Theatre--Auditions

IPAL ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS

THE LILIES OF THE FIELD

IPAL has announced open auditions for its second production of its 2012-13 season. The Lilies of the Field – a play by F. Andrew Leslie based upon the novel by William E. Barrett, will open on October 18, 2012 and run for 8 performances, closing on October 28^th. Auditions will be held at IPAL’s ESSANEE Theater at 6PM Sunday and Monday, August 19 and 20, 2012.

Some of IPAL’s patrons will remember the 1963 Movie of the same name that starred Sidney Poitier in his Academy Award winning role as Homer Smith. This was the first time a black man was awarded a competitive Oscar.

Mac Stearns, the Director of this production, points out that The Lilies of the Field poses a unique casting challenge in that a third of the characters in the play must be minorities, and the five women in the cast will need to be taught to do a german accent. There is only one traditional “white Anglo Saxon” in the cast.

As Director, Mac Stearns will be looking for the following characters:

            A Folksinger/guitarist – this can be one person or a combination of two musicians.

            Male lead. An Itinerate handy-man – A Black man. Age can be anywhere in the late 20’s through 40’s.

            Male support. Priest – A Latino man. Age can be the same range as Male lead.

Female Lead . Mother Superior – A White woman who will speak with a German accent. Mature – of  indeterminate age

Four Female Minor. Nuns – Four white women who do not have heavy line loads. Age is flexible – 20’s through 40’s.

Male Minor. Café Counterman – Latino or other ethnic minority man of any age.

Male Minor. Business man – White man. Middle age .

Auditions are open to anyone and No special preparation is required. Specific rehearsals have not been scheduled but there will be four rehearsals each week until the play opens.

Additional information can be obtained by calling IPAL at 364-6114 and leaving a message with phone number or by calling Mac Stearns at 365-8898 or by emailing ipal@cox.net

Theatre--Performance

IPAL’s latest production, the classic  Noel Coward comedy, Blithe Spirit is scheduled to run May 31-June 3, and June 7 -10. IPAL is dedicated to promoting live theatre in Iberia Parish, and we encourage everyone to become involved! Come be a part of the community, come see a play!  Blithe Spirit showtimes are 7:30 PM Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, and 3 PM Sunday matinee. All performances are held at the Essanee Theater, 126 Iberia Street in New Iberia. Get your tickets at Delaune’s Pharmacy, Paul’s Flowers and Accentrics, or by calling IPAL, 364-6114.

This lively story features Charles Condomine, a successful novelist, who wishes to learn about the occult for a novel he is writing. He arranges for an eccentric medium, Madame Arcati, to hold a séance at his house. At the séance, she inadvertently summons Charles's first wife, Elvira, who has been dead for seven years. Madame Arcati leaves after the séance, unaware that she has summoned Elvira. Only Charles can see or hear Elvira, and his second wife, Ruth, does not believe that Elvira exists until a floating vase is handed to her out of thin air. The ghostly Elvira makes continued, and increasingly desperate, efforts to disrupt Charles's current marriage. She finally sabotages his car in the hope of killing him so that he will join her in the spirit world, but it is Ruth rather than Charles who drives off and is killed.

Ruth's ghost immediately comes back for revenge on Elvira, and though Charles cannot at first see Ruth, he can see that Elvira is being chased and tormented, and his house is in uproar. He calls Madame Arcati back to exorcise both of the spirits, but instead of banishing them, she materialises Ruth. With both his dead wives now fully visible, and neither of them in the best of tempers, Charles, together with Madame Arcati, goes through séance after séance and spell after spell to try to exorcise them, and at last Madame Arcati succeeds. Charles is left seemingly in peace, but Madame Arcati, hinting that the ghosts may still be around unseen, warns him that he should go far away as soon as possible. Charles leaves at once, and the unseen ghosts throw things and destroy the room as soon as he has gone.

Theatre--Performance

Reminder: Tickets are available for IPAL’s presentation of Noel Coward’s comedy Blithe Spirit. The production will run Thursdays thru Sundays May 31-June 10. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at Delaune’s Pharmacy, Paul’s Flower Shop, and Accentrics on Main Street. Tickets will also be available before the performances at the front desk of the Essanee Theater.  Come “ease into summer” at this delightful classic play.

