History

Thibodaux Playhouse, Inc. was founded in 1960 as a non-profit community theatre for the purpose of producing and performing plays for the benefit of the citizens of Thibodaux and surrounding areas.

The Playhouse is run by a board of directors elected by the general membership. Its first president was the late Thomas Guzzetta, local Thibodaux Attorney.

The first Production in 1960, “Born Yesterday,” was performed at Nicholls State University. The organization moved into the Old Park Inn Restaurant located in downtown Thibodaux in 1967. In 1973 they purchased the Old Dixie Movie Theatre Building in Thibodaux and continued to perform plays in that building for the next 10 years.

In 1983 the Playhouse moved into the Percy-Lobdell Building on St. Mary Street and became part of the Martha Sowell Utley Memorial Community Center. When the National Park Service decided to locate a branch of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve in Thibodaux, the Playhouse agreed to relinquish their lease and temporarily move out while renovations were being made and a new theatre was being constructed next door.

Today they are proud to be the principal resident of the State-of-the-Art 200 seat Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center Theatre, a part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve.