Ohlook Performing Arts Center came on the scene in 2002 and had 4 students in our first class (2 of those being family!) Founded by professional singers, Matthew Lord and Jill Blalock Lord, they continued forward and word quickly grew about this little theaer school in this tiny space where kids could come and be themselves. A place which wasn’t about competition or who’s the best but about opportunity and giving everyone a chance to express themselves in a positive, caring environment. So in the past 6 years Ohlook has grown virtually just through word of mouth, and each year hundreds of kids from ages 3 on up come through classes. In the past 9 years Ohlook has produced 100 musicals and straight plays. In a day and age where most schools only produce 1 musical a year and 1 or 2 straight plays, Ohlook has been the place where young actors can come study and get experience—and a lot of it!
Each semester Ohlook tries to provide classes and productions classes that will help our students to grow - not only as performers but as individuals. Increasing confidence and self-esteem in our students iss priority number one. We create a safe environment where students are never afraid to explore, fail, and succeed! At Ohlook it is the effort that is rewarded not just the natural talent and we find by nurturing the effort and work that the true talent is able to shine through!
Ohlook also prides itself on bringing in professionals to work with their students and speak with them to give them a perspective on theatre that only comes from someone in the business. Ohlook is the only children’s theatre in the metroplex that brings in so many professionals and of such high caliber to help teach our students. In recent years Ohlook has welcomed, Anthony Rapp (original cast of “Rent” on Broadway), Jay Hunter Morris (International Opera Star), Keith Buterbaugh (from Broadway’s “Company”, “Phantom” and “Sweeney Todd”), Candace Evans (International Director/Choreographer/Actor), Thomas Douglas (Conductor and Coach Carnegie Mellon University) and Marla Mindelle (Kitty from Nat’l Tour of “The Drowsy Chaperone”) to name just a few.
Theatre is like a family, and Ohlook is no different! Our older students have even named us.... Ohlookians! We hope you'll give our family a try!
Jill Blalock Lord is a professional opera singer having performed with such companies as San Francisco Opera, Ft. Worth Opera, Augusta Opera, and New Jersey Opera, as well as touring extensively across Spain and France. Some of her favorite roles include, Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor, Violetta in La Traviata, and Rosina in The Barber of Seville. A versatile performer she also toured the Broadway musical, The King and I as Tuptim with Stacy Keach in America and Japan and has recently been seen locally as The Witch in Into the Woods and Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret. A native of Texas, Jill received a Vocal Performance degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, where she had obtained the prestigious Hewitt Scholarship and studied voice with the brilliant and incomparable Mary Gillas. Mrs. Blalock Lord has the distinction of being a first place district winner and a three time regional finalist of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions.
Through Ohlook it is her hope to educate and instill a love of theatre and music in her students so that the arts will continue to thrive in this country. In her spare time she also teaches voice, home schools her 2 amazing, beautiful daughters, Emma & Grace and is Stage and Company Manager for her husband’s touring show, The 3 Redneck Tenors.
Ohlook Board of Directors
Beth van Amerongen, President James McQuillen, Vice President Vicki Pierce, Secretary Robin King, Treasurer
Heather Biddle John Davenport - Publicity Committee Jeff DeSimone - Guild President Julie Hahn - Publicity Committee Jeff Kavanaugh - Grant Committee Pamela Langton - Historian Jill Lord - Artistic Director Samantha Padilla - Fundraising Chair Pamela Purvis Kiimberly Smith Shelley Wallis - Past President Taylor Wallis - Publicity Chair
