About Us
We seek to provide the highest quality performing arts instruction in support of the highest quality theater productions while creating and reflecting a diverse community that inspires students to communicate, collaborate, create and celebrate their individual contributions to the larger community.
Shreveport Little Theatre Academy grew out of the love of educating children in the art of theatre. In 2008, under the supervision of Dr. Robert K Darrow, current Managing and Artistic Director, the Academy sought to provide quality training for students in the art of theatre while stressing the importance of the process and not the end product. We feel young actors are far too often made to believe that their performances are the most important aspect of storytelling and, while we demand the absolute best from our actors, we also recognize that they have to learn about themselves along the way and recognize how far they have come. The final performances of any show are merely a way to highlight the skills they have learned along the way.
In the growth of the academy, we are proud to offer both classes and performance opportunities. Participating in one is not synonymous with the other. While we encourage our actors to always better themselves with training in many theatrical concentrations, we recognize their busy schedules and do not require that you take classes to participate in a show. We have a wonderful rotation of guest teaching artists that provide our actors with some of the best training in the area. Our Production staffs come from all areas of the city and are chosen to direct in their specialties. We firmly believe that each actor can learn something from various different directing styles and strive to provide them with the opportunity to work with various directors in the city.
When actors aren’t training and rehearsing, they are given the opportunity to perform within the community as a community service. We are proud to have performed for the Shriner’s Hospital, Norton Art Gallery, Shreve Memorial Library, The Oaks Retirement System, and at Barksdale Air Force Base. We love to foster the spirit of community at our community theatre (one of the longest running community theaters in the nation) and feel the best way to foster that spirit is to give back to community.
Each year we honor one senior academy student with the Shelburne White Award for Academy Theatre Excellence. Named after Academy members Clare Shelburne and Christopher White, The Shelburne White award is given to a Senior Academy student noted not only for their excellence as a stage performer but also excellence in leadership skills, initiative to go above and beyond what is asked, and is a mentor to fellow actors. The award is voted on by the Academy Staff and members of the Senior Academy. The Shelburne White Award for Academy Theatre Excellence is presented annually at the SLT Bravo Awards.
