The Los Angeles Performing Arts Conservatory (LAPAC), was founded by CEO & Artistic Director, Natalia Lazarus, in 1996. It started out as a simple acting studio. In 2006, it went through its first transformation – under the name Promenade Conservatory, due to its bustling Third Street Promenade location. 

 

Having once been an international student herself, Natalia focused on the Conservatory becoming authorized by the Department of United States Immigration – Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS), to issue F-1 student visas to students from all over the world.

 

In 2014, was the next stepping stone. Natalia heralded the conservatory into becoming a degree granting institution approved by the California Department of Education – Bureau for Private Post Secondary Education (BPPE). LAPAC now offers two degrees: an Associate of Occupational Science in Acting and an Associate of Occupational Science in Screenwriting. In addition, LAPAC offers Certificates in Acting, Screenwriting, Filmmaking, Gap Year, and supports foreign language speakers with English thru Performing Arts tutorials.

 

In 2016, LAPAC started the journey of becoming nationally accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) – a task that takes five years. Since then, LAPAC has undergone three rigorous reviews and hopes that the next one in March 2021 is the charm.

 

The current pandemic has obviously put stress on LAPAC; however, yet again, it has managed to reinvent itself and got full authority in July, from the BPPE, to be able to offer online programs, opening up not only a new revenue stream but more possibilities for students across the United States and the world to be able to study at LAPAC.

 

LAPAC has been housed in a historical building since 1996, complete with a 60 seat theatre, The Promenade Playhouse, classrooms, and administration offices. At the beginning of 2020, LAPAC was informed that the building had been sold and that the new owners will tear it down – leaving LAPAC in need of a new campus by early 2022.

 

LAPAC embraces the news with the 2020 vision – that LAPAC’s true campus is on the horizon and that the best is yet to come. Natalia feels in her heart that the universe has granted her this kingdom to manage for a reason and as her publicist says: “A new campus for LAPAC will make it real.”