Shreveport Little Theatre welcomes new leadership

June 11, 2024

Shreveport Little Theatre & Academy is delighted to introduce Laura Beeman Nugent, a seasoned theatre professional with a wealth of experience, as the new Artistic Director. Joining her is Kelly Berne, a dedicated advocate for the arts and a strategic thinker, the new Managing Director. Beeman Nugent and Berne are poised to steer the theatre into a new era, while honoring its esteemed history as one of America’s oldest continuously producing theaters.

Shreveport Little Theatre, a cultural institution founded in 1922 by three visionary women, is now entering its 103rd Season with a new chapter. The all-new leadership team of Beeman Nugent and Berne, is a testament to the theater’s commitment to diversity and progress. This team is further strengthened by the election of Dr. Angelique Feaster Evans who holds a PhD in Leadership Studies, as Board President, Vice-President Emily Petzold, Secretary/Treasurer Roshanda Spears, and Immediate Past President Marianne Archibald, forming the theater’s new executive committee of the Board of Directors.

Laura Beeman Nugent

Laura Beeman Nugent began working with Shreveport Little Theatre in 1998, participating in former Artistic and Managing Director Dr. Robert Darrow’s directorial debut in Dearly Departed. After touring the nation and Canada with Missoula Children’s Theatre, Beeman Nugent returned to Shreveport and continued to work at Shreveport Little Theatre. She has been a cornerstone of the Shreveport Little Theatre Academy since its inception in 2007.

As one of the founders, Beeman Nugent has dedicated over fifteen years to shaping the Academy’s artistic vision and nurturing the talents of countless young performers as the Academy’s Artistic Director, her appointment since 2013. Beeman Nugent has also served as a director and choreographer for Shreveport Little Theatre’s MainStage and summer musical productions for ten years. Her deep-rooted passion for the performing arts and commitment to educational excellence has left an indelible mark on the Academy and the broader theatre community.

Kelly Burne

Berne’s journey with Shreveport Little Theatre Academy began in 2013 when she started as a dedicated volunteer. Her exceptional organizational skills and enthusiasm for theatre led to her appointment as Academy Coordinator in 2018. Berne’s hands-on approach and unwavering commitment to the Academy’s mission were instrumental in bringing a new vision to the institution, leveraging digital technology, updating policies and procedures, and enhancing marketing strategies to foster the Academy’s growth and development into what it is today. Finishing a Master’s in Non-Profit Administration, Berne’s training will be instrumental in enhancing the theater’s growth and success, building on the solid foundation begun by Dr. Robert Darrow.

The appointment of Nugent and Berne marks a significant milestone for Shreveport Little Theatre & Academy. Their combined experience, passion, and visionary leadership are poised to drive the organization forward and ensure its continued impact on the cultural landscape of Shreveport and beyond.