Terry LeCompte - Your Joyful Drama Lady

Happy New School Year! 🎉

Settle in. Find your rhythm. Get those new routines working.

Our Fall programs don’t begin until mid-September — and we’ll be here when you’re ready to add a little theatre, creativity, connection, and JOY to your year. 🎭❤️

Come meet us at our Fall Open House on Saturday, August 29 from 4–6 PM at Chelsea Art Center. There’ll be live performances, theatre activities, refreshments, a chance to meet the team, and plenty of time to explore our Fall programs.

And there’s still time to save!
Early Bird registration is available through September 6.

Here’s to a year of learning, creating & growing.

We’re here to make your year better. ❤️

And, of course… may the only drama this year be found on stages! 🎭

www.communitystages.org

Act Now! Take Part!

Today I had the loveliest first voice lesson with the sweetest 9-year-old.

After we warmed up our voices and explored a few new things, I asked what she wanted to sing. Without hesitation, she said:
“Do a Deer. Do you know that?”

Of course, we listened to Julie Andrews sing it together. Then my new little student sang it for me — with the tiniest hint of a British accent peeking through.

I asked, “Did you do that on purpose… or do you just sing the words that way because that’s how Julie Andrews says them?”

She thought for a moment and replied very seriously:
“Well actually… I’m a little bit German and Sioux.”

To which I naturally responded:
“Oh yes. That explains it.” 😉

And then we made plans for next week.

One more thing.
This little sweet pea’s name?
Liesel.

Sometimes the universe has a sense of humor. 🎶

The last time worked on Twelfth Night, the stage collapsed beneath our feet…

So of course she chose it again for her directorial debut at Eckerd College.

And she delivered—entertaining, engaging, and so much fun.

Always inspired by and proud of Grace. 💛

What an absolute honor to be featured by WCJB TV20 this weekend!

A meaningful moment for Community Stages Trunk & Trek Troupe as we wrapped Wildly (re)Told—and a glimpse of the storytelling they brought to life.

We’re so proud of this group and all they’ve built together… and we’re already looking ahead to what’s next. 💛

Ocala youth troupe invites people to watch ‘Wildly (re)Told: Stories for the Ages’ this weekend Young actors in Ocala are inviting their community to experience age-old stories from a fresh new perspective.

Well… imagine that.

Front page of the Ocala Gazette’s cultural section—
titled “People, Places and Things.”

If you’ve ever seen Trunk & Trek Troupe, you already know…
that’s exactly what our actors do.
(And if you haven’t—you can this weekend!)

They don’t just play characters—they become the world.

We’re so proud of this group and grateful to see their work captured in print—with gorgeous photos by Bruce Ackerman.

Take a look at a few highlights here, and read the full article below:
https://www.ocalagazette.com/well-imagine-that/

They became the world.

Talk and Baba Yaga and the Black Sunflower at the Literary & Poetry Festival.

So proud of our Trunk & Trek Troupe.

Thank you, City of Ocala!

📸 Full album: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BE6pvybi6/

🎭 Summer Drama Camps Registration is OPEN!

• JUNE: General Theatre Camps – Page to Stage to Screen
Grades entering 4–9

• JULY: Performance Camp – Moana Jr.
Full-day: Grades 4–12
Half-day: Grades 1–3

All campers must be available to perform at the Dassance Fine Arts Center on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

Join your favorite team of arts educators — Terry LeCompte, Greg Doss, Roberta Smith, Grace DeClerk, and Robert Skipper — for a summer of storytelling, music, movement, and theatre-making.

Registration is through our partners at Cornerstone School of Ocala.

✨ We’re excited to be part of this beautiful celebration of local art!

Heartstrings & Harmonies will be providing live acoustic music during the Spring Festival of Art Opening Reception at the Chelsea Art Center this Sunday.

As guests explore the gallery and the vibrant work of local artists, we’ll be adding a layer of music — expressive vocals, rich harmonies, and songs that celebrate creativity, connection, and the spirit of spring.

🎨 Spring Festival of Art – Opening Reception
📅 March 8 | 1–3 PM
📍 Chelsea Art Center, Ocala
🎤 Terry LeCompte, Roberta Smith, Greg Doss, and Megan Hilt

Come enjoy an afternoon of art, community, and live music. We'd love to see you there.