Student Blog: You Can't Stop the Beat: Theater Life in Thibodaux

I never understood how much I took performing for granted until the pandemic hit.

I missed goofing off backstage with my friends, stressing about being off book in time, and the feeling of stepping out on opening night.

Without a doubt, I understood the safety measures that needed to be taken to ensure I could have a place to perform when the time came. Thanks to Zoom, YouTube, and Social Media there were still opportunities to share our talents from the comfort and safety of our homes.

Three years into pandemic life and theater in Thibodaux, Louisiana is slowly getting back to what it once was.

Good Morning Thibodaux?

October 31st marks two years since my first pandemic audition. A new theater company named Rhodes&Rhodes was opening up and I was eager to get back on stage, especially since they were doing Hairspray!

Following all protocol, we sent in videos for singing auditions then had in-person dance and cold reads. It felt so great to have somewhat of a taste of normalcy.

Nine months later we finally opened on May 28th. It was the longest I have ever worked on a show, but our directors wanted to ensure we were safe. We kept up with guidelines, wore masks to every rehearsal, socially distanced, and even quarantined if needed.

The show was a huge success and really kicked off theater in Thibodaux. Since Hairspray, Rhodes&Rhodes has staged four outstanding shows and is currently working on The Wiz.

The Nicest Kids in Town

The Lafourche and Terrebonne Parish area is home to a variety of theaters. From the Thibodaux Playhouse, Le Petit Theatre De Terrebonne, Lorna and Company, and even A. Good Productions, actors of all ages can get out on stage and showcase their talents.

Following the success of Hairspray, Thibodaux Playhouse (TPI) announced its 61st season. TPI opened up with The Sunshine Boys in mid-August while also beginning to work on The Rocky Horror Show and A Streetcar Named Desire. However, Hurricane Ida had other plans and TPI had to adapt.

Only one show out of their six scheduled shows hit the stage and had massive success.

The Rocky Horror Show opened December 28th and ran through January 1st 2022. The show helped to re-open TPI following Ida and give the people of Thibodaux some interesting holiday fun.

TPI has staged three rewarding shows since with The Crucible just closing and The Addams Family begining production.

Thibodaux's Choice

As Louisiana lifted restrictions and began seeing a slowdown in cases, other companies like Lorna N CO, Le Petit, and A. Good Productions opened its doors again.

Lorna Gianelloni of Lorna N CO was the first to try her hand at shows during the pandemic. She staged Damn Yankees in September 2020 and A Night at the Tony's: A Broadway Review in December 2020. She's since put on two great shows and recently announced auditions for Oliver.

Le Petit Theater de Terrebonne, which translates to Houma's Little Theater, took the time to do construction during the pandemic. They were set to open last September with 110 Stories but due to COVID and Hurricane Ida, the show was postponed. Thankfully, the show must go on and it opened this September. As of now, La Petit is resting, but I'm sure their next show will be as equally successful as their others.

Lastly, A. Good Productions has been a staple for young aspiring actors in the Thibodaux area. A. Good returned to the stage last summer for the Nicholls State University Summer Camp with two notable shows: Moana Jr. and Aladdin Jr. Since then A. Good has staged around four shows for the kids, and will be back on stage soon.

You're Timeless to Me

Southern Louisiana really took a hit these past few years, but if anything we've proved that we're strong, resilient, and love theater.

Theater is the perfect escape from the outside world for not just the audience but for the actors as well. It allows us to be someone else for a while and jump into a world where anything is possible.

There is so much talent here, so many stories to tell, and so much hope for the future of theater down the bayou.