Today we’d like to introduce you to Lea Capps.
Hi Lea, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in a theatrical family, I was immersed in dance, performance, and musical theater from an early age. Although my mother founded The Talent Machine Company, a theater company for kids ages 7 to 18, I was involved behind the scenes from the very beginning—helping with choreography, supporting productions, and spending countless hours in rehearsals.
I even earned the nickname “Lea Scissorhands” because I was often tasked with making difficult choreography decisions. My mother also called me her “Third Eye” because I watched rehearsals and performances from the audience’s perspective, offering feedback on what was working and what could be stronger.
Everything changed in 2001 when my mother unexpectedly passed away. Suddenly, many young performers and families were looking for answers about the future of a company that meant so much to our community. Taking over the organization was never part of my original plan, but I knew how important it was to continue what she had built.
For the past 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of leading The Talent Machine Company. I’m proud of the thousands of young people we’ve served, the generations of families we’ve impacted, and the legacy we’ve continued to grow. What began as honoring my mother’s vision has become one of the most meaningful journeys of my life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it certainly hasn’t been a smooth road! The greatest challenge came at the very beginning, when I stepped into leadership after my mother’s unexpected passing. I was grieving the loss of my mom while also taking responsibility for an organization that was deeply important to our family and community.
My mother was a professional director, choreographer, and performer, so those were big shoes to fill. While I had years of experience in theater, becoming both the artistic and organizational leader was a tremendous responsibility. I’m grateful for the mentors, volunteers, families, and friends who helped guide me through those early years.
More recently, one of our biggest challenges has been securing performance space. For nearly 30 years, we performed at St. John’s College in Annapolis, but when the theater closed around the start of the pandemic, we suddenly lost our longtime home. Finding and securing venues—and locking in dates early enough to plan productions and communicate with families—remains an ongoing challenge.
Like many arts organizations, visibility is another hurdle. Years ago, local newspapers helped spread the word about community events. Today, reaching audiences requires a strong digital and social media presence. We’re fortunate to have a great marketing team, but we’re always looking for new ways to connect with families and build awareness.
On a personal level, balancing the demands of running a theater company with family life and other responsibilities can be challenging. But despite the obstacles, I’m incredibly proud of our resilience. We’ve continued producing shows, serving young performers, and growing our impact—even through some very uncertain times.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
One of the things I love most about my work is that no two days are the same. Over the years, I’ve worn just about every hat imaginable—director, choreographer, producer, costume helper, set painter, backstage manager, and problem solver. Community theater teaches you to be a jack-of-all-trades, and even after 25 years, I’m still learning.
What truly sets The Talent Machine Company apart is our commitment to young people and the community we’ve built around them. We serve performers from ages 7 to 21 and create opportunities for children and families to be involved both onstage and behind the scenes. Everyone has a place in our theater family.
One program that is especially meaningful to me is The Penguin Project, which provides performance opportunities for children and young adults with disabilities. Watching these artists gain confidence, form friendships, and shine on stage—with the support of peer mentors—is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
I’m proud of the high standards we bring to every production and our belief that young performers are capable of extraordinary things when given the right support and encouragement. While we strive to create exceptional theater, our larger goal is to help young people develop confidence, responsibility, creativity, and leadership skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
The most rewarding part is watching the transformation that happens during the rehearsal process. Young people often arrive as strangers and leave as confident performers, teammates, and friends. The lessons they learn extend far beyond the stage.
I’m also proud of the lasting impact The Talent Machine has had on generations of families. Many alumni have gone on to careers in the arts, while others return to mentor the next generation. Today, we’re seeing second- and even third-generation Talent Machine families. Parents who once performed in our shows now watch their own children take the stage, and grandparents who cheered for their children are now cheering for their grandchildren.
That sense of continuity, community, and shared passion is what makes The Talent Machine so special. While I’m proud of the productions we create, I’m even more proud of the relationships we’ve built, the lives we’ve touched, and the theater family we’ve created together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.TalentMachine.com
- Instagram: thetalentmachineco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTalentMachineCompany/
