CULTURE CLUB
Growing the performing arts in Taylor
TAYLOR — For years, the city has enjoyed an established fine-arts scene, including numerous gallery openings, resident artists and working studio tours.
Now, interest in the performing arts in Taylor is also taking off.
From a nascent foundation dedicated to fostering a variety of live performances to an inaugural comedy showcase, local supporters are working to bring more live entertainment to downtown.
TAYLOR THEATER FOUNDATION
The newly formed Taylor Theater Foundation is helping produce and promote live productions locally through the efforts of residents, artists, educators and community supporters.
“The Taylor Theater Foundation aims to help bring more theater, music, educational programming and community-based performances to Taylor while building a lasting foundation for the arts in the city,” said Michael Kaspar, founder and president.
According to members, the foundation is still in the formative stage and will focus on the rich history of Taylor and eastern Williamson County.
The group aims to connect residents to the people, places and history that shaped the area.
“We’re not as advanced as the Palace in Georgetown, but we have to start somewhere,” said treasurer and founding member Peter L’Heureux The foundation’s objective is to serve the community through education and performance initiatives, sponsors said.
“Taylor is a city with strong traditions, growing energy and a deep sense of place. Yet when it comes to theater and live performance, there is still much to build,” Kaspar said.
The foundation wants to create more opportunities for performing arts groups in Taylor as the city grows.
With a goal to draw from the bustling arts scene in nearby Austin, foundation members would like to see a performing arts troupe set up in Taylor.
“Talent and enthusiasm are essential, but so are space, storage and a place to call home,” said Kaspar.
One such group is the Stage Presence Players, area actors who bring scenes from local history to life.
The foundation is working to address the troupe’s long-term needs that could make ongoing theater productions in Taylor possible.
To help the foundation, monetary contributions can be sent to: Taylor Theater Foundation, 219 E. Eighth St., Taylor, TX 76574.
New board members are also being sought. Reach out to L’Heureux at [email protected] or Kaspar at [email protected].
STAGE PRESENCE PLAYERS
Established in 2015 by the late Kristi Treitler, the Stage Presence Players are a group of actors from Austin, Pflugerville and Round Rock who combine their talents for historical-interpretation performances.
A nonprofit since 2019, the livetheater production company has acted as historical interpreters at the First Historic Farm Day at the Lutonsky-Kelley Farm in 2025. The site south of town on CR 405 dates from 1900 and was designated a Family Land Heritage Honoree Property in 2019.
This spring, the troupe reenacted six pivotal periods from Taylor’s 150year history. Attendees at the Taylor Conservation and Heritage Society’s Marcella Schoener Award reception enjoyed scenes from Taylor’s railroad beginnings and the life of Taylor native Gov. Dan Moody to the 1950s with poodle skirts and movie theater matinees.
“The Stage Presence Players wowed the crowd with a creative, unexpected performance that turned Taylor’s 150th anniversary into something truly special,” said society member Pam Wareham.
For two weekends in June, the Stage Presence Players performed “The Secondto- Last Chance Ladies League,” a comedy by Jones Hope Wooten, at the Listening Room at St. James’ Episcopal Church, 602 Davis St.
YOUTH THEATER IN TAYLOR
One of the Taylor Theater Foundation’s areas of focus is youth theater. Members want to introduce students to theater production and performances that are both fun and educational, they said.
In June, the foundation completed its first joint theater workshop with the Boys & Girls Club of East Williamson County. The two-week event gave middle-school students a chance to collaborate on the creative process.
During the program, sponsors said students gained confidence as they learned the basics of theater production from set and costume design to acting. Based in Murphy Park, the students utilized the indoor and outdoor spaces to create and practice.
Foundation members said cultural institutions are not built overnight. They require community interest, persistence and partnership to support sustainable works.
“While productions and performances remain important, the larger goal is to serve Taylor through cultural programming that is rooted in place, open to collaboration and accessible to the community,” Kaspar said.
COMEDYSHOWCASE ATBLACKSPARROW
Comedic talents from a wide variety of showbiz backgrounds are also heading to Taylor to help create some laughs and spice up the nightlife.
The Dare Buzzard Comedy Showcase will land at the Black Sparrow Music Parlor July 24 featuring Austin-based comedians with more tours promised as the year rolls out.
The Black Sparrow is at 113 W. Second St.
“The idea is to bring a carefully curated stand-up show to a true listeningroom environment; focused, intentional and built for people who want to experience comedy up close, without having to drive into Austin to find it,” said Brandt Rydell, the organizer of Dare Buzzard Comedy.
After an initial start in July, performances are planned to continue through the end of the year. Rydell hopes the showcase will become a recurring part of Taylor’s downtown arts and nightlife scene.
The first Dare Buzzard Comedy showcase boasts comedic talents who have performed on Comedy Central, SXSW, New York Comedy Festival, NBC Stand-Up, Caroline’s on Broadway in New York, New York Comedy Club, The Comedy Store in West Hollywood and Austin’s live comedy scene, including Comedy Mothership, Creek and the Cave, and Kill Tony, an Austin-based podcast.
The second Dare Buzzard Comedy showcase is scheduled for Aug. 14, and future acts will be every second Friday evening through December.
Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, available through blacksparrowmusicparlor.com.
When it comes to theater and live performance, there is still much to build.”
— MICHAEL KASPAR
TAYLOR THEATER FOUNDATION
Michael Lovestrong (center) teaches middle school students in the Theater Summer Camp, sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club of East Williamson County and the Taylor Theater Foundation. COURTESY OF MICHAEL KASPAR
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