Le Petit Theater
Mission:
A 501(c)3 performing arts organization, Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré is dedicated to presenting high quality theatrical performances to entertain, inform, and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of the greater New Orleans area. By offering a full season of contemporary and classic dramas, comedies, musicals and children’s productions, as well as master classes and special events, the theatre embraces the work of the city’s artists onstage and backstage, all the while nurturing and mentoring up-and-coming talent with an array of educational outreach programs.
History :
Originally organized in 1916 as the New Orleans Chapter of the Drama League of America and one year later as the Drawing Room Players, Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré, one of the oldest community theatres in the country, quickly became known as the place to see live theatre in the South. Since moving into its current home in 1922, the “Little Theatre” has entertained thousands of audience members in a wide array of dramas, comedies, and musicals. Hundreds of actors, designers, directors, and technicians, both locally and nationally, have shared their talents to make Le Petit a true shining star in the theatrical world.
The theatre underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in 2012-2013 as part of an agreement to sell a portion of its building to Dickie Brennan Restaurant Group, which renovated the space for Tableau, a contemporary Louisiana Creole restaurant. By partnering with an internationally renowned restaurant family, Le Petit Theatre provides a dinner and theatre experience like no other.
The arrangement also provided funding for substantial upgrades to the theatre space including brand new dressing rooms, offices, renovated education and rehearsal spaces, new bathrooms, new ticketing system and an endowment for creation of an educational outreach program to cultivate theatre among audiences in New Orleans.