Theatre--Review (Musical Theatre) (CYT)

Summers are usually a restorative time for me as a teacher, but I never realized how transformative the summer of 2009 was. I directed for IPAL (Iberia Performing Arts League) my first summer youth musical, Disney’s Aladdin Jr. This foray opened my eyes to the myriad dramas often associated with teenagers, but it was still a wondrous experience overall. I have since directed Beauty and the Beast, Jr. and will direct Mulan Jr. this upcoming summer.

Therefore it was with some trepidation that I attended CYT Lafayette’s final performance of Aladdin Jr. Could I be objective with a play I had previously directed? Would it obscure the wonderful memories I had built during those two months of seemingly-endless rehearsals? Would I constantly compare the two: what if my production was better? What if theirs was? I am happy to report it was a pleasant mixture of both, for I definitely appreciated things I had done and now wish there were things I could incorporate from this fine production.

Let me preface this review by mentioning that I have reviewed CYT productions before, most notably The Sound of Music. I praised that show for its excellent music and numerous actors on stage being exposed to theatre, but I faulted the production’s lack of character development and underwhelming acting when it came to the non-singing portions of the play. I felt then, as I still feel now, that teenagers, no matter how close to eighteen they may be, should not be directing plays. They lack the experience and ability to pull off the four pre-requisites for a youth musical: acting, singing, dancing, and blocking. On its website, CYT is “dedicated to developing character in children through training in the arts and by producing wholesome family entertainment, all of which reflect Judeo-Christian values.” It also claims as one of its five values and objectives “Providing a quality product without compromising a wholesome environment.” Acting and blocking are crucial elements of a quality product, and as such their shows should attempt to tackle all four items listed above. This production did a nice job of singing and dancing, but could still benefit from a more seasoned director’s eye for acting and blocking. Just one example will suffice: at the end of a musical number, Aladdin and Jasmine jump from a ledge, and then promptly begin the next scene… in the exact same spot from where they had jumped. That blocking not only defied logic, it flouted physics and laws of gravity.

I noticed in Aladdin Jr. a new problem not associated with CYT productions: a disregard for the lines being given. In Act I, Scheherezade, the narrator nicely played by Andrew Palmintier, mentioned that two cloaked figures in the Arabian heat were certainly suspicious. That would make sense, if only Andrew were not standing alone on stage, for the characters of Jasmine and Aladdin, to whom he was referring, were nowhere to be seen. Scheherazade exits, and only then did the pair grace the stage, but he was NOT in a cloak, making a mockery of the lines about two cloaked figures. Later in the same act, Scheherazade describes how the evil Jafar is plotting with Iago in his chamber room, except the audience is inexplicably not watching the chamber room, but twelve female performers dancing across an empty stage. It matters not how nicely they danced—and they did, by the way—it made no sense to add dancing there. It did not promote the plot, and director Kallie Broussard had other opportunities where she used those dancers to great effect.

This is one of the few times I’ve witnessed Aladdin, Jr. where the Genie did not steal the show. Decked from head to toe in a blue body suit, Rex Jones did a fine job as the Genie, but the show-stealer was a 4th grader from Woodvale Elementary. Issac Dowden as the Sultan had more spunk in him than most of the cast combined, and he seemed a natural on stage. Though he has an amazingly rich voice, Andre LaFleur was given little to do as Jafar, usually a wickedly delightful role, except to say lines drolly in an almost bored tone. In the hands of a gifted director, I’m certain LaFleur would be a phenomenal actor. Christine Soileau and Dean Yarborough were both pleasant as Jasmine and Aladdin respectively, but again character development was lacking and they wandered a bit aimlessly.

The play did exceed my expectations with its stagecraft. CYT has always excelled with its drop scenery, and this time was no exception. I marveled when Jones glided through the air as a flying genie and when Yarborough and Soileau flew the magic carpet. It did not matter that the black wires were visible—they were just as visible when Mary Poppins flew around the stage in New York City—but they added an element of magic that was unavailable to me when I directed. The play’s best moment came during the rousing song “Prince Ali” where Kallie Broussard herded the entire cast—ninety actors!—on the stage in a good display of organization. It was a fine example of CYT meeting its mission mentioned earlier.

