South Louisiana Center for the Arts (SoLa) is a non-profit visual and performing arts education organization, which was founded in 2001. We are the only organization of its kind in Terrebonne Parish.

We produce three theatrical productions each year for children ages 7-15, in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. There are zero to few theatre opportunities for elementary school children in our area, and limited resources for secondary school students. Arts education in Terrebonne Parish needs to be supplemented, and SoLa provides this.

There are several benefits of theatre education, including:

• Learning of empathy through having the child explore different characters.
• Development of strong verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Building of teamwork and collaboration.
• Reduction of stress through the use of imagination.
• Improvement of memory.
• Improvement of self-confidence.
• Development of creative thinking and problem solving skills.
• Attainment of higher test scores in students who are exposed to music, theatre, or art education.

SoLa is funded through collection of student tuition each semester and by ticket sales from our productions, which provide quality entertainment for both children and adults in Terrebonne Parish. We additionally receive support through grants from State and Parish Arts Councils.

Each semester we hire teaching staff, including a director and vocal coach, who choose the show to be produced. We rent various spaces and venues that are available in the community for rehearsals and performances; however, SoLa aspires to one day have a dedicated building for the children to rehearse.

In the Spring and Fall, the children attend two hour classes, 1-2 days per week for 3 months, then end the semester with three performances over a weekend. In the summer, SoLa hosts an all-day summer camp for the month of July, Monday through Friday, ending with three performances over the weekend.