Students at Lafayette High create spontaneous scene

Learning to Improvise
When PASA brought the improv comedy troupe Chicago City Limits to Lafayette, the troupe was in town for several days, performing not only for the public in an evening performance but also for area students in a performance hosted at Lafayette High School. A series of workshops got Lafayette High students involved in the process of improvisitory comedy.

Students formed committees to deal with all aspects of hosting the production and workshops, and welcomed area students to their school for a special daytime performance.

Browse the PASA Scrapbook

Elisa Monte Zydeco Dance Project

A forum seeking public input for the Zydeco Dance Project in June, 2007, of course included music and dancing!

The Performing Arts Society of Acadiana (PASA) has commissioned choroegrapher Elisa Monte to create an original dance piece that features a Zydeco influenced score and Zydeco-flavored choreography. The Elisa Monte Dance Company will perform its world premier with live music on September 26, 2008, kicking off PASA's 2008/2009 season, at the Heymann Performing Arts Center and then travel on the Elisa Monte Dance Company's annual international tour. The Zydeco dance project also includes education activities throughout Acadiana, including a daytime performance for junior high and high school students; master classes for local dancers and musicians; and interpretive presentations on the dance and the folk life of Zydeco.

The Zydeco dance project grew out of PASA's desire to highlight the indigenous Creole culture and Zydeco music and to increase awareness of this unique aspect of Southwest Louisiana. PASA intends for the commissioned original piece to increase the national and international profile of Zydeco music and increase Acadiana's own understanding of the cultural parameters of the Creole community. This project celebrates and shares our cultural heritage through original dance and music and will serve as a springboard for public discussions—both here and abroad—about the uniqueness of our Creole culture. PASA will export Zydeco music and dance to modern dance audiences around the world and across our country.

You can become invovled! PASA is seeking enthusiastic supporters to help us commission this project. For only $5,000, you can be among a select group of individuals and business that are named presenters. The title and credits for all public and private performances around the world will read "PASA and _________ (insert your name or name of a loved one you are honoring) present the Elisa Monte Zydeco Dance Project."

This is a great gift for birthdays, anniversaries, or some other special event. You may take this opportunity to memorialize a loved one. Be creative; think of giving the gift of dance and honoring someone at the same time!

For more information about how to become involved, contact Rebecca Doucet, development director, at 337.237.2787 or rdoucet@pasa-onlilne.org.