An auction was held on the building of the National Academy of Performing Arts on Friday afternoon while 96-year-old Dorothy Barrett sat inside her office surrounded by friends in the school she has taught dancing and acting in since 1957.
Patch was asked to leave the public auction, which required all attendees to have a $25,000 cashier's check or be pre-approved as auction bidders. Eight attendees were qualified to purchase the building, which the trustees want at least $1 million for to buy.
"The bids will go to a judge, who will then open up the bidding again, and make a decision," said Larry L. Weiner, of Flans & Weiner Inc. that held the auction. "We may know in a week if there is a new owner of the building."
Meanwhile, longtime teacher at the Academy, Catherine Wilkinson said she is still hoping for a miracle.
"I bought my lottery ticket -- if I win it is a done deal-- I would do it no question," said the volunteer teacher.
She added, "They held the auction and the bidding went fairly quickly... now they will take that highest bid and it will go to court. At that time the judge is required to open the bidding again-- it is at this time that we hope we can overbid if we can get a philanthropic angel to help. IAnyway after the judge approves a bid, it would go into escrow for 90 days. If we can't overbid...we will have to find a new home."
Barrett co-taught at the school with Francis Lederer. They both lived upstairs in the building on Ventura Boulevard.
"It is unfortunate that Francis Lederer did not make sure that his school was taken care of," Wilkinson said. "It is so unfortunate that the Lederer estate did not come to Dorothy and offer to sell it to her first. But we can't fix that. We hope that somehow, we can save this historical site and this school...and let Dorothy live out the rest of her life doing what she loves living in her home in the community that she is so much a part of. All of us, teachers and faculty of the school donate our time and do it because we love it!"
Help by Clicking Here at YouCaring.com
For more information go to: http://studiocity.patch.com/search?keywords=Dorothy+Barrett
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
