NATCHITOCHES – The Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University will present the 35th Annual Christmas Gala on Nov. 29-30 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 1 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 www.nsu.la/Gala23,
Dr. Robert Cardwell 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 which is based on the long-running Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular.
This year’s theme revolves around the favorite family pastime during the Christmas season of sitting at home with loved ones and enjoying some of the many Christmas movie classics. This year’s gala will feature some of the most beloved Hollywood Christmas tunes. As a special treat, we have also chosen an opera-inspired finale in honor of Jim Bob Key, co-founder of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Society and supporter of the arts at NSULA.
“Last year was my first time directing this wonderful event, and I am honored to once again lead this incredible faculty in preparation for this year’s Christmas Gala,” said Cardwell. “Rather than try to tie a bunch of music together to tell a story, I thought it would be fun to allow the music to be the centerpiece of the program. You’ll get to hear some of your favorite Christmas music from classic and more recent movies and television shows. We will also close our program with a rather hilarious take on some of opera’s most famous tunes in ‘Santa Claus: The Opera!’”
Some of the ensembles involved this year include the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra, NSU Jazz Orchestra, NSU Chamber Choir, Musical Theatre Ensemble, The NSU Dance Company, the NSU Percussion Ensemble, Opera Theater Ensemble, Improv Troupe and other CAPA students.
