Lyford Cay International School Opens New Performing Arts Centre
Nassau, The Bahamas – Lyford Cay International School (LCIS) marked a significant milestone on Wednesday, 29 October, with the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Lyford Cay Performing Arts Centre, held at the school’s Lower Campus.
The Lyford Cay Performing Arts Centre is the school’s new home for music, dance, theatre and Junkanoo, representing its commitment to creativity and culture. The school holds the pursuit of excellence in academics, the arts and athletics as one of the core pillars of its identity, and now, thanks to the vision and generosity of the school’s community, this new facility will become a place where students bring their stories to life and where the arts can truly inspire.
The ceremony was attended by Mrs Ann Marie Davis, Spouse of the Prime Minister and First Lady of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, who delivered remarks and assisted with the ribbon-cutting. In her address, Mrs Davis commended LCIS for its dedication to nurturing creativity and expression through education.
Mrs Davis stated, “Writers, actors, as well as creative thinkers, will all be encouraged and empowered through this performing arts centre. The performing arts are more than just extracurricular activities. They are the core of our culture and how we express ourselves here in The Bahamas. We express ourselves through music, through dance and performance as well. We share our history, our struggles, and our successes through the arts.”
First Lady Mrs Ann Marie Davis and representatives of the Lyford Cay International School cut the ribbon for the newly opened Lyford Cay Performing Arts Centre. [L-r: Mr Simon Townend, Co-Chair of the LCIS Board of Directors; Mr Audrius Barzdukas, LCIS Head of School; First Lady Mrs Ann Marie Davis; and Mrs Lauren Symonette, Co-Chair of the LCIS Board of Directors]
The Lyford Cay Performing Arts Centre features world-class music classrooms, dedicated rehearsal spaces, a cutting-edge recording studio, and a professional dance studio, all designed to promote innovation, collaboration and artistic excellence. This space is truly one of a kind and is already being enjoyed by all grade levels of the school, from the Early Learning Centre through to Grade 12.
Following the ceremony, attendees toured the new facility and met with teachers and students to learn how the space will be used to inspire future generations of artists and performers. Guests were treated to student performances showcasing the breadth of LCIS’s arts programming.
Head of School Mr Audrius Barzdukas described the event as a transformative moment for the school community: “This Performing Arts Centre is more than a building, it is a testament to what happens when a community believes in the power of imagination, collaboration, and expression. Here, our students will not only learn to perform, but to create, to lead, and to tell the stories that shape who we are. This space represents the heart of our identity: to pursue excellence in academics, the arts, and athletics, while celebrating our place in The Bahamas and our connection to the world.”
For students in attendance, the occasion was deeply meaningful. Addisen Spraggins (Grade 8), who performed during the ceremony, said, “Dance has been incredible for me. It helps me express myself so much, especially with the support that Ms Courtney provides us. I am looking forward to awesome performance opportunities like the upcoming New English Ballet Theatre production at Baha Mar.”
As LCIS is a non-profit school, new facilities such as the performing arts centre are made possible through the generous support of school families and the broader community. This addition underscores LCIS’s commitment to developing well-rounded, internationally minded learners who use creativity to make an impact both in The Bahamas and globally.