I wish I could give my hearty recommendation to attend this production, especially for students of all ages, but I caught the last performance. It’s a sign of the strength of theatre in this area that there were so many productions from which to pick in the same weekend. At Theatre 810, Bria Hobgood directed A Woman’s Journey, two plays by Kim Nagle that are playing again next weekend, and Burke Hall is putting on a production of Rent that is also running next weekend. Aladdin Jr. was a good production; hopefully CYT will continue to excel and grow, making it capable of even greater ones.
---Vincent P. Barras

Theatre--Performance

Tickets are now available for IPAL’s latest production, the classic  Noel Coward comedy,  Blithe Spirit. The production is scheduled to run May 31-June 3, and June 7 -10.This lively story features Charles Condomine, a successful novelist, who arranges for an eccentric medium, Madame Arcati, to hold a séance at his house. Needless to say, an evening of delightful theater ensues! Blithe Spirit showtimes are 7:30 PM Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, and 3 PM Sunday matinee. All performances are held at the Essanee Theater, 126 Iberia Street in New Iberia. Get your tickets at Delaune’s Pharmacy, Paul’s Flowers and Accentrics, or by calling IPAL, 364-6114.

 

IPAL is dedicated to promoting live theatre in Iberia Parish, and we encourage everyone to become involved! Come be a part of the community, come see a play!  Blithe Spirit and IPAL are supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a Federal Agency.

Theatre--Performance (Season)

The Iberia Performing Arts League is proud to announce its 2012-2013 season. Located in the
classic Essanee Theater in downtown New Iberia, IPAL provides live theatrical entertainment to its
audiences. It also provides an artistic outlet for actors, singers, musicians, set artists, technicians and
many others. The upcoming season will feature a summer youth musical, as well as a five play
regular season. In addition, in advance of the season, IPAL will hold its 2012-2013 Membership
Drive and Season Ticket sale.

First up on the stage (July 12-22) will be the IPAL’s Summer Youth Theater Production
of Disney’s Mulan. Young people (ages 10-21) are already cast and due to the success of previous
Summer Youth Productions, 8 performances will be held rather than the previous 6. Director is
Vincent P. Barras.

Opening the 2012-2013 Season will be Remember When Again. A sequel to 2010’s wildly
successful Remember When this will be an original "Broadway style" show employing the Folk,
Motown, Rock, Hippie and other music of the 1960's era. IPAL’s live band “The Berry Classics” will
return and along with the singing and dancing cast will perform 23 songs! The original script, by Jim
Wyche, involves plans to tear down a "1950's style" soda shop to put up a parking lot. The show will
run August 16-26, 2012, and is directed by Donald “Doc” Voorhies.

Lilies of the Field (Oct. 18-28) is an adaptation by Andrew Leslie of the 1963 Academy
Award winning movie for which Sidney Poitier received the Academy Award. Directed by
Howard “Mac” Stears, the play is based on a semi-biographical novel by William Edmund Barrett.

A Christmas Story (Dec. 6-16) ,another stage adaptation, is based on the ever popular
movie of the same name. By Philip Grecian this show will bring an adult and youth cast together in
what will sure be wonderful holiday experience. Director is Ellen Rogers.

IPAL’s Spring Musical will be Man of La Mancha. with script by Dale Wasserman, music
by Mitch Leigh, and lyrics by Joe Darion, this Tony Award winning musical, a dramatic and uplifting
production, is based on the Spanish novel Don Quixote by Cervantes and is sure to be another
IPAL sellout. It urges us, even now, to "Dream the Impossible Dream." The show will run March 7-
24, 2013, and will be directed by Donald “Doc” Voorhies

Closing out the season, May 30-June 9, will be See How they Run by Philip King. A
classic British farce set during World War II with multiple cases of mistaken identities and raucous
chases through an English Vicar's house, it is sure to provide lots of laughs. Director is Vincent P.
Barras.

Further information may be obtained by contacting IPAL at 364-6114 or via email using
ipal@cox.net.

IPAL is supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of
Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the
Louisiana State Arts Council. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment of the
Arts, a Federal Agency.

Theatre--Showcase

This year, for the first time, IPAL will hold a Youth Talent Showcase!  Several young people came to the IPAL Board and requested such an activity ... and they readily agreed. Young people involvement in the Arts is certainly something we encourage. This first year is a "test drive" and we hope to expand in future years!

 

The very first Showcase will be held Sunday, April 29, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Essanee Theater. Included will be vocalists Elizabeth Shensky, Taylor Delcambre, Addison Migues, Lauren Duhon, and Kassidy Rae Monroe along with stand-up comedian Jordan Blankenship. Included will be Broadway songs, popular songs and lots in between! Kassidy will sing material from her just-released CD which was highlighted in the Daily Iberia this week.

