The mission of Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré is to provide a wide range of quality theatrical productions and programming to entertain, enrich and educate the diverse population of our region and enhance the economic vitality of the city of New Orleans.
Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré has been a vital part of the New Orleans community and cultural fabric since its inception in 1916 by a group of prominent New Orleans civic leaders, educators, writers and businessmen, who, as amateur theatre-lovers, began putting on plays in the drawing room of the home of one of the members. Then, and aptly, named The Drawing Room Players, their enthusiastic audiences soon grew to the point where a larger space was needed and a new space, in the lower Pontalba Building, was rented, for a whopping $17.50 a month, and “Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré” was inaugurated.
Immediate success and a continuously growing audience soon made it clear that an even larger space was needed. The present site at the corner of St. Peter and Chartres Streets was purchased in 1922 and was designed by New Orleans architect Richard Koch.
Le Petit has been a haven for many performer, artisans and producers, who some say still smile over the theatre today. With a rich history on and off stage, the theatre has been honored with another title, ‘The Most Haunted Theatre in America’. If you ask any French Quarter local they’ll regale you with tales of passion, tragedy and love that have once surrounded the artists of Le Petit.
Since it’s inhabitance over 80 years ago, thousands of footsteps have eagerly come across the theatre’s gilded Spanish Colonial lobby, and the curtain has risen on hundreds of glorious productions, as it will continue to for years to come. We hope that you will continue to be a part of Le Petit’s unique and exciting future, acting as a cultural leader for the Arts in Louisiana, right here in the heart of the French Quarter. (Facebook)
