Mara Lysova NewmanVentura, CAFounder of Cabrillo Music Theatre1924-2017Mara Lysova, 92, a former longtime resident of Ventura County, passed away on March 10, 2017 following a brief illness. She was currently residing in Ormond Beach, Florida.Mara was born on June 1, 1924 in Berlin, Germany. She and her parents, Kurt and Edith Lyser, fled Nazi Germany, arriving at Ellis Island in 1938.Mara met Max Newman in New York City where they were married in 1942. They had two sons, Leslie and Ronald Newman. Mara is survived by her son Ronald and daughter-in-law Judy Newman of Ormand Beach, Florida; daughter-in-law Louise Newman Roberts of Santa Rosa Valley; grandchildren, Troy Newman, Cristopher Newman, and Cori Newman Orlando; great grandchildren, Trevor and Leslie Orlando, Carson, Nicholas and Austin Newman. Mara was preceded in death by her beloved son Leslie Newman in 1998.Mara received extensive ballet and theatre training in Germany, France and New York. She also performed on both continents and with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo before a career ending injury to her foot. Mme. Lysova taught drama, theatre arts and ballet in New York City, Oxnard, CA and Ojai, CA until her retirement in 1995. In 1951 she opened Ballet Academie in Oxnard, CA. She also founded the following performing dance companies: Ballet Mime in 1954, Academie Ballet Theatre in 1960, and Channel Islands Ballet in 1980.Mme. Lysova founded the Cabrillo Music Theatre in 1966 along with her husband, and symphony conductor, Lawrence J. "Larry" Parker where she held the post of artistic director until 1987. She was the director, artistic director and choreographer for many operas and musicals in the county. Her ballet company was the resident dance company at the then new Oxnard Auditorium where she directed and choreographed many musicals and ballets, including the very popular Nutcracker performed every Christmas season for many years. Larry passed away in 1985. During her career Mme. Lysova received many awards from the Ventura County Theater Council including Best Choreographer 1968, 1969, and Best Director 1969. She received the Mayor's Award for Contribution to the Performing Arts and the Ventura County Supervisor's Award for Contribution to the Performing Arts in 1986. Mara is listed in the National Register of International Notables, 1970 and in Who's Who in California for Exceptional Achievement & Leadership, 1982. Many of her students went on to successful professional careers in dance and theatre.Private family arrangements took place in Florida. In her memory, donations may be made in Mme. Mara Lysova's name to a Ventura County performing arts company of your choice in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Ventura County's fine arts.She will be fondly remembered by many who were touched by her over the years.