NATCHITOCHES – The Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University will present the 38th Annual Christmas Gala on December 2-3 at 7 p.m. and December 4 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. Tickets are $15 plus an online purchasing fee. NSU, BPCC@NSU and LSMSA students are admitted free with a current student I.D. Tickets can be purchased online at https://nsu.la/GalaTickets.
Director of Choral Activities Dr. Shane Thomas is the Gala director. More than 300 Northwestern State students, faculty and staff in the School of Creative and Performing Arts combine their talents to present the Gala as a kickoff to the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. Large crowds attend the Gala each year, and special matinee performances for school groups provide a formative arts experience for children from Natchitoches Parish and the surrounding region.
This year’s production celebrates the 100th Natchitoches Christmas Festival by showcasing what NSU and CAPA do best. Each ensemble featured will highlight the different strengths of CAPA, including the orchestra, choirs, hip-hop, ballet and iconic favorites like the Toy Soldiers, Rockettes and Percussion Ensemble among others. These performances will showcase NSU’s Christmas spirit in homage to our contributions to Natchitoches and to the Christmas Festival.
“I’m so excited to collaborate alongside the 100th Christmas Festival to showcase what CAPA does best” says Thomas. “Each artistic entity that makes up CAPA will shine and showcase our strength and innovation in performance experiences across our region and the state of Louisiana.”
Other performing ensembles include the NSU Jazz Orchestra, Musical Theatre Ensemble, NSU Dance Company, Demon Heat and the Demon Dazzlers.