This year, Ambush Magazine’s* end-of-the-year theatre wrap-up “Trodding the Boards 2019 in Review,” written by Brian Sands, mentioned Loyola University New Orleans as one of the “programs that are training the next generation of theater artists.” Sands has been writing for Ambush Magazine since 1996. As a member of the Big Easy Theatre Committee, Sands is an amazing supporter of Loyola and local theatre.
Sands' wrap-up mentioned three of Loyola University New Orleans four 2019 productions. Life Sucks, directed by Aimee Hayes in the spring of 2019, was given special attention for performances by Esme Hill and Kathryn Miesse. You Can’t Take It With You garnered praise for Zach Boylan, Shelbi Copain, Landon Simpson, and Haley Nicole Taylor’s performances. Finally, Cereyna Jade Bougouneau was noted as a stand-out in Loyola’s all-female production of Romeo and Juliet.
Many Loyola Theatre Arts & Dance Department alumni were also highlighted. Kali Russel was commended for her performance as Sally Bowles in See Em Onstage’s Cabaret. Voices in the Dark Repertory Theater/Ashé Cultural Arts Center’s production of A Raisin in the Sun featuring alum Constance Thompson received much praise. The NOLA Project brought world premiere of Stockholm Syndrome: Or, Remember the Time Jimmy’s All-American Beefsteak Place Was Taken Over by That Group of Radicals? to the stage with Rebecca Elizabeth Hollingsworth. Jessie Terrebonne Thompson starred in Summer Lyric Theatre’s production of Matilda as Zinnia Wormwood.
Though they were not theatre majors, other notable Loyola alumni deserve notice for their exceptional performances. Aimee Hayes, Artistic Director of Southern Rep Theatre, was mentioned both for her direction of The Wolves as well as her portrayal of Barbara in August: Osage County. The NOLA Project’s world premiere of The Henchman: A Shakespeare Story received much acclaim and featured Anna Toujas. Finally, Dody Piper was praised for her work in Summer Lyric Theatre’s production of She Loves Me.
The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans, now in residence at Loyola, was commended at length for its productions of Suddenly Last Summer and Period of Adjustment, both of which were presented in the Lower Depths Theater.
Loyola’s Theatre Arts & Dance Department is so happy to have been included in Sands’ wrap-up and to have trained such wonderful theatre artists!
*Ambush Magazine is a New Orleans magazine that provides its readers with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) news. Its founders Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain created the publication with a focus on commitment to the truth, diversity, and integrity.
By Madeline Taliancich