Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen LeBleu.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi there! I’m Colleen LeBleu—theatre lover, performer, teacher, costumer, mother, and passionate dream-chaser. That’s me in a nutshell!
I’ll never forget my grandpa asking me as a kid, “What do you want to be when you grow up? Close your eyes and envision it.” Even today, when I close my eyes, I see the same thing: the stage, the lights, the audience, and the music.
Theatre is both my happy place and my sanctuary—a space to escape the busy world and dive into pure creativity. I’m passionate about creating environments where people can dream, grow, share, and connect with others, whether they’re center stage or cheering from the audience.
MY WHY BEHIND THE STUDIO…
The Beginning: Where Dreams Take Root My journey with performing began at age 2 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, at Lady Leah LaFargue School of Dance. My ballet teacher didn’t just teach me positions and pirouettes—she sparked something magical within me: a deep love for the stage, performing, and eventually, teaching.
I’ll never forget watching the “big girls” dance and dreaming of playing Rudolf in our Christmas ballet. Years later, that childhood dream came true when I danced the role as a young adult! Another unforgettable highlight was performing as Petruska—moments like these reminded me why the arts hold such transformative power.
What Dance Taught Me About Life As a very active child, dance became my outlet—a place to channel energy and find focus. Through movement, I learned to release stress and anxiety naturally. But dance taught me so much more: discipline in listening, respect for others, and the beauty of teamwork.
Live performances taught me life’s most valuable lesson: expect the unexpected! No matter how prepared you are, something can always go sideways during a show. You learn to work together, help each other, and react in seconds. Life isn’t always as planned, and performing taught me to be ready for whatever comes my way.
The Musical Theatre Discovery Pointe shoes? Not my thing! But musicals? That was my calling. I grew up watching musicals, dreaming of singing AND dancing on stage. So I auditioned for Cabaret at our local community theatre—completely unprepared but full of hope. To my surprise, I was cast as a Kit Kat Girl!
That’s when the theatre bug bit me hard. The people, the shows, the rehearsals, the magic of bringing stories to life—I was hooked.
Oklahoma! – Lyric Stage, Dallas TX
Finding My Professional Voice My journey led me to Houston with Humphrey Performing Arts, then a year-long modern dance company traineeship, and finally to KD Conservatory in Dallas, where I earned my Associate Degree in Musical Theatre. Learning from professionals who had performed on and off Broadway was incredible.
While studying, I discovered my passion for teaching, choreographing and directing children’s productions like Seussicaland Cinderella. I performed professionally throughout the DFW metroplex in shows like A Chorus Line, Oklahoma!, CATS, Music Man, and West Side Story, eventually becoming an Actors’ Equity Association Candidate.
Behind the scenes, I worked as a costumer with Dallas Costume Shoppe, creating magic for professional theatre, ballet, and opera productions. Whether I was quick-changing actors during shows or managing studio operations, every experience deepened my understanding of what makes theatre truly special.
Why Lumi Exists Through every role—dancer, actor, costumer, teacher, director—I discovered that musical theatre wasn’t just my career path; it was my purpose. Each experience taught me that the arts don’t just entertain; they transform lives, build confidence, and create communities.
That’s why Lumi exists: to give students the same transformative experiences that shaped me, helping them discover their own light and step boldly into their potential, on stage and in life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a business has been both incredibly rewarding and unexpectedly challenging. I was surprised by how difficult it was for a new business to secure funding. After months of applying for loans, my husband and I made the decision to invest our personal savings and use home equity to bring this vision to life. It was a true leap of faith—but one we believed was deeply needed in our community.
Since then, one of our biggest challenges has been space. The cost of retail and performance spaces in our area is extremely high. Managing the expenses of a brick-and-mortar studio while also securing performance venues—without additional city funding or resources—can be very difficult for local arts organizations.
At the same time, we remain committed to keeping tuition as affordable as possible for our families, which adds another layer to the challenge. Despite these obstacles, we continue to push forward because we believe in the impact and importance of what we are building.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Lumi, we bring the magic of the performing arts to life! Our vibrant studio inspires children and young adults, ages 3 and up, to explore their creativity through dance, voice, acting, musical theatre, and full-scale theatrical productions.
Our mission is to provide a fun, supportive, and inspiring environment where every student can shine—whether center stage or behind the scenes. With top-quality training, a focus on creativity, and a strong sense of community, we’re passionate about nurturing confident performers and lifelong lovers of the arts.
What sets us apart is that we are a small, locally owned business—not a large nonprofit organization with access to grants, donations, or public funding. Every decision we make is rooted in sustainability, passion, and a commitment to our students and families.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I’ll never forget my grandpa asking me as a kid, “What do you want to be when you grow up? Close your eyes and envision it.” Even today, when I close my eyes, I see the same thing: the stage, the lights, the audience, and the music.
Theatre is both my happy place and my sanctuary—a space to escape the busy world and dive into pure creativity. I’m passionate about creating environments where people can dream, grow, share, and connect with others, whether they’re center stage or cheering from the audience.
Pricing:
- 64.00
- 89.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lumischoolofmusicaltheatre.com
- Instagram: @lumischoolofmusicaltheatre
- Facebook: Lumi School of Musical Theatre
- Youtube: Lumi School of Musical Theatre
