August 2023 Newsletter

Dear Patrons and Friends of JPAS:

Another summer of our Theatre Kids! Summer Musical Theatre Intensives has concluded. In more than 30 years of producing these productions, I have rarely seen finer work. It's evident that these kids, whom we affectionately call our "JPAS Babies", are truly developing some serious stagecraft. The level of understanding of their characters, the strong memorization of dialogue and song, the impressive choreography and the confidence with which they convey their roles is nothing short of amazing! When you consider the lifelong memories implanted, the new friendships created and the burgeoning self-awareness gained, it's no wonder these musical theatre summer camps sell out so quickly. The responses and unsolicited messages from parents only confirm what we already know - that participation in the arts builds better, more confident, human beings! A final comment is to recognize the JPAS Babies working backstage and otherwise making different contributions to the productions. Many of them as well will go on to have careers in the arts and will cite their apprenticeship with JPAS. Case in point? Tyler Price, who got his start as a JPAS Baby, returned to direct and choreograph Grease! Kudos to Youth Programs Director Nikki Lopez and the amazing teams she assembled for both summer intensives.

In this issue, we highlight three of the many JPAS Babies who are out in the world honing their craft and making a living doing what began with JPAS. I couldn't be prouder of Bruce Landry, Madeleine Bourgeois and Gabriella Trentacoste. They are three of many and we'll continue to highlight these alumni in future newsletters.

Also, in this issue we recognize our newly elected Board of Directors' President and Vice-President. Tom Vaughn brings many years of experience as a musical theatre performer and that David Haydel, who makes the best German chocolate cake to be found, is also a JPAS Baby. Both of these men are also veterans of JPAS theatre productions and can be seen this season in several of our offerings. I am grateful for the service and sacrifices these gentlemen and all board members contribute to the leadership of JPAS.

Finally, our 46th season opens in the Jefferson Performing Arts Center on September 8th with the Louisiana Premiere of The View UpStairs. Two weeks later, we launch our Westwego stage series with the enduring classic, Steel Magnolias on September 21. The View UpStairs is a raucous musical based on the vibrant lives of the 32 patrons lost in the horrific UpStairs Lounge fire of 1973, fifty years ago in the French Quarter. Failure of the political, media and religious leaders of the day to properly investigate the crime, recognize the horror and to comfort the survivors and their families only intensified the suffering. Composer and lyricist Max Vernon has created an accurate and joyful depiction of the safe haven members of the LGBTQ+ community created at the UpStairs Lounge to find love, happiness, friendship and authenticity in an otherwise intolerant and prejudiced world. We offer The View UpStairs as an expression of understanding, support and dare I say it, love and inclusion to our fellow human beings. Come dressed in your best disco garb for each performance!

Why not invite a member of the Armed Forces and First Responders to celebrate live theatre with you next time you attend a JPAS show?

And, As Always...I'll See You at The Theatre!

God Bless!

Maestro Dennis Assaf, Founder and Artistic Director

INTRODUCING OUR NEW JPAS BOARD PRESIDENT TOM VAUGHN AND

VICE PRESIDENT DAVID HAYDEL, JR.

Tom Vaughn is a native of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music (Vocal Performance) and a minor in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University. He spent over 26 years in New York City where he studied and worked professionally in musical theater. His national and international credits include working Scala Theater in Basil, Switzerland, eight productions with Opera Northeast under the direction of Don Westwood, a national tour of Kiss Me Kate with Musical Theater Advancement Group, three musical productions including A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at The Brandon Fradd Theater in Fire Island, NY: stock theater at Seaside Music Theater in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Bucks County Theater, New Hope, Pennsylvania.

While in New York, Tom acted as Artistic Director for his own company, Unique Productions, working alongside production companies such as New York Motion, Always Entertaining and Pucci Productions. He was a board member for the Empire City Men’s Chorus (NYC) for two years, as well as an active member and featured soloist for six years.

Since moving to New Orleans in 2018, Tom has performed in six JPAS productions.

Utilizing his sales, marketing, business development and client account management skills, Tom has worked in the legal services industry for 16 years with five prominent firms: Arent Fox, Proskauer, White & Case, Fish & Richardson and Akerman.

A resident of Orleans Parish for the past five years, Tom has worked in the local healthcare industry with two prominent managed care and long-term-care organizations.

“JPAS is fortunate to have the leadership, staff and a committed Board of Directors dedicated to the production of unparalleled presentations at JPAC and the Westwego theater properties. I am proud of its long-standing history and look forward to future seasons!"

David Haydel, Jr., is a New Orleans native and a graduate of Louisiana State University. While at LSU, David studied Theatre, but ultimately received a degree in Sociology.  David is also Co-Owner of Haydel’s Bakery in Jefferson Parish.

David is a “JPAS Baby”. He began with JPAS in the early 1980’s, singing in the children’s choir that was part of JPAS’s founding. Both of his daughters grew up in the JPAS Theatre Kids! program. Not only did they perform in JPAS Theatre Kids! stage productions, but both also enjoyed the JPAS Theatre Kids! Competition Team for many years. His youngest daughter even served as co-captain of the team for 2 years.

In 2019, after a 25-year theatre hiatus, David returned to the JPAS stage. His daughters had moved on from theatre, and he wanted to show them that no matter how long you are away, it will always be there. He auditioned and was cast as the Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show. He has since gone on to do numerous shows for JPAS including Annie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, God of Carnage, Deathtrap, and numerous other local community theatre productions. You will also see him in this season’s production of Looped in November.

David is excited to serve as Vice President of the JPAS Board. His experience serving on numerous non-profit boards throughout the years, and his background in business, will help him assist JPAS meet its goals.

“I look forward to assisting this great group of board members as we embark on this journey with new leadership not only on the Board of Directors, but also at the Executive Director position. I’m excited to do my part to solidify the future of JPAS”.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GREASE

CAST, CREW, AND COUNSELORS!

Photo Credit: John B. Barrois

Photo Credit: Brandon Keim

MADELEINE BOURGEOIS

"I am grateful for the theatre program at JPAS that ignited my love for the stage as a child. Thank you for laying the foundation for my dreams to take flight."

BRUCE

LANDRY

“Everything I do today is deeply rooted in the early training that the Jefferson Performing Arts Society provided me.

I am forever grateful.”

GABRIELLA TRENTACOSTE

"JPAS created a safe space for me to grow my art, teach me the ins and outs, and shape me into the professional I am. I made friends and connections with people that I still talk to!"

JOIN US FOR OUR SEPTEMBER SEASON OPENING SHOWS!

September 8-17, 2023 The View UpStairs

at Jefferson Performing Arts Center

September 21-October 1, 2023 Steel Magnolias

at Westwego Cultural Center