Summmmmerrr Children's Workshop

St. John Theatre presented a children’s drama workshop May 29 – June 10 at the theater, 115 W. Fourth Street., in Reserve. Children having completed third grade through eighth grade were invited to attend.

Frozen KIDS is a 30-minute adaptation of the 2018 Broadway musical, which was based on the 2013 Walt Disney Animation Studios film.Campers loved this fanciful and heartwarming stage adaptation of the celebrated animated film. Join Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven, and all of our favorite characters as they embarked on an epic, ice-filled journey of self-discovery, camaraderie, and the real meaning of true love. Adapted for young performers, this musical included favorite Frozen songs such as “Love Is an Open Door,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “Let It Go.”

Veteran director Kristen Brooks directed the workshop and the production. Participants presented Disney’s Frozen Kids June 10 at 2:00 pm and  7 p.m.

Campers participated in crafts and games while taking part in the production and they  also received a special cast t-shirt and were treated to a cast pizza party on the last day of the camp.

Dubi's Let's Go Library Tours St. John Theatre...

St. John the Baptist Parish Library’s very own Dubi got the chance to tour St. John Theatre recently. Taye Drake was able to show Dubi around the theatre and teach him all about the fun and exciting things we do.

“Come along for another adventure on Dubi's Let's Go Library! Today Dubi's Travel Book is taking us to the Theatre. Learn all about Theatres and stage shows with Dubi & the St. John Theatre!”

Black History Month Programing

St. John Theatre recently hosted a Black History Program featuring New Orleans native Don Lewis. Lewis is pictured with some of the local 3rd and 4th grade students who visited the Theatre on Friday Feb. 10. Lewis performed skits and encouraged audience participation acting out different scenes.

Mr. Lewis. is a graduate of NOCCA and studied theater at the College of Santa Fe, NM and University of New Orleans. He currently teaches Gifted and Talented Theater in New Orleans Public Schools.

Going Going ALREADY GONE

Saturday February 4th was an amazing night for St. John Theatre. Playing to a SOLD OUT crowd, the Texas based band Already Gone rocked the house as band members Jay Bourgeois (Bass / vocals), Clint Springer (Lead Vocals / guitar), Johnny Ono (Guitar / keys / vocals), Harry Ochsenbein (lead guitar / talk box / vocals), Leroy St. Pierre (drummer / vocals) brought their own twist to the classic tunes of The Eagles. The concert was extra special for Leroy St. Pierre and Jay Bourgeois who are both from St. John Parish.

In conjunction with our 2023 concert series St. John Theatre is partnering with our bands to help support charity organizations in our community. Already Gone chose the organization Perry’s Posse. Already Gone, Perry’s Posse, and all of us at St. John Theatre would like to thank those who donated to the organization.

Already Gone now holds the record of being the first band to ever sell out a St. John Theatre concert!

Photos by: Danielle Bourgeois & Leroy St. Pierre

Auditions

St. John Theatre has provided St. John and the surrounding parishes with live theatre experiences since 1981. Our 42nd season will be no exception as we are thrilled to present FOOTLOOSE The Musical as our summer production. If you want to dance, dance dance this summer, join the SJT family for FOOTLOOSE.

There will be an informational meeting May 8th at 6:30 pm with auditions May 9, 10, 11, & 12 at 6:30 pm.  With callbacks May 13th at 6:30 pm.
Ages 15 & up invited to audition.
You MUST fill out the google form in order to audition.
These will be CLOSED auditions. (you must be auditioning in order to enter the building.)

St. John Theatre 115 West 4th Street, Reserve LA

For more information please email the director - stjohntheatredirector@gmail.com

539 Days

It has been 539 days since the closing of our last summer musical on July 31, 2021. Little did we know that just a few short weeks after the final curtain call for “Once Upon A Mattress” that the face of our region and community would be changed forever. These 539 days have been Stretched into a long stretch; we are so happy to be welcoming you back into our Historic Theatre very soon! As we put on the final touches on our come back campaign, we are so grateful for the help of all of our volunteers who came out to support and help us get the theatre ready for all of you. While many things have been changed and updated, rest assured that we have preserved the history and nostalgia of the oldest community theatre in the river parishes.
Here is a sneak peek at some of the newly-renovated theatre.
Thank you again to everyone who came out to volunteer!

Announcing our Summer 2023 Musical Production

FOOTLOOSE THE MUSICAL

St. John Theatre has provided St. John and the surrounding parishes with live theatre experiences since 1981. Our 42nd season will be no exception as we are thrilled to present FOOTLOOSE The Musical as our summer production. If you want to dance, dance dance this summer, join the SJT family for FOOTLOOSE.

When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. But he’s not prepared for the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, who is determined to exercise control over the town’s youth. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges pins a father longing for the son he lost against a young man aching for the father who walked out on him.

To the rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated Top 40 score, augmented with dynamic new songs, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people while guiding them with a warm heart and open mind.

Footloose first burst onto the silver screen in 1984 and proved to be one of the year’s most successful motion pictures. The soundtrack recording reached #1 on the Billboard charts, and went on to sell over 17 million copies worldwide, generating such Top Forty hits as its title song and “Let’s Hear It For The Boy" (both of which received Academy Award nominations), plus “Almost Paradise,” “Holding Out For A Hero,” and “I’m Free (Heaven Helps the Man).”

Audition information and dates will be announced soon. Keep an eye on our social media and website for updates. 

Show dates will be July 21, 22, 23 & 26 - 29, 2023.