 

Admission is $2.00 and all proceeds will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of New Iberia.

Auditions--Theatre (MusicalTheatre)

Auditions for Remember When Again are scheduled April 22 and 23,  2012 for ages 15 and up! NOW is your chance to “get on stage” in a fun production! No special preparation is needed for the audition, but the audition materials can be picked up in advance if you want or from Doc.

Audition Songs will be sung Karaoka style. NOTE – you will not necessarily need to sing the whole song.   You can see “videos” of the songs on You Tube if you are unfamiliar. Here’s what you will do
FEMALE Singing Role– “Stop In the Name of Love” (Diana Ross& Supremes version) or “Downtown” (Petula Clark version)
MALE  Singing Role – “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” (B.J. Thomas Version); “For What’s It’s Worth”(Buffalo Springfield version)
If you just want to be in “CHORUS” – “Do You Wanna Dance”(Beach Boy version)
AUDITION MATERIALS May be obtained Wednesday, April 18 between 5 and 7 p.m. or by contacting the director, Donald Voorhies, at 364-1975 or by emailing him using ipal@cox.net .

Audition Procedures:
  After filling in the paperwork, you will have your photo taken, you will do a quick “dance audition” which will be jitterbugging or twisting, then you will have a “singing and acting” audition. This will be privately done on-stage to a small group. You will have the option of auditioning alone or with a partner of your choice. The vocal audition will be done with “karaoke” recordings and the acting audition will be using a brief cutting from the script. The Audition will be SUNDAY, April 22 between 2 and 5 p.m. and Monday, April 23 between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. The actual show runs Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Matinee) August 16-26. Twenty three songs are in the show.
 If you are unable to make these dates, please contact the director asap.

About “Remember Then Again – A Sixties-Era Musical”
Synopsis:  The show is a sequel to IPAL’s 50’s show, Remember When. The plot revolves around the Mayor of New Berry’s plan to tear down “Ye Olde Malt Shoppe” to put up a parking lot.
Time and Place:  Set  in the 70’s but about the 60’s.
SET: Original Ye Olde Malt Shoppe, a “Jail” set, a “Protest Scene Set” and a “new” Malt Shop called “Sugar Shack Too”
MUSIC: The “Berry Classics” will be back! AWESOME! They are awesome! We’re looking for a 2nd pianist and a saxophone player.
CHOREOGRAPHY: There are quite a few numbers involving “dance” in the show. Be prepared to have fun!
CHORUS: We will need a large song, dance and/or acting chorus and those aged 15 and up are invited to audition.
Want Lines?  You will have the role of customers in the shop who are the friends, children, and grandchildren of the principals and have various lines.  You  are also the backbone of the big song and dance numbers.
Don’t Want Lines? There is still a lot to do.  You will be  non-speaking customers in the shop who are the friends, children, and grandchildren of the principals. You, too, are the backbone of the big song and dance numbers.
MAJOR CHARACTERS
Gary – Male  - Over 50 (or made up so).  Gary is the store owner who is upset because they want to tear down his business… and gets in trouble!
Molly– Female – Over 50 (or made up so) Gary’s wife who tries to help him through the stressful events of the show.
Connie – Female – A younger girl who is “Vee’s” younger sister and has taken over his job at the Malt Shoppe when he went off to college.  Lots of lines for her.
Dave(P)  – Male ---  Over 50 (or made up so).  Content in his married life. He and wife, Samanthan,  have a lot of banter.
Samantha(P)  (aka Sam) – Female -  Over 50 (or made up so)  Content in Married life. Dave’s wife.
George – - Over 40 (or made up so) The lovable gadfly from “Ville Platte” given to smart aleck remarks and comments. He even tries a “pick up” line again.
Jan – Female   -- Over 40 (or made up so) George’s wife and another regular in the Malt Shoppe.
The Mayor –  A new “character” added to the cast.  Over 40 (or made up so). Needs to sing, act, and dance.
Navy Officers – More new Characters. The Navy Base was open in the 60’s … and they came to the Malt Shoppe!
Bob Dylan Imitator – “Times They Are a Changin’”
Petula Clark  Imitator – “Downtown”;Beatles Imitators –  “ Twist and Shout” (modeled after the Beatles performance at Shea Stadium. The 4th one on You Tube.); maybe Joni Collins imitator “Big Yellow Taxi”;
OTHER singers -  We are hoping to enlist “on stage actors/actresses to sing are “Stop In the Name of Love”, “Twist and Shout” “For What It’s Worth”,  “Think”, “Sounds of Silence”,  “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” and “Sugar Shack” and a number of other songs  in the show!!
On Stage Guitarist – We are looking for a guitarist if possible to be on-stage for “Love Me Tender” and “Greenback Dollar” and “Sounds of Silence
Saxaphonist needed also!
Also: Policeman,, Hippies, Mayor’s assistants,  gals and guys in the Malt Shoppe, etc.

