Welcome to
Bruin Theatre!
Jefferson Parish Public School Gifted/Talented Theatre Program
at Bonnabel High School​
Join us and witness the power of compelling performances. As a Title I High School theatre program, we're dedicated to serving our community by delivering high-quality productions. With 18 years of experience in producing professional performances, we're confident you'll love what you see.
Our Journey
2009-2018: We began our first production with little to no funding. Through hard work, we have become a professional theatre troupe in our community. Mrs. Lanson has produced over 25 theatre productions, 6 student films., and written over $100,000 in grants by 2018.
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2019: We received our most significant grant, the Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative, to improve theatre technology and set design. This helped us become the most professional high school theater in the Jefferson Parish Public School System, the largest school district in Louisiana. We produced Sam Shepard's True West and A Lie of the Mind to pay tribute to the Playwright/Actor/Director's death.
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2020: Due to COVID-19, we pivoted to film and received first place awards for two student documentaries with Film Prize Jr Film Festival.
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2021: Hurricane Ida completely destroyed our theatre. We found alternative performance spaces on campus and produced two productions of Almost Maine and Decision Height the same year with a bare budget and community support.
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2022: Inspection and architectural design steps began, making our theatre space unusable. Our theatre students transformed a large classroom across campus into a functioning theatre space in five months, with help from the J. Edgar Monroe Foundation. We produced David Chambers' Moliere's The Miser.
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2023: We continue to work in our Found Theatre space. Our student enrollment climbed to 2,400 students due to local school closures. We produced The 39 Steps with a cast of over 20 and revisited August Osage County in the Spring of 2024.
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2024: After three years, renovation of our theater space completed and we return to produce "Dracula" with the help of Walmart Grants and J. Edgar Monroe Foundation.
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2025: The Theatre became more involved on campus by designing the largest Homecoming Event since Bonnabel's opening, produce a film for Black History Month, and designed and built our Football and Basketball banquets for our Championship teams. We produced a successful sold out run of Larry Shue's The Foreigner which helped to grow our Theatre involvement at Bonnabel.
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2026: We produced our largest casting of a production with "You Can't Take It With You". J Edgar Monroe Foundation continues to support our growing theatre as well as Robert Flannery, and local Walmarts.
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Our Mission
At Bruin Theatre, we are committed to excellence in the arts and to serving our community through engaging and high-quality performances. Thank you for your continued support of the Bruin Theatre program.
Meet the Director
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Performed 30+ plays
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Directed 28+ productions
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Designed 28+ productions (set, lighting, sound, costume, makeup & hair)
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Teacher of the Year (2014-15) Given by Jefferson Parish School System
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Most Dynamic Instruction (2018, 2019) Given by Bonnabel Administration
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Elective Department Chair (2017-19)
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2nd place Theatre Festival Best Student Scene BHS (2013)
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Student Best Documentary & Top 5 Finalists (2021) FilmPrize Jr. Festival
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Student Best Animation (2023) FilmPrize Jr. Festival
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Bruin Award (2016) BHS
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10 Year Pin (2019)
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Served as JP Talent Lead Teacher 2020-2024
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Served as SkillsUSA Advisor 2014-2018
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Served as NTHS Chapter Director 2014-2023
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Served as Dept Head CTE 2014-2017
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Compass Evaluator 2015
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Directed in Fringe Theatre Festivals
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Directed in Outworks Festivals
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Secured funding/grants +$250K
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Received JPSchools Teacher Tenure Status
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2023 Completed Masters in Educational Leadership
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2025 Became ODR for SPED department
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Bonnabel Gold Apple Award (2026)
Mrs. Lanson's Education
2004-2009
Bachelor's Degree
Theatre Performance
Louisiana State University
A Theatre Performance degree provides students with a comprehensive education in the art of acting, directing, and production. This program combines practical training with theoretical knowledge, enabling students to develop a wide range of skills essential for a successful career in theatre and related fields.
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Key Highlights
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Stanislavsky Studies:
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Focus: Emphasizes the importance of an actor's internal experience, encouraging deep emotional connection to the character.
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Skills Gained: Emotional memory, relaxation techniques, and methods to achieve truthful and realistic performances.
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Accomplishments: Students often perform in challenging roles that demand emotional depth and complexity, contributing to a well-rounded acting portfolio.
Meisner Studies:
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Focus: Concentrates on external stimuli and spontaneous reactions, promoting genuine and instinctual acting.
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Skills Gained: Repetition exercises, improvisation, active listening, and developing a strong presence on stage.
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Accomplishments: Mastery of Meisner techniques leads to dynamic and engaging performances, enhancing an actor's ability to respond authentically to their scene partners.​
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A Theatre Performance degree equips students with the tools, techniques, and experiences necessary to pursue a dynamic and successful career in the performing arts.
2021-2023
Masters Degree
Educational Leadership
Louisiana State University
Shreveport
A Master's Degree in Educational Leadership prepares individuals for advanced roles in educational administration, policy, and leadership. This program focuses on developing the skills needed to effectively lead and manage educational institutions, promote educational equity, and drive student success.
Key Highlights
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240-Hour Internship:
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Focus: Provides hands-on experience in educational leadership, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.
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Skills Gained: Leadership and management skills, strategic planning, staff development, and organizational improvement.
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Accomplishments: Successful completion of the internship, demonstrating the ability to lead projects, manage teams, and implement school-wide initiatives.
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Graduate Study of Theatre's Impact on Social Emotional Learning (SEL):
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Focus: Explores how theatre education enhances students' social and emotional learning, including empathy, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills.
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Skills Gained: Research and analysis skills, understanding of SEL frameworks, and methods to integrate theatre into educational curricula.
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Accomplishments: Conducting and presenting research on the positive effects of theatre on student SEL, contributing to academic discussions and practical applications in education.
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A Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, coupled with specialized study on theatre's impact on SEL, provides a robust foundation for educational leaders committed to fostering holistic student development and creating inclusive, supportive learning environments.