Trillium Performing Arts, a cornerstone of the Greenbrier Valley’s vibrant cultural resources, announces a transition of lead staff. The position of Business Coordinator and School Administrator passes from Larry Levine to Arabeth Balasko in early July. Since 1982, the charitable nonprofit organization has provided educational opportunities for age 3-98 and performance opportunities involving local and guest professionals and community volunteers. Since 2007, Trillium is the company-in-residence at the historic Lewis Theatre.
Levine began as a student, performer, parent of several students and member of the Board during the 1980s. In 2007 he was recruited to join staff as Business Coordinator, a position he has fulfilled and expanded. Trillium keeps low administrative costs with only two part-time office staff, some years with assistance from an AmeriCorps or VISTA volunteer. The Collective, non-hierarchical structure of Trillium sets up the Business and Program Coordinators together to share the role usually fulfilled by an “executive director.”
Levine’s background included a BS in Economics from the Wharton School at the U of Pennsylvania, real estate, intentional community, construction, crafts, farming, home schooling, food cooperatives, charitable foundations and serving on several other organizational boards. He has worked with three different Program Coordinators at Trillium and let the board know six months ago that he felt it was time to retire, while planning to be active as a board member and volunteer. He was surprised at the Trillium School for Performing Arts annual recital on May 17 by having the event dedicated in honor of his service with kind words, flowers, a lovely cake, and on-screen photos.
Trillium launched a nationwide search in May, and the finance-personnel committee members reviewed, interviewed and submitted a recommendation to the board. Trillium welcomes Arabeth Balasko, who is looking forward to returning to Lewisburg, her family’s home for many years, upon her immanent completion of a research fellowship project in Rhode Island.
As an AmeriCorps volunteer (2013-14), Balasko served at North House Museum and Ronceverte Development Corporation. Prior to that, her education included earning a BA from WVU and a MA from U Mass.
She brings a mixture of skills, personality, interest, and innovation to this position and is looking forward to immersing herself in the arts. She believes that Trillium is an organization which will provide her the opportunity to learn from, and engage with, a variety of individuals with differing artistic backgrounds.
Balasko is dedicated to the preservation of cultural and grassroots movements, and is interested in protecting and fostering interpretive learning programs that advocate the preservation and continued growth of the arts. Although not a performing artist herself, Balasko still feels that every individual has some form of artistry to share.
Balasko hopes she will “make a positive difference and inspire others to get involved and become part of the Trillium community.”
For more information about Trillium, visit the website, Facebook, or stop by the office at 115 N Court Street, at the historic Lewis Theatre in downtown Lewisburg.
