NATCHITOCHES – The 34th annual Christmas Gala will be presented at Northwestern State University on Nov. 30 – Dec. 2 in The A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. The Gala will begin at 7 p.m. each evening with a 9 p.m. performance on Dec. 2.
Tickets are $15. NSU, BPCC@NSU and Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts students are admitted free with a current student I.D. Dr. Robert Cardwell is the gala director. Tickets are available online at https://allevents.in/natchitoches/2022-northwestern-state-christmas-gala/10000395954790437
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.
The theme for this year’s Gala revolves around Santa’s little helpers who work around the clock to get everything ready to see him off on Christmas Eve. Toys come to life and join the elves in song and dance as Santa contemplates the meaning of Christmas.
“My first experience with the Christmas Gala was last year as an audience member, and I was blown away by the amount talent and artistry being shared on stage,” said Cardwell. “Needless to say, I was both incredibly excited and slightly panicked when I was asked to direct this year’s event. Gala is a massive undertaking, but the CAPA faculty and staff and the students’ excitement and dedication to excellence have made this such a wonderfully memorable experience. I think the community is in for a real treat.”
Cardwell said this year’s Christmas Gala will bring back some of the community’s favorite moments from past galas and provide several new elements to showcase some of CAPA’s finest talents.
Some of the ensembles involved this year include the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra, Northwestern Lyrica, Men’s Chorus, Musical Theatre Ensemble, and other students in the School of Creative and Performing Arts.
