Our Story
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In 2017, a small group of local theater lovers came together with a dream to bring the arts to Lee County in a lasting and meaningful way. They imagined a place where neighbors could gather, stories could come alive on stage, and creativity could flourish in a rural community that deserved its own vibrant arts home.
That dream took twists and turns, with plenty of ups and downs—including a pandemic that put everything on pause. Yet, through determination and community spirit, the Lee County Arts Center was born and continued to grow.
The building itself was a gift, generously donated by its previous owners who believed deeply in supporting the arts in Lee County. Though the gift came five years earlier than expected—and right in the middle of the pandemic—the board and volunteers embraced the challenge. Like most things it took time, and in 2024, the city gave their approval for the doors to open.
All focus went first to the theater. Volunteers, many of whom were also actors in the first theater performance at the Center, Separate Beds, rolled up their sleeves to clean, paint, build out the stage, and breathe new life into the space. Their hard work paid off, and the curtain rose on the Arts Center’s very first production to a sold out audience.
Since then, the Lee County Arts Center has welcomed audiences and participants for play performances, comedy nights, art classes, youth improv, and so much more. While the building itself remains in a raw state—still awaiting the upgrades and renovations it truly needs—our heart is what we are building. Every performance, every class, every laugh and round of applause adds to a growing foundation.
The Lee County Arts Center is proof of what can happen when a community comes together to dream, to work, and to create. And the best is yet to come.
OUR TALENTED TEAM
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President
Karen Walpole
Karen Walpole fell in love with theater when she was 11 after her Grandmother took her to see Yul Brenner perform in 'The King and I'. Although she grew up traveling across the US, she never lost her love of theater and arts so when asked to help bring arts to Giddings, she jumped at the chance. Karen is proud to be a founding member of LCCA, she currently serves as Board President where she leads initiatives to support and promote the arts within the community. Her leadership focuses on enhancing the center's programs, expanding community engagement, collaborating with other area theater and arts groups, and fostering a vibrant cultural environment in Lee County.
Vice President
Haril Walpole
Haril is a retired Police Chief, having served in Giddings for over eight years. He earned a PhD in Theology from Louisiana Baptist University. He is an experienced actor, having performed locally at Playhouse Smithville, Bastrop Opera House, and recently played the lead role in the inaugural production at Lee County Center for the Arts. Haril also played the lead role in the music video "Stand" by The Shop Dawgz. In movies, he played Deputy Clark in the thriller Butcher's Bluff.
With his years of management and leadership experience, he is a valued member of the team. Haril loves retirement and spends a lot of time at the Center in the background. He is excited to bring the Arts to Giddings and surrounding communities.
Treasurer
Jackie Handrick
Jackie is a dedicated and passionate advocate for community development and support, with a
rich history of leadership and volunteerism. Formerly the Director at the Lee County Youth
Center, Jackie has a profound commitment to helping the community in numerous ways.
Currently thriving as a grant writer, Jackie has a remarkable track record of securing funding for
various community improvement projects since starting in 2018.
Jackie's love for learning is a driving force that fuels her continuous pursuit of knowledge
through classes, seminars, and avid reading. This passion for education is not just a personal
interest, but a professional goal, as she plans to return to school to complete a degree in Business
and Nonprofit Management and Fundraising.
Residing just outside of Giddings with her husband of 14 years and three of their children, Jackie
balances her professional and personal life with grace and dedication. Her enthusiasm for
community service and her skills in grant writing make her an invaluable asset to any project or
organization she supports.
Secretary
Frank Castro
Frank is a long-time Giddings resident and a former City of Giddings Council Member. He works as an insurance sales representative at The Nitsche Group in Giddings. You will usually find Frank supporting almost any BBQ cookoff event in the area. He also loves to golf and travel with his wife Rosalba. He is an avid supporter of Giddings and what LCCA represents. Frank joined the Lee County Center for the Arts board in 2023. His people skills and ability to make friends at first meeting has proven to be a valuable asset to the organization.
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Member at Large
Gayle Hargis
Gayle Hargis has been involved in administration and operations of community theaters off and on for more than two decades. She has served as President of Lee County Center for the Arts and ONSTAGE in Bedford and has overseen marketing, advertising, web design, email campaigns, graphic design, box office operations, play selection, procedure development, and volunteer management. She’s performed at numerous theaters and worked as director, stage manager, and light/sound operator as well. She also serves on the board of the Lee County Texas Veterans Association as secretary and is a member of the Giddings New Horizons Lions Club. Professionally, Gayle is an IT Business Analyst, concentrating on business process improvement and automation development, for Dallas-based Neighborhood Credit Union. She is a certified Power Platform professional and SharePoint Administrator.
Member at Large
Frank Reyes
Frank is excited to serve as a board member for the Lee County Center for the Arts. His love for theater began as a kid after seeing The Sound of Music and The Nutcracker, and it’s stuck with him ever since. While he appreciates many forms of art, his favorite piece is StaÅ„czyk during a Ball at the Court of Queen Bona in the Face of the Loss of Smolensk by Jan Matejko.
Frank moved to Giddings from Houston in 2022 and currently works as a claims representative at The Nitsche Group. In his free time, he enjoys staying in bed all day, eating junk food, and doing absolutely nothing. His favorite foods are pizza and fried plantains—just not at the same time. Frank has a fear of being struck by lightning.
Member at Large
AJ Fuex
AJ Fuex, while having worked as a Technical Writer for the Farm Credit Administration, and a graphic artist, retired formally and took up acting and directing. She is currently a Director at Bastrop Opera House, but has her own touring troupe, Hasty Retreat Players who have toured around Texas since 2010. She has guest directed around Central and South Texas, but had the recent honor of doing the first play at the Lee County Center For The Arts. She serves as a member of the Board of Governors, and is extremely excited about the Center and its future possibilities for the citizens of Lee County.
HOW TO FIND US
We are located at 115 W. Austin Street in Giddings, Texas, near the northwest corner of the intersection of Hwy 77 and Highway 290.
​Ample parking is available behind the building.
DIRECTIONS
From Austin: Take Hwy-290 east to Giddings and turn left and Hwy-77. The entrance to the parking is on your left.
From Houston: Take Hwy-290 west to Giddings and turn right and Hwy-77. The entrance to the parking lot is on your left.
From Waco: Take Hwy-77 south to Giddings. Travel past Houston Street and turn left into the parking lot.