Annual Christmas Gala to be held at Northwestern State University Dec. 4-6

NATCHITOCHES - The Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University will present the 36th Annual Christmas Gala on December 4-5 at 7 p.m. and December 6 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. Tickets are $15. NSU, BPCC@NSU and LSMSA students are admitted free with a current student I.D. Tickets can be purchased online at https://nsu.la/Gala2024

Assistant Professor of Theatre Dr. Sean Bartley 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 provides a formative arts experience to children from Natchitoches Parish and the surrounding region.

This year's production tells the story of the unsung heroes behind Santa's trip around the world: Mrs. Claus and the Elves. As Santa delivers toys, the rest of the team plans an enormous party to celebrate his return and welcome the Christmas season. Each of the NSU ensembles and groups will both literally and figuratively bring something unique to the party, and beautiful costumes, sets, and spectacle elements set a festive mood.

"This is my first time directing this beloved Natchitoches institution, and I'm interested in celebrating long-time Gala traditions while introducing a few new ones," Bartley said. "Holiday classics like 'Sleigh Ride' and 'Carol of the Bells' are juxtaposed with songs popularized by Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey."

Bartley said this is also the first Gala for NSU's new Director of Choral Activities Dr. Shane Thomas.

"I'm particularly excited the show will feature all three NSU choral groups for the first time in many years: Chamber Choir, Orpheus and Lyrica," he said. "The final number will feature over 80 singers from these choirs with 50 members of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra and many performers from our other groups. My hope is that this finale will start this year's Christmas festivities in Natchitoches off with an enormous bang."

Other performing ensembles include the NSU Jazz Orchestra, Musical Theatre Ensemble, NSU Dance Company, Demon Heat, NSU Percussion Ensemble, Improv Troupe and the Demon Dazzlers.