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.
SHON
Voice, Dance and Acting Teacher - Fort Mill location
Shon Wilson is a professional film, TV, and theatre actor, a trained ballet dancer, and has a degree in Musical Theatre Performance from Washington, D.C.'s American University. Her favorite theatre roles so far have been Lady MacBeth with the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, Helena in Epic Arts Repertory Theatre’s Midsummer Night’s Musical, The Boy in Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s Velveteen Rabbit, and Vixen in The Eight Reindeer Monologues, which she performed at the EXTREMELY missed Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte.
Shon’s L.A. theatre credits include the female lead Kate in Sylvia by A.R. Gurney, Jr. and a lead role in the world premiere of #WhenLivesMatter by Monti Washington. She has received several awards and nominations for her over 100 stage performances. During her 13 years in Los Angeles, Shon got the opportunity to act in film and TV projects for several major networks and studios. She’s co-starred with Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm and was a frequent collaborator with Mercedes Bryce Morgan who tapped the Shon for a supporting role in AMC/Shudder's Spoonful of Sugar and a special appearance in the official music video Marshmello feat. Bastille: Happier, which received a 2019 MTV Video Music Awards nomination. Shon also starred opposite Suzanne Cryer and Rumer Willis in the film Six Letter Word, which screened at the Cannes Film Festival.
In 2023, Shon had the honor of two feature films premiering on the same night - one on each coast! Summer of Violence, in which she had a lead role opposite Black Lightning’s Damon Gupton, opened in Los Angeles at the DTLA Film Festival and took home the Best Picture Award. At the same exact time, It’s Not About You screened at the 168 Film Festival in Atlanta, giving Shon a Best Actress nomination for her performance as the star of the film.
During her 30 years of performance work, Shon was also developing a reputation as an empowering and compassionate teaching artist to students in both California and North Carolina. Her experience teaching acting, dance, and vocal music has brought her contracts with some of Charlotte’s most notable arts organizations including The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s enrichment programs, On Stage, program, and School of Theatre Training, The Ballantyne School of Music, the Afro-American Cultural Center (legacy), Community School of the Arts/Charlotte City Ballet School, and Sullivan School of Dance. She’s also directed full-length children’s shows for Fort Mill Community Playhouse and served as choreographer and musical director for several productions at The Ballantyne Arts Center. The vibe of Shon’s rehearsals and classes is fun-joy-work-joy-fun!
Shon is OVER THE MOON with excitement to join the teaching team at Lumi!
MARISSA
Musical Theatre, dance and choreography - South Charlotte Location
Marissa Witz was born and raised in Los Angeles CA where she received her primary dance training beginning at 3 years old. Growing up in Southern California gave her the opportunity to take master dance classes, pursue musical theater opportunities, and showcase her talents in a variety of commercial, film and television series. Marissa graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with an emphasis Psychology and Dance, while teaching dance and musical theater to students in the greater Santa Barbara area.
After moving to Charlotte in 2010, she continued to teach dance at local studios, while raising three boys with her wonderful husband Justin.
Beyond her performance work, Marissa is dedicated to teaching and mentoring women through fitness. She hosts regular barre classes and uses her extensive knowledge and passion for dance to encourage young women to move their bodies!
Marissa is thrilled to join Lumi and is most excited about the opportunity to pour into the young performers in the Charlotte community!