It’s been a busy summer for Brent Woods.

As the Senior Director of Arts and Culture at Montgomery County Community College gears up to help launch the grand reopening of the renovated theater on Blue Bell Campus this fall, Woods was also saluted recently for his work supporting music education in the community. 

The Norristown School District was recognized recently by the National Association of Music Merchants as a Best Community for Music Education for the eighth year in a row. In turn, the district wanted to recognize some of it partners for helping it to achieve the honor. Woods was honored to receive this award on behalf of the College, he said, for its commitment and dedication to bringing music into the community. 

“Our partnership with the Norristown Area School District goes back a long time,” said Woods, “and it is my hope that we will continue to grow and strengthen our relationship moving forward.”

Dr. Barbara Weikert, Music and Choral Director, Eisenhower Science and Technology Leadership Academy and Norristown Area School District Music Liaison, said the district is indebted to Woods for promoting the arts among its students. 

“Brent Woods has demonstrated incredible commitment to ensuring opportunities for arts education and collaboration with Eisenhower Middle School and the entire Norristown Area School District,” said Weikert. “This relationship has spanned more than a decade and during this time he has shared numerous theatrical shows with our school community inspiring thousands of students.”

Weikert noted that many students have gone on to enroll at MCCC. 

“The Norristown Area School District, and especially Eisenhower Middle School remains grateful to Mr. Woods for his commitment to inspiring students and enhancing the community through culturally relevant arts education,” she said. “Our community is a better place because of Mr. Brent Woods!”

Woods has worked with the Norristown and the Pottstown school districts for years to help students get exposure to the arts through various programming hosted by the College. 

“It’s so necessary and needed,” he said. “It’s interesting. Prior to the pandemic, we were hosting programs with some of our adopted schools including Eisenhower Science and Technology Leadership Academy, Cole Manor Elementary School, and elementary schools in Pottstown. Back then, bussing was difficult. Now in addition to bussing, with the pandemic, some kids never had experience with live performances.” 

He mentioned a recent performance the College hosted through its Young Arts Explorers Family Series, featuring “Jazzy Ash & the Leaping Lizards,” where lead singer, Ashli St. Armant, asked students in the audience how many had ever been to a live show before. 
“Almost half the audience raised their? hands,” said Woods. “That shows you just how COVID really impacted children. These were second and third graders. So, they would have been in kindergarten and first grade during the start of the pandemic.”

Woods said it was vitally important to bring artistic programming to students, especially those who’ve had little or no experience with it before.

“Not just for education but also for building community and creating an atmosphere of togetherness. I believe, children miss that connection with each other and shows how vital that is for their well-being and growth,” he said. “It’s important to continue working with local school districts, like our partnerships with Norristown and Pottstown. Now we need to grow our partnerships and reach more communities and do the same.” 

Meanwhile, back at Blue Bell Campus, Woods is helping put the finishing touches on plans for the theater reopening. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Science Center Building and theater is scheduled for Sept. 14. For Woods, it’s a dream that’s taken a long time to become a reality.

“We’ve got two months to go and there’s still a lot to do,” he said. 
While discussions for renovating the theater began over 10 years ago, the first real discussions were had in 2017. By the fall of 2019, the theater was closed as part of a multi-phase renovation of the Science Center Building. The new, 563-seat theater includes a 63-seat balcony and 500 orchestra seats.

The opening celebration, Woods said, will include a tribute to Judith Willoughby and Helen Haynes, who founded the Lively Arts Series program over four decades ago. It will also celebrate faculty, staff and most importantly students, who will be able to use the facility to learn and prepare for careers in several different fields.

“The theater offers experiential learning,” said Woods. “Sound Recording and Music Technology students, for example, can go into the theater and work hands on in the engineering of some live performances. It’s a great opportunity for students. It will prepare them for the industry, no matter what level.”

Community members, similarly, will also benefit greatly from the theater. The theater is the centerpiece of the overall Montco Cultural Center that includes five cultural brands, and three venues: two art galleries (Blue Bell and Pottstown campuses), and a black box theater.

“This is a benefit to the community,” said Woods. “It’s a dynamic cultural hub that invites the community to enjoy music, dance, art and theater. It’s conveniently located in the heart of Montgomery County and is available for the community to use for town halls, lectures and performances.”

For more information about the Lively Arts Series performances in the new theater, visit the landing page or email Brent Woods.