Welcome! This year the Anthony Bean Community Theater and Acting School celebrates15 years of excellence in the performing arts.

The Anthony Bean Community Theater (ABCT) was established in Spring 2000 to meet the growing demands of New Orleans area residents seeking a quality, culturally diverse, performing arts venue. The theater also met the needs of individuals seeking to learn the art of acting, set design and theatre management. In recent years, ABCT has become a vehicle to enter New Orleans' booming "Hollywood South" film industry.

ABCT is unique in that it is not only a major theater production company, but a year-round, open enrollment acting school serving both adults and children with an eclectic group of courses designed to meet the basic needs of individuals seeking careers in stage and screen acting, set design and theatre management.  

ABCT believes that the arts have the power to transform people's lives. Our Mission is simple: "to inspire those we serve through the magic of the arts."  The Hallmark of ABCT and that which separates us from "all the rest" is - diversity.  ABCT proudly presents the most diverse theater schedule in the New Orleans area.  Our programing fare includes, the classics; Shakespeare, August Wilson and Tennessee Williams as well as popular drama (Reflections and Misery), comedy (Jar the Floor, Steal Away), and musicals (The Color Purple, Simply Irma and The Phyllis Hyman Story). Most importantly, ABCT mounts original plays such as I'd Rather Be Rich and Say Amen, and showcases our talented kids in perennial favorites: Cats, The Wiz, High School Musical and 504.  

The goal of the ABCT Acting School is to provide an intense, high quality learning and performing opportunity in an atmosphere where young people are encouraged to set goals, take risks and view mistakes as an avenue for learning. ABCT opens students up to the greatness that lies within them and creates an awareness that the Arts are a constructive vehicle of personal expression.

Anthony Bean Community Theater boasts a full professional portfolio including video DVD Productions and an ABCT clothing line. In addition to children and adult acting classes, ABCT offers a youth theater, an after-school program, and the Anthony Bean Community Theater City Choir.  During the summer months, working in conjunction with the New Orleans Recreation Department Commission - ABCT also operates a summer day camp.

We at ABCT wish to express our sincere gratitude for your ongoing support over the past 15 years and we urge you to purchase your PASS for the upcoming season. Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you at our next production.

Come and celebrate our Anniversary and you will agree.

"ABCT IS MORE THAN THEATER

IT'S CULTURE!"

Back ABCT! Be a part of the Anthony Bean Community Theater and Acting School! ABCT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and all contributions are tax deductible. Donate today and keep the arts alive and exciting in our community!

2010-09-03 00:00:00.0

Written and Directed by Anthony Bean Choreographed by Arieuna McGee Scenic Design by John Grimsley Costumes by Wanda Bryant Lighting Design by John Grimsley Sound Design by Darryl Lutcher

It is four weeks after Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans is under military siege and a dusk to dawn curfew has been enacted. The international press is here to cover the story of the Katrina devastation. Fearing they will not be included in the rebuilding of a new New Orleans, a group of displaced New Orleans youth stage an “under the radar” dance concert on the corner of Orleans & North Claiborne Avenue to bring attention to the violence, crime, homelessness, and inhumane living conditions. Seven young actors, a singing trio, and a group of dancers portray the trials that make up their daily lives as they exist in the shadows of New Orleans rich and powerful. “504” blends rap, gospel, jazz, bounce and rock and roll to help the youngsters express their emotions as they tell their stories of pre- and post-Katrina.

New Orleans, LA. August 22, 2010… The Anthony Bean Community Theater will commemorate the 5th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by bringing back the hugely successful hip-hop musical, "504". "504" premiered at the Anthony Bean Theater September, 2007. Since then has toured nationally to enthusiastic reviews. Set just after the storm, "504"tells the story of New Orleans youngsters' involvement in our city's recovery. "504" is written and directed by Anthony Bean, choreographed by Arieuna McGee and musical directions by Jeremy Pierre.

Starring

N.O. Bounce Dancers

(L) Francis Clemons,Jasmin Arnold & Rayan Arnold in '504'

(L) Darryl Lutcher, Tony Felix, Michael McClain & Derrick Wells in '504'

Tony Felix as Trey in '504'

The Dancers in '504'

The Actors of '504'.