NURTURING THE ACT OF ART
MEET COLLEEN
Hi! My name is Colleen LeBleu, a theatre lover, performer, teacher, costumer, mother and someone who loves to follow her dreams and passions! This is me in a nut shell.
I remember my Grandpa asking me as a kid, “what do you want to do or be when you grow up? Close your eyes and vision.” Still, when I close my eyes: it's the stage, the lights, the audience, and the music. This is my happy place and my safe place to step away from this crazy world. I love to be in a place to create, dream, grow, share and love with others on and off stage.
MY WHY BEHIND THE STUDIO…
I started dancing at age 2 in Lake Charles, Louisiana with Lady Leah LaFargue School of Dance. My ballet teacher sparked a light within me, a love for the stage, performing and passion for teaching. Watching the “big girls” dancing and dreaming of being Rudolph in our Christmas ballet, then to dreams coming true and dancing the role of Rudolph as a young adult! Another highlight of the ballet days, was dancing the role of Petruska in Petruska.
As a child I was very active. Dance gave me a outlet and a place to focus that energy. Movement taught me how to release stress and anxiety. I learned disciples in listening, respect and teamwork. Preparing for live performances, you never know what may happen in a show. No matter how prepared, something unexpected can always happen. You have to work together, help each other and react within seconds. Life isn’t always as planned and we have to be prepared and ready for all life deals us.
Now, you wonder where does musical theatre happen? Well… Pointe shoes, not my thing! As a child I LOVED watching musicals and always dreamed of singing AND dancing. So, I auditioned for a production of Cabaret at our local community theatre. Very unaware and unprepared, but to my surprise I was cast as a Kit Kat Girl in the production. I was then bitten by the theatre bug! The people, the shows, rehearsals, acting, singing and dance.
To deepen my training I began taking workshops and performed with Humphrey Performing Arts in Houston, TX. I decided to venture back to the dance world and did a year long traineeship with a modern dance company.
That was when really discovered that musical theatre was my passion. Good bye dance world, musical theatre was where I belonged. Oklahoma! - Lyric Stage
I auditioned and was accepted to KD Conservatory in Dallas, TX and graduated with an Associate Degree in Musical Theatre. Learning from working professionals in the industry or performed on and off Broadway, and other regional theatres. While in school I was offered teaching opportunities at local children’s studios. Including choreographing and directing children’s productions including: Seussical the Musical and Cinderella. Before moving from Dallas, I was on staff and substitute faculty at KD Conservatory.
I also performed professionally around DFW metroplex theatre productions including; A Chorus Line, Oklahoma!, CATS, Music Man, West Side Story and more. I became an Actors Equity Association Candidate. I worked on and off stage, as a costumer with the Dallas Costume Shoppe. I costumed professional and local theatre, ballet and opera productions. I was hired as wardrobe assistant and quick changer for professional productions. I also worked behind the studio scenes as studio office manager.
OUR VISION
My vision is to provide children and youth with a place to grow, inspire and create theatre. I will use the skills that I have learned through school and working professionally on and off stage. I hope to cultivate the next generation of theatre performers or goers through acting, singing and dancing. Impacting our future for generations to come just as those who have impacted me.
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
KASIE
Acting, Voice, Musical Theatre and Productions
Kasie is overjoyed to be a founding staff member of the Lumi family. Originally from Philadelphia, She holds a BFA in Musical Theater from The American Musical and Dramatics Academy and Master of Education in Educational Theater from The City College of New York. She is a proud alum of Leadership Charlotte Class 43.
Kasie has been working in theatre education since 2014, finding her passion for inclusive arts communities first at the red House, Art Center in Syracuse, New York. Kasie has founded theater departments at Democracy Prep Charter, Middle school in New York City, and Charlotte lab school here in Charlotte. Since moving to Charlotte in 2020, Kasie has worked with Davidson Community Players, Theatre at the JCC, One Voice Chorus and Queen City Concerts.
Outside of theatre, Kasie loves cooking gluten free food, upcycling clothing and playing with her dog Hoagie.
AVA
Voice Teacher
Ava is so excited to be joining the Lumi team! She grew up doing theatre in Charlotte and recently moved back to the area from NYC. Ava has been studying voice for over 15 years and is trained in various vocal styles ranging from classical to pop/rock. She is thrilled to help this new generation of performers find their voice. Ava received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Coastal Carolina University.
Some of her favorite performing credits include Violet in Violet (Common Thread Theatre Collective), Annie Knowby in Evil Dead (Actors Theatre of Charlotte), Pattie in Beehive (CPCC) and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (Coastal Carolina).
MEGAN
Musical Theatre, dance and office administration
Megan James is thrilled to be joining the Lumi family. She began dancing at age 3 and spent the next 15 years studying and competing in tap, jazz, ballet, and hip hop. Not long into her dancing career, she took up an interest in musical theatre. Landing roles in Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, and Honk! The Musical with Playhouse on the Square (a professional theatre company in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee) are some highlights throughout her early years in the theatre world.
Moving into high school, she decided to focus on choreography and the production side of things. This didn’t stop her from starring as Ti Moune in Once on This Island and Penny in Hairspray in the midst of choreographing those shows. Although it has been a few years since she has been on the stage, she’s never stopped loving dance and theatre. It is an absolute dream come true to be able to share the joy that the arts have brought her with children from all over the Charlotte area.