St. John Theatre Having fun at the Library!

We are excited to once again be partnering with the St. John Parish Public Libraries! The Libray’s very own mascot Dubi had a special Christmas event with Santa and they needed some help from St. John Theater. Karli Wombles helped Santa and Dubi spread some Christmas cheer to the children of St. John Parish.

We proudly unveil the first concerts of our 2023 concert series.

St. John Theatre is excited to announce that the year long intermission due to Hurricane Ida is coming to a close.  We proudly unveil the first concerts of our 2023 concert series.   The Grand Re-opening will feature the legendary St John Parish band, IMAGE, on Saturday, January 21st.  Two weeks later, the premier Eagles tribute band, ALREADY GONE, will be appearing in all its glory on February 4th.   March will dawn with the performance of REO Survivor, the region's best REO Speedwagon Survivor Tribute band.

IMAGE started performing in 1969.  Their  philosophy was to do things that other bands would not, such as incorporate media, comedy and new technology into their performances.  The band was popular in the late sixties and early seventies within the Southeast Louisiana Club Circuit.  They took a very long hiatus but played to a sold out audience in 2011 for a Reunion at San Francisco Plantation. That experience morphed into the band as it is today.  They have kept their philosophy of cutting edge entertainment, bringing to audiences the unique experience of the 60's and 70's. IMAGE captures the audience's attention with a selection of songs from that era along with a multimedia light show to reproduce the psychedelic atmosphere of that time period.  Many of the songs are presented as medleys that weave memories into the music.  Playing the music of groups such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, the Allman Brothers, and LED Zepplin attracts an audience of both older and younger generations.

Already Gone is a rock band from Houston, TX, known for being the premier Eagles tribute band in the South. Formed in 2006, these five veteran musicians produce the Eagles' lush vocal harmonies so accurately that it’s uncanny. They don’t dress like the Eagles, speak like them, or act like them - rather, they give tribute to one of the greatest classic rock acts in history by their painstaking attention to the musical details. Their lead vocalist has the amazing ability to sound incredibly like either Don Henley, Glenn Frey, or Joe Walsh, as evidenced by his performances on Hotel California, Take It Easy, and Rocky Mountain Way, respectively, and his note-for-note delivery of Randy Meisner’s Take It To The Limit is nothing short of impressive, especially since it’s performed in the original key! Capturing the energy and subtle swagger of the early Eagles perfectly, the band paces the delivery of pitch-perfect harmonies and intricate musical arrangements between witty stage patter, reminding electrified audiences once again why the Eagles are legend, and why Already Gone is at the top of its game.The current band features Reserve-native Gus Bourgeois on bass and Garyville percussion dynamo, Leroy St. Pierre.  The concert is sure to turn into a rocking hometown affair!

Tickets for each concert will be $25.00 per person and will go on sale Friday, November 25th at midnight on the St. John Theatre website. 

All concerts will begin at 7:30pm.

Historic St John Theatre is eager to re-open as THE venue for quality entertainment in the River Parishes, having delighted audiences for the last 42 years.   Come home to St. John Theatre, take a peek!   You will have a great time, we guarantee!

Please check www.stjohntheatre.com, email Managing Director Amy Wombles at sjtreserve@gmail.com, or text (504) -676-4700 for more information.

 

 

Hurricane Ida Repairs Update #2

One year ago our region was devastated by the effects of Hurricane Ida. While St. John Theatre was fortunate to be spared major damage, the theatre did suffer some damages that are now being repaired. The main roof has been repaired; new siding and fascia are in place. The contractors are now working on the interior spaces. All four of our dressing rooms will be getting new sheet-rock and paint as well as our ticketbooth, Managing Director's office, and men’s restroom. There will be new wallpaper and carpeting in the lobby. While we are awaiting the finishing touches, please be assured that we are ready to welcome you back into our historic theater as soon as everything is complete.

We are working on a full calendar of events for our 2023 season and can't wait to share with you soon all the exciting events we have planned.

See you soon!

Pumpkin Patch Party

St. John Theatre is currently celebrating its 41st year in operation and is continuing its mission to serve the community with its inaugural “Pumpkin Patch Party”.

The event will take place on the grounds of our Historic Theatre on Saturday October 29th from 10am - 3pm. Each participant gets to pick one pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, unlimited game play at our "carnival style" games, a prize for participation, and more! There will be a $5.00 fee for each participant.

It is our commitment to the community that drives us to persevere. St John Theatre strives to provide the residents of the River Parishes with opportunities to participate in and enjoy the performing arts for years to come.

This event is made possible by the sponsorship of NALCO WATER: An EcoLab Company.

For information please contact our Managing Director Amy Wombles at 504.676.4700.
or send an email by using the link below.

Hurricane Ida Repairs Update #1

It's this time of year when the St. John Theatre would be presenting a first-class summer musical. Unfortunately, because of hurricane Ida's destruction, our beloved historic theatre is undergoing major repairs which prohibit us from presenting any production any time soon. Rest assured, once these repairs are made, St. John Theatre will swing back into full operation offering concerts, programs and theatre activities.

We will keep you posted on the grand re-opening of the historic St. John Theatre, soon to be in its 43rd year of operation.

Ariel and Friends Visit the St. John The Baptist Library Story Times

Ariel and her friends had so much fun visiting with everyone at the St. John The Baptist Library branches this summer. They read stories to the children and played fun games. We are looking forward to visiting them again for many summers to come.