We recently connected with Catherine DeBlieux and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Catherine, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
My name is Catherine deBlieux. I am a mom, provider of theater classes for youth, Realtor, and actor. I love working with kids and marching to the beat of my own drum. Leadership may not be my forte but creating and engineering ideas comes natural. I am a director.
A graduate from the UH School of Theater, I worked almost 2 decades in the wine business. In 2018, I decided to spend more time with my family. My husband and I were kicking back one evening and I said “I need to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.” I missed theatre and the artistic connection. I wondered how difficult would it be to teach a small group of children and have them write a play based on their ideas. I was also concerned that perhaps I did not have the experience and how I would capture an audience of parents to entrust me with their young babes.
All of that doubt just got bulldozed to the side when I gave birth to Penelope Poppins – my muse. The English Theatre Teacher that outlined “classroom expectations” and entertained the 1st through 5th grade students to a creative outlet – at least in my mind. Penelope Poppins had ALL the answers and her tea parties would catapult me into a business plan which is how I captured my after school audience.
Next I said the company has to have a catchy name. The name should be experimental, encompass learning with steps in a process, sort of like an experiment, and that easily the name came to me – Theatre Lab Kids.
I had never written a business plan. In fact, I was not even sure what was needed to write the plan. I mean planning a day was easy from the wine business but planning a company. I researched what was needed and wrote my business plan within a day maybe even a half day.
With the name Theater Lab in mind I considered how my ADHD brain worked and as a child, what would a class look like to keep me engaged? I had to think of writing a plan with an approach to love, learning, evolution and a long term goal or production. I had to capture the audience of my reader for the after school opportunity.
All I needed was one group to have enough faith in my philosophy that theatre is the ultimate cross trainer of ALL the fine arts. Theatre inspires with writing, acting, art, costumes, technology, music, dance, lights, sound, and constructing, I mean ALL things art are incorporated into theatre! The plan had to prove I was a great option for theatre and therefore needed to reflect my passion for theatre, which honestly I had not done in 18 years. I finally got over the FEAR imposter syndrome. I started writing and followed the Nike slogan of JUST DO IT and hammered out my plan. I proofed it and proofed it. Called family to review. Called friends and nagged my cheerleader, my husband for days.
Then I presented the plan. Within a week I had an answer and I was thrilled it was YES. I am so thankful for After3. Thus, my company Theater Lab Kids! came to fruition and began gaining steam. Additionally, I knew I had to practice what I preached. I performed theatre between 2018- 2020 while teaching which allowed me to grow both onstage and in the classroom. I learned tactics from my prodigies and they learned life skills.
However, Covid put in person school on the back burner. During that time, I achieved my teacher certification and returned to TLK in 2022. When I returned to TLK I was stronger than ever because now I had the actual Texas TEKS in my back pocket with a better understanding of the big word pedagogy, understanding of learning. Lesson plans evolved with clear definitions of objectives. Our classes became more complex and focused on Socio Emotional Learning with games and activities. Overall the approach has just become more fine tuned and now I am looking forward to adding more teachers in the Fall of 2024. TLK originally launched in 4 schools. This fall we are excited to offer classes at 12 campuses!
Theater Lab Kids! employs teaching artists/actors with focus on theater. TLK is more than just producing plays inspired by children (1st-5th). Our lesson plans implement life skills with an SEL approach to understanding body language and inflection. Often our student’s first experience on stage, the goal is to have fun!
My dad always said “do what you love and the work will not seem like a job.” It truly gives me no greater joy than seeing the kids learn and grow over the course of a semester. Today, I am pleased to have worked with talented teaching artist and teachers that have inspired me and I like to think I have reciprocated in their endeavors. Children are the future and theatre arts offers a lens that they can see the world through with radiant ideas and endless possibilities. Sometimes we have to stop putting limits on ourselves with doubt and just go out and do it. Have faith in your abilities and follow your heart!
Catherine, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Theater Lab Kids was created out of the idea that theatre training creates a well rounded individual and person that can think on the spot, something I try to work on everyday. Because let’s face it, everyday is an improv. Theatre is an alliance of artists working together which is critical to humanity. The objective of TLK is for children to creatively collaborate with one another and develop an appreciation of the people’s living art.
My greatest love and inspiration in life are my children Magnus and Sofia. I am so proud of the people they are becoming. Magnus has generosity beyond compare. Sofia is driven to the stars.
I am a Realtor and Teacher that loves, inspiring, performing, and working with kids! I became active in theatre arts as a teen performing in school shows. Theater helped me through a difficult time in my life. It allowed me to express myself and become involved in activities that were positive. Every child should have this available to them.
I attended the University of Houston and graduated from the School of Theater. Then I spent 18 years in sales. After years in sales I returned to my passion. I began acting and teaching in 2018 with Theater Lab until the Pandemic which closed TLK for a brief period. During this time I received my teaching certification and worked in the classroom. Today I am happy to say Theater Lab Kids is back up and running and we offer the program to over 7 campuses in the Houston area. We are always looking to expand.
To date, as acting director of Theater Lab Kids Houston, we have written, and directed, and produced over 60 plays written by students. We look forward to producing our next seven in the spring of 2024.
In addition, to these short plays, I have also participated in outreach partnerships and the HLSR, directed and designed/assisted with various productions crafting props, sets, costume, and giving backstage support. However, working with children in productions is the most gratifying work I get to do.
A child can accomplish any dream or goal with inspiration and direction. Theatre arts offers the perfect opportunity for children to really explore ideas and dream. With theater training, the possibilities are endless!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Covid shut down in person school. I had to think quickly about how to help provide for my family. My husband is also a hair stylist that works on commissions and with salons closed too, everyone’s hair was turning gray and he was not making any money either. We needed to play catch up.
During that time, I achieved my teacher certification and taught middle school in Spring ISD.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
A good philosophy is to treat people the way you would want to be treated, have fun, talk to people on a daily basis, and build connections.
As a parent I love good communication from teachers that are with my children. Therefore, I believe in sharing not only challenges of students but also victories or achievements.
Every day, my goal is to achieve one of the following tasks/projects prefaced by the word “something” – difficult, fun, passion, education, and easy.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theaterlabkids
Image Credits
Natasha Nivan Productions