Theatre--Performance

 The Iberia Performing Arts League is proud to announce its 2012-2013 season. Located in the classic Essanee Theater in downtown New Iberia, IPAL provides live theatrical entertainment to its audiences. It also provides an artistic outlet for actors, singers, musicians, set artists, technicians and many others. The upcoming season will feature a summer youth musical, as well as a five play regular season. In addition, in advance of the season IPAL will hold its annual 2012-2013 Membership Drive and Season Ticket sale.

            First up on the stage (July 12-22) will be the IPAL’s Summer Youth Theater Production of Disney’s Mulan.  Young people (ages 10-21) are invited into the large cast, and due to the success of  previous Summer Youth Productions 8 performances will be held rather than the previous 6.

        Opening the 2012-2013 Season will be Remember When Again. A sequel to 2010’s wildly successful Remember When this will be an original "Broadway style" show employing the Folk, Motown, Rock, Hippie and other music of the 1960's era. IPAL’s live band “The Berry Classics” will return and along with the singing and dancing cast will perform 22 songs! The original script, by Jim Wyche, involves plans to tear down a "1950's style" soda shop to put up a parking lot. The show will run August 16-26, 2012

            Lilies of the Field (Oct. 18-28) is an adaptation by Andrew Leslie of the 1963  Academy Award winning movie for which Sidney Poitier received the Academy Award. It is based on a semi-biographical novel by William Edmund Barrett.  A Christmas Story (Dec. 6-16) ,another stage adaptation, is based on the ever popular movie of the same name. By Philip Grecian this show will bring an adult and youth cast together in what will sure be wonderful holiday experience.

            IPAL’s Spring Musical will be Man of La Mancha. With script by Dale Wasserman, music by Mitch Leigh, and lyrics by Joe Darion, this Tony Award winning musical, a dramatic and uplifting production, is based on the Spanish novel Don Quixote by Cervantes and is sure to be another IPAL sellout. It urges us, even now, to "Dream the Impossible Dream." The show will run March 7-24, 2013.

            Closing out the season, May  30-June 9, will be See How they Run by Philip King. A classic British farce set during World War II with multiple cases of  mistaken identities and raucous chases through an English Vicar's house, it is sure to provide lots of laughs.

            Further information may be obtained by contacting IPAL at 364-6114 or via email using ipal@cox.net

Theatre--Auditions (Musical Theatre)

Auditions for Disney’s Mulan Jr. will be Saturday, April 14^th and Sunday April 15^th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Essanee Theatre located at 126 Iberia Street in New Iberia. Young male and female actors, dancers, and singers ages 10 to 21 are welcome to audition. No prior experience is needed, but all auditioners will be asked to sing so we can determine your vocal range. You may also be asked to do a cold reading from the script. Since there may potentially be a large number of tryouts, we are asking singers to limit themselves to one minute of singing. Any song from any Disney musical is certainly appropriate. Any people who are unable to attend these two sessions may contact Vincent P. Barras at vpbarras@aisp.net or 337-519-0865.

