SWINE PALACE:
Louisiana’s Premier Professional Theatre
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 | | Death of a Salesman, spring 2002 | |
Through the presentation of celebrated works of Southern literature and the innovative exploration of classic and contemporary theatre, Swine Palace strives to have a significant impact on the cultural and economic landscape of Louisiana. Founded in 1992 by Barry Kyle (former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Theatre) in association with LSU Department of Theatre, Swine Palace is a non-profit, professional company, serving the greater Baton Rouge Community and supporting the educational mission of the Department.
Today, the university/community partnership is one of a handful in the country providing emerging talent with the opportunity to work alongside leading performing arts professionals. Named in honor of the historic 1928 livestock show pavilion in which Swine Palace is housed, our company strives to reflect the rich diversity and heritage of our state. To that end, in recent years, our productions have centered on the exploration of social equity themes. Essentially, we regard ourselves as a social change agent capable of galvanizing Louisianans around the notion of tolerance and inclusiveness.
In 1992, an historic judging pavilion on the campus of LSU was identified as the future home of the company, and a capital campaign to raise $3.5 million for the renovation of the structure was undertaken. The offspring of a public/private partnership, the 500-seat flexible theatre opened during the 1999-2000 Season, funded by the State of Louisiana and a generous grant from the Reilly Family of Baton Rouge, for whom it was named The Reilly Theatre. The Reilly has been designed to maintain the architectural integrity of its earthy origins as one of the oldest buildings on LSU’s campus.
Accomplishments
Over the course of 15 seasons, we’ve produced over 51 professional productions (including several world and American premieres) in which Louisiana born, resident and/or trained talent has been featured. As a learning laboratory for Louisiana performing artists, we take great pride in the fact that individuals associated with Swine Palace have also performed at prestigious theatre companies and in feature films, radio and television.
Economic Impact
Since 1999, Swine Palace’s estimated economic impact on Louisiana’s economy is $4 million. (Source: Americans for the Arts economic impact calculator). Our greatest contribution to the economy is intangible. As a cultural entity, our role in enhancing the overall quality of life supports area industries seeking to attract and retain talented employees. With prominent press mentions in publications such a Southern Living, American Theatre Magazine, the Wall Street Journal and Theatre Journal, the positive press Swine Palace generates for Louisiana is a valuable contribution to the state’s national reputation.
Communities Served
Our primary target audience are the residents of the 9-parish Capital Region, although we regularly have patrons from across the state and around the country. Through our educational outreach initiatives, we provide patrons with access to high-caliber, professional theatre produced locally rather than brought in from out-of-state. Our Pay-What-You-Can and $12 Sneak Previews place live theatre within reach of any citizen who desires to experience it. Furthermore, through our Project Lagniappe, we distribute free tickets through area social service organizations to needy individuals. We provide reduced priced tickets to area schools and complementary curriculum guides to area teachers.
Partnerships & Affiliations
Our innovative Community Relations Task Force works with our artistic and administrative team to foster awareness about our productions and, when appropriate, help us seed key themes (i.e., tolerance) explored on stage in the community. To date we have partnered with a variety of organizations including YWCA, LSU’s Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs, Capital City Alliance, LSU’s School of Human Ecology, U.S. Civil War Center, LSU Ag Center, LSU Women’s Center, LSU’s Department of History, Spectrum Alliance, Louisiana State Museum, LSU’s Department of Communications Studies, LSU’s Department of English, Lesbian and Gay Community Center of New Orleans and Hate Crimes Project, University Presbyterian, Metropolitan Community Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana Lagniappe, Women’s Council, Baton Rouge Community College, Southern University, Loyola University, LSU Law Center, LSU School of Social Work, Innocence Project New Orleans, LA Justice Coalition, and 100 Black Men. Over the years, we’ve collaborated with such prestigious theatre companies as Shakespeare & Company and the SITI Company, New York. In the process, we’ve begun to place Louisiana’s cultural scene on the national radar. As a professional theatre company, Swine Palace maintains a formal relationship with Theatre Communications Group, Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Actors’ Equity Association, and United Scenic Artists.
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