After the storm: Friends help Insomniac Theatre Company founder repair his NE Ocala home

Members and supporters of a local theater company weren’t acting when they showed up on July 1 for a cleanup day at the home of the company’s founder. The home was damaged in the June 23 downburst storm that socked Marion County.

"They are good people and they needed help," said Tim Hilt, one of a group of about a dozen volunteers that included several former and active members of the Insomniac Theatre Company.

Chad Taylor, who founded the theater company in 2006, owns the house, which is in the 2400 block of Northeast Second Street in Ocala. He has lived at the location since 2018 with partner Lisa Anderson, publisher of Locala Magazine.

Good food: Korean eatery inside Ocala gas station makes Yelp's list of Top 100 Florida restaurants

SW Ocala: Ocala City Council approves Cala Hills buildout of 104 townhomes

Earlier storm: Clean Up After EF-1 Tornado In Marion County

“Everyone cleaning up today was a volunteer. We just let people know when we’d be cleaning up and they were there,” Taylor said.

The house was seriously damaged during the downburst. A large oak tree crashed from the backyard onto the roof, causing extensive damage. Taylor said the tree struck the house during heavy rains, thus allowing "rivers of water" to pour into the interior of the house.

A tree slammed into the roof of Chad Taylor and Lisa Anderson's home on June 23.
A tree slammed into the roof of Chad Taylor and Lisa Anderson's home on June 23.

Taylor, 42, was an infant when his family moved to Ocala from Fort Lauderdale. He is a Realtor, mortgage loan originator and title agent.

Insomniac was housed for a time in the Ocala National Bank building at East Silver Springs Boulevard and Northeast Magnolia Avenue, which according to the Historical Marker Database (HMdb.org) was built in 1911.

Taylor retired from Insomniac Theatre Company in 2019 but remains a consultant.

One of Taylor's neighbors, Jean Parrish, said her location got 5½ inches of rain on June 23 and 24, though the only damage to her property was some downed tree limbs.

Taylor said local companies were quick to respond after the storm damage. “Anderson Tree Care handled the tree and Next Dimension Construction and Roofing put up the tarps and will be doing the roof repairs,” Taylor said. He said he "had issues" with homeowner's insurance.

This was the scene on July 1 in front of Chad Taylor and Lisa Anderson's home. Friends are helping them clean up after damage incurred during the June 23 storm that hit Ocala.
This was the scene on July 1 in front of Chad Taylor and Lisa Anderson's home. Friends are helping them clean up after damage incurred during the June 23 storm that hit Ocala.

Becky Hudson, whose stage name is “Baby,” has started a Go Fund Me account to help cover expenses related to the storm damage.

"Chad and Lisa have helped so many in the arts community," Hudson said. She said. Taylor directed a play in which she played a part and he guided her in the role.

Lauren Debick, a friend of Anderson's, came out to help along with Lynn Radok, Jason Lugauskas and Matthew Wardell, music director at the Reilly Arts Center and conductor of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra.

Volunteers cleaned the interior of the house and put protective plastic covering in place. A large container was in the front yard holding discarded furniture and other items.

Left to right: Matthew Wardell, Chad Taylor and Jason Lugauskas put protective plastic covering in place at Taylor's home on July 1.
Left to right: Matthew Wardell, Chad Taylor and Jason Lugauskas put protective plastic covering in place at Taylor's home on July 1.

Sebastian Lombardo, former president of the Insomniac Theatre Company, also pitched in to help.

He said the theater company was housed for a time in the Reilly Arts Center and now is in a different venue.

"(Taylor and Anderson) have given so much to so many people in business and theater in our community. This is awesome to give back to them," Lombardo said.

You can help: 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/disaster-relief-for-chad-taylor-and-lisa-anderson?qid=47c865f55f092bbd07edf2c09affbb33

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Stage pals help Ocala, Florida theater leader fix damaged house