The list of characters in Mulan Jr. include the following

• Laozi, Lin, Zhang, Hong, & Yun (5 ancestors who are acting like narrators; male or female, but most likely female)
• Fa Zhou (Mulan’s father; male)
• Fa Li (Mulan’s mother; female)
• Grandmother Fa (Mulan’s grandmother; female)
• A parade of Mothers (female)
• A parade of Young Girls (female)
• A parade of Fathers (male)
• Mulan (female)
• Mushu, dragon (male or female)
• Hairdressers and Groomers (male or female)
• Matchmaker (female)
• Chi Fu, city official (male or female)
• Young Xiao and Young Yi, Chinese men (male)
• General Shan-Yu, Hun leader (male)
• Magyar and Subar-Tu, Hun soldier sidekicks to General Shan-Yu (male)
• Chen and Liu, Chinese soldiers (male)
• Captain Shang, Chinese soldier (male)
• Yao, Qian-Po, Ling, Chinese soldier sidekicks to Captain Shang (male)
• Emperor of China (male)
• Cheongsams Salesperson (male or female)

People auditioning for Mulan Jr. need to know that this play has no solos. All the songs (“Written in Stone,” “Bride Practice,” “Honor to Us All,” “Reflection,” “Keep ‘em Guessin’,” “I’ll Make a Man,” and “A Girl Worth Fighting For,”) are a showcase for many people. Some songs involve the entire chorus, others like “Reflection” are an all-female song with Mulan, her mother, her grandmother, and the ancestors. People auditioning can sing any Disney song they wish but will need to restrict themselves to about 1 minute because there will be numerous people auditioning. People will be notified by email of their assigned roles not long after the audition process is over.

There may be a few scattered rehearsals in the month of May for the principal lead characters in the play, but they will most likely last 1 hour and will occur between 5 and 6:30, depending on the availability of the theater, which will be in rehearsals for Blithe Spirit. Full rehearsals will begin Monday May 28^th or Tuesday May 29^th at the Essanee Theatre located at 126 Iberia Street. Rehearsals are normally from 1:00 pm to4:00 pm Mondays through Fridays, with an occasional Saturday afternoon rehearsal, depending on how well the rehearsals are going. (There will be no rehearsal on July 4^th, a Wednesday this year. If you must schedule a 4^th of July vacation, I am politely requesting that you schedule it for the weekend before the 4^th instead of after the 4^th. The weekend after the 4^th is too close to opening and puts the overall rehearsal schedule in jeopardy.) There will be full costume and technical rehearsals on Sunday July 8^th (time to be announced) and Monday July 9^th and Tuesday July 10^th at 6:00 pm until we finish. A Family and Friends performance will occur on Wednesday, July 11^th at 7:30 pm. Opening night will be Thursday, July 12^th and the closing performance will be Sunday, July 22^nd. Evening performances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday will be 7:30 pm and Sunday matinees will be at 3:00 pm.

Theatre--Article (IPAL)

The Daily Iberian had a great article on the local musicians who played in the orchestra for "CHICAGO," They played with the professionals, contributed their services, and did a great job! 

Theatre--Auditions (Youth Musical Theatre)

Auditions for IPAL’s summer youth musical Disney’s Mulan Jr. will be held Saturday, April
14th and Sunday, April 15th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m at the Essanee Theater, 126 Iberia St. in New
Iberia. The show will have a large cast, and parts are available for singers, dancers, and actors
between the ages of 10 and 21. No special advance preparation is required, but singers should be
prepared to sing approximately one minute’s worth of any song, not necessarily from a Disney
musical. They may also be asked to perform a cold reading of some sections of the play. Any
questions regarding the play should contact the director Vincent P. Barras at 337-51-0865 or send an
email to ipal@cox.net. Performance dates for the production will be Thursday July 12th through
Sunday July 22nd.

IPAL has a rich tradition of giving the youth of New Iberia the chance to shine on the stage.
Last summer IPAL enjoyed tremendous success with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr. which sold
out and added an additional performance. Previous summer productions have included The Wizard of
Oz and Disney’s Aladdin Jr.

Theatre--Auditions

Auditions for IPAL’s Blithe Spirit will be held Monday, March 26, from 6:30 – 8 p.m, and Tuesday, March 27, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Essanee Theater, 126 Iberia St. in New Iberia. This classic comedy by Noel Coward will have a cast of 2 men and 5 women, ages 20 – 60-plus. No special advance preparation is required; cold readings from the play will be performed at the auditions. Run dates for this show are scheduled for May 31–June 3 and June 7-10.


For more information call the theater at 364-6114 and leave your name and phone number, or email us at ipal@cox.net


IPAL welcomes all those wishing to share their talents, being it painting artist, choreographer, make-up artist or hair stylist, acting, craftiness, directing, advertisment promo, etc. 

