He’s an actor and a dancer who can artfully manage a song. Theatrically speaking, he’s a triple threat, but when Chris Aucoin-Melohn steps on the stage today, he takes the spotlight as a director and presenter.
“Welcome to The Shell Theatre in the Dr. Rodney R. Lafon Performing Arts Center,” he says, greeting the audience in one of the most comfortable, spacious, technologically advanced and acoustically enhanced venues in Louisiana. Located in the midst of industries along the Mississippi River, The Shell Theatre is the main stage for the Lafon Arts Center in St. Charles Parish Public Schools – with significant lagniappe for art enthusiasts of all ages throughout the region.
Thanks to the innovative vision of former St. Charles Parish Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Rodney Lafon and with support from the community, elected officials, business and industry, and an unprecedented endowment from Shell, the facility showcases productions from around the corner to around the globe. “That’s in our mission and what sets the center apart. We are a revolving door of different genres,” the Lafon Arts Center Director explains. “Our region offers diverse and great venues for Broadway road shows, concerts, dance performances, and more,” he continues. “The Lafon Arts Center is a melting pot of dance, music, and theatre from an Alvin Ailey dance company to a national touring Broadway show as well as an occasional drive-in movie.”
As part of the St. Charles Parish Public School System, the Lafon Arts Center opens the curtain to the community. “There’s a tendency to think we are limited to productions for school kids or to provide a stage for school performances,” Aucoin-Melohn comments. “We do that by providing a magnificent professional setting for the schools in St. Charles Parish to present their choir, band, and theater performances, but we also bring in world-renowned and regional artists to perform for the public and our 10,000 students each year. Every age-appropriate production in The Shell Theatre is a two-performance show – a ticketed or subscription package for the public and another performance for students. Actually, the most exciting part of my role is providing the same arts experiences to St. Charles Parish public school students, for free, including workshops with the artists.”
Aucoin-Melohn acknowledges Shell’s $5 million perpetuity endowment, along with additional grants and donations, as significant to the center’s success. “It’s an advantage to have such a reputable industry partner like Shell spearhead philanthropy and support. When you have Shell’s name on your stage, that opens the way for other business and industry partners to say, ‘ let’s do it, too’.”
This season, Aucoin-Melohn welcomes audiences to The Shell Theatre at the Lafon Arts Center with a wide range of productions including a Twelfth Night (January 6, 2024) concert by Broadway and television star Megan Hilty. The dynamic star of NBC’s Smash, who made her Broadway debut as Glinda in Wicked, makes her debut appearance in the greater New Orleans area.
Other highlights of the 2023-2024 season include Menopause the Musical; On Your Feet, the Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan; and the award-winning Come From Away, a breathtaking musical set in the aftermath of 9/11. Dance enthusiasts will enjoy Ailey II, the modern dance company founded by the famed Alvin Ailey, and holiday traditionalists will appreciate The Nutcracker performed by the River Region Ballet. Extending its mission to introduce the arts to the younger generation, the center will also host the Sugar Plum Party, an abbreviated production of The Nutcracker followed by an onstage party with the Sugar Plum Fairy.
In its Legends Series, the Lafon Arts Center presents Electric Avenue, a celebration of 1980’s New Wave and Radio Pop; Rhinestone Cowgirls, a salute to country music female vocalists of yesterday and today; and Boys of D63, vocalists performing everything from Billy Joel to Earth Wind and Fire with some Frankie Vallie and a little bit of humor.
There’s more. “We've got magic to do just for you, your family, and our students,” Aucoin-Melohn notes, putting the Lafon Arts Center’s spin on a line from the Broadway musical Pippin.
The Shell Theatre at the Lafon Arts Center is located in Luling, 20 minutes from the heart of New Orleans. You’ll find well-lighted, accessible and free parking for all performances. To purchase individual tickets or series subscriptions, visit lafonartscenter.org. Call 985-331-3670 for more information.
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September 10, 2023 at 12:00PM
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Live On Stage in Luling, LA - NOLA.com
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