there's nothing out here."

WACA is in the process of getting set up as an official non-profit group. Once it's established, Feibel said she hopes it sustains itself through income from theater classes and shows, as well as possible grant money. 

There is a long-term goal of getting a permanent space. In the meantime, the group is working out arrangements to use some vacant storefronts or other community spaces. Discussions with those involved in the Crofton Regional Community Center have also been positive, Feibel said.

"There are definitely a lot of elements to this," she said. "It's about getting the puzzle pieces to fit together." 

Feibel is currently rehearsing for a role in the popular play Annie with the Colonial Players. She has also acted with Second Start productions and has performed in theaters in Annapolis, Bowie, Laurel and other spots in the area. 

Feibel has recently held theater classes for residents of Piney Orchard. The classes are geared toward children between 3 years old and teenage years. She said the classes are relatively inexpensive. 

"We really want to make it accessible to people," she said. "Nobody's getting rich off of this."