ProductionHistory-Our Town

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!"

Anthony Bean

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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!

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2010-06-04 00:00:00.0

By Thornton Wilder Directed by Anthony Bean Scenic & Lighting Design by John Grimsley Costumes by Wanda Bryant

New Orleans, La...May 22, 2010...."This play is the most important play on race relations we have seen in a decade." That is how Anthony Bean, founder and Artistic Director of the Anthony Bean Community Theater, describes his re-imagined version of Thornton Wilder's classic, "Our Town". Originally set in 1900 in Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, Bean's production takes place in mid-20th century in a racially diverse Grover's Corners. Bean adds, "Town folks are living together harmoniously as one community. They project the world as it should be."Performances take place June 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 & 27Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sunday's matinee at 3:00 PM. Special Note: On Sunday, June 6, there will be an 8:00 pm show ONLY! On Friday, June 11, there will be a Fundraiser/Performance to benefit ABCT's Summer Youth Program. Tickets for that event will be $60.00 per person. Tickets are $20.00 for adults, $18.00 for students and seniors, and are available by calling the Box Office at (504) 862-7529. (Box Office hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 2-6 PM, and two hours before performances.) You can also charge by phone or charge on line at www.anthonybeantheater.com

ABCT's production of "Our Town" is the highlight of the company's 10th Anniversary season. It tells the story of two families, the Gibbs and Webb's, neighbors and friends, despite being of different races. They become one family through the marriage of their children, George and Emily. It is ultimately a story of hope.

Veteran actor Charles Bosworth plays the Stage Manager, the omniscient observer who guides the audience through the town. Greta Zehner, a long-time ABCT student and regular on the ABCT stage, plays Emily Webb, the young girl. Michael Alexander, who has also appeared in ABCT productions, plays George Gibbs, her husband-to-be. A large cast of both veterans and ABCT's signature novices play family and town folk. Derrick Deal plays Doc Gibbs. Courtney Green and Samantha Beaulieu shares duties as Mrs. Gibbs. Scott Steckler and Linda Aubert play Mr. and Mrs. Webb. New Orleans theater goers will recognize veterans Abby Lake and Elise O'Neil playing several roles. T.J Toups is double cast as the pompous Prof. Willard and the troubled choir master Mr. Stimson. Other cast members include Alfred Aubry as town milkman and weather expert Howie Newsome; Greg Williams; and Maya Patterson and Alex Vandeerlin as George and Emily's younger siblings; Tyre Jackson as newspaper boy Joe Crowell, Jr. and Jessica Jackson in various roles.

Starring