Anthony Bean Community Theater & Acting School

If you want a great live theater experience, Anthony Bean Community Theater and Acting School is the place for you.This theater is a credit to the entire New Orleans community theater. I have heard nothing but positive comments and stories from the audience members. Mr. Bean directs his focus on developing the talents and acting skills of local children.When you attend a production at the theater, you get the whole theater package with superb actors, dancing, set design, and costumes as well. This has to be one of New Orleans best kept secrets, a small theater company with first-class productions that will rank way beyond your expectations. I am looking forward to the new location in Gentilly on Paris Ave.

Located on the second floor of the building occupied by St. Matthew United Church, Anthony Bean has created his own little piece of theater paradise. It's a quaint operation with a big heart.Bean put a lot of work into the effort, building a box office, providing refreshments including wine, a crawfish spinach artichoke dip, and hot dogs, chips, etc. for the kiddos. :-) The menu mixture threw me off for a minute until I thought about young theater-goers.The theater puts on good productions which normally win praises from people who truly appreciate seeing local talent at work. Bean's dedication to providing that venue for local actors and playwrights, who are mostly African-American, has been a joy to follow. His acting school component provides an opportunity for amateur thespians to learn and sharpen their skills.Most impressive is the effort the Anthony Bean Community Theater has put into the little things which make the theater experience enjoyable. The chairs are nicely covered, the surrounding curtains and risers make you forget that you are on the second floor of an old school, and (best of all) the lighting and sets are very good.