Beyond the Stage: OPAS Artistic Director Doug LaBrecque's Passion for Preserving History

A recently featured PBS story offers a glimpse into another side of OPAS Artistic Director Doug LaBrecque, whose love of the arts extends beyond music and theater to the preservation of American architecture.

Audiences across Lake Country know Doug LaBrecque as the Artistic Director of the Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS), where he helps bring world-class musical performances and artistic experiences to the community. But hundreds of miles from Lake Oconee, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, LaBrecque has spent years pursuing another passion: restoring a historic home designed by legendary American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

That remarkable journey is the subject of a recent episode of Kalamazoo Lively Arts, a PBS series presented by WGVU-TV.

The episode, titled Restoring History, takes viewers inside the Curtis and Lillian Meyer House and explores the years of dedication required to preserve one of Wright's distinctive architectural creations.

A Historic Home with a Story to Tell

Completed in 1951, the Curtis and Lillian Meyer House is an example of Wright's Usonian architecture, a design philosophy that emphasized harmony between buildings, their surroundings, and the people who lived within them.

The home features a distinctive curved design, expansive windows, natural materials, and carefully considered spaces that reflect Wright's architectural vision.

When LaBrecque purchased the property in 2003, however, the home was far from its original condition.

Years of alterations and neglect had taken their toll. Brown paint concealed the home's original exterior mahogany, wall-to-wall carpeting covered its signature Cherokee red floors, and problems with the heating system, roof, and structural integrity required extensive repairs.

What began as a personal interest in Wright's architecture became a long-term commitment to restoring the home's original character.

A Labor of Love, Patience, and Perseverance

Restoring a Frank Lloyd Wright home is no ordinary renovation.

LaBrecque worked alongside architects and craftspeople familiar with Wright's designs, carefully balancing the practical needs of a modern residence with the responsibility of preserving its architectural integrity.

The process involved restoring original design elements, rebuilding furnishings, repairing structural issues, and sourcing materials that honored Wright's intentions.

There were also unexpected setbacks.

In 2014, a ruptured hot water pipe caused extensive flooding, damaging much of the restoration work that had already been completed. Rather than abandon the project, LaBrecque and his team continued, using the opportunity to address additional structural and mechanical challenges.

The years of careful work eventually earned national recognition. In 2021, LaBrecque received a Wright Spirit Award from the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, recognizing his commitment to preserving the historic property.

The Connection Between Music and Architecture

While restoring a historic home and producing a musical performance may seem like entirely different pursuits, both require an appreciation for artistic vision, collaboration, and attention to detail.

Throughout his career, LaBrecque has performed on Broadway and concert stages around the world. As OPAS Artistic Director, he brings that experience and artistic perspective to the organization's performances and programming.

His work on the Meyer House reveals another expression of that same creative commitment.

In the PBS feature, LaBrecque reflects on how his experience as a singer, producer, and director prepared him for the challenges of restoration. Much like interpreting a musical score, preserving an architectural masterpiece requires understanding the original creator's intentions while bringing together skilled people to realize that vision.

Whether the art form is music, theater, or architecture, the underlying goal is similar: honoring creative expression and ensuring that it continues to inspire others.

An Invitation to See Another Side of Doug LaBrecque

For OPAS audiences, the PBS feature offers an opportunity to learn more about the person behind the organization's artistic programming.

It is a story of preservation, perseverance, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts in their many forms.

And while the Meyer House may be hundreds of miles from Lake Oconee, the passion behind its restoration is closely connected to the artistic vision LaBrecque brings to OPAS.

Watch the PBS feature: Restoring History on Kalamazoo Lively Arts

The episode premiered on October 15, 2026, and is also scheduled for a New Year's Eve broadcast on WGVU-TV.