Theatre--Auditions

Auditions for IPAL’s Blithe Spirit will be held Monday, March 26, from 6:30 – 8 p.m, and Tuesday, March 27, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Essanee Theater, 126 Iberia St. in New Iberia. This classic comedy by Noel Coward will have a cast of 2 men and 5 women, ages 20 – 60-plus. No special advance preparation is required, cold readings from the play will be performed at the auditions. Run dates for this show are scheduled for May 31–June 3 and June 7-10. 


For more information, call the theater at 364-6114 and leave your name and phone number, or email us at ipal@cox.net 


IPAL welcomes all those wishing to share their talents, painting artist, choreographer, make-up artist or hair stylist, acting, craftiness, directing, advertisment promo, etc.

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

Due to a very strong ticket demand, an extra performance has been added to Chicago-The Musical presented by the Iberia Performing Arts League. The extra performance will be a matinee on Saturday, March 24 at 2:00 p.m. and tickets are currently available. A limited number of tickets remain for some other performances of the show which runs Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday March 15 thru March 25. Tickets are only available directly from IPAL at 364-6114 or e-mailing ipal@cox.net . Patrons are also welcome to come to the theater one hour before performances to join a waiting list. All performances are at the Essanee Theater, 126 Iberia Street in downtown New Iberia. The production is rated PG-13 for sexual content and dialogue, violence andthematic elements.

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

Due to high ticket sales, another matinee performance of IPAL's Chicago has been added on March 24 at 2:00 P.M. Call 364-6114, leave your name and number of tickets requested for that performance. Although IPAL has no "advance" tickets available for any other performances, all those interested are encouraged to come by the theatre one hour before showtime and put their name on a wait list. IPAL works very hard to accommodate all patrons, and will do everything possible to get everyone into the show.. 

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

From the IPAL Board:

IPAL's Production of Chicago looks like it's going to be a "knock out" draw. Tickets sold as fast as they went out on sale. Therefore, IPAL has no availability of advance tickets left at this time. Those still wishing to see this spectacular show are welcome to come by the theatre ONE hour before showtimes to join a waiting list. Sorry, due to great demand, no names for waiting list will be taken by phone. We thank all of our supporters and will do our best to accommodate all those seeking tickets. Again, thank you to all of our supporters!!!!

Our "IPAL MEMBERS" and those of you on our e-mail list have helped make IPAL's Chicago the success it is. THANKS. We'll be beginning our 2012-2013 Season Ticket and the Membership Drive in June. We have a great slate of plays and musicals for next season, and hope you will join us then.

Theatre--Auditions

Auditions for IPAL’s Blithe Spirit will be held Monday, March 26, from 6:30 – 8 p.m, and Tuesday, March 27, from 6:30 - 8  p.m. at the Essanee Theater, 126 Iberia St. in New Iberia. This classic comedy by Noel Coward will have a cast of 2 men and 5 women, ages 20 – 60-plus. No special advance preparation is required; cold readings from the play will be performed at the auditions. Run dates for this show are scheduled for May 31–June 3 and June 7-10.


 For more information call the theater at 364-6114 and leave your name and phone number, or email us at ipal@cox.net

Performance--Theatre (Musical Theatre)

Chicago-The Musical  is the hottest ticket in town! For THURSDAY March 15 and THURSDAY March 22 tickets are available at Paul’s Flower show and Accentrics on Main Street.   For FRIDAY, SATURDAY, and SUNDAY performances tickets are available but must be purchased directly from IPAL. This may be done by calling IPAL at 364-6114 or by emailing IPAL at ipal@cox.net  . In any case, please leave your NAME, your TELEPHONE NUMBER, and the date and times you wish tickets. NO tickets are currently available at Delaune’s Pharmacy.

We thank you all for your continuing support of IPAL and interest in its many activities. WE are only here because of YOU!

Theatre--Performance (Musical Theatre)

Tickets are now available for IPAL’s Chicago – the Musical. Performances are Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (Matinee) March 9 thru March 25.

You can purchase them in New Iberia at Delaune’s Pharmacy, Paul’s Flower Shoppe, or Accentrics on Main Street. If you are out of town you may contact Robin Bull at  519-4158 or 364-6114 (leave name and phone number) or by emailing her robinbull@hotmail.com

Our Season Ticket holders already have their tickets, and IPAL Members have already received notice of the availability.  Please consider joining us in ourMembership Drive in June for our 2012-2013. There is a great Season planned and we need your support so we can maintain and improve our facility and continue outstanding presentations!