Ascension Community Theatre

The Faces of Theatre

Pictured (Left to Right): Sitting: Shelby Cascio, Secretary & Sean Riley, Artistic Director & Standing: Penny Diez, Treasurer; Dustin Delaune, President; Sharonda Morris, Vice-President

For more than two decades, Ascension Community Theatre has been a creative home for artists, volunteers, and audiences across Ascension Parish. Founded in December 1999 and housed in the former Pasqua Theatre, ACT has grown from a small community endeavor into a respected cultural institution. One built on collaboration, passion, and an enduring love for live performance.

Having recently closed its 25th Silver Anniversary season, the theatre now stands at a meaningful point in its history: honoring its legacy while actively shaping what comes next. The milestone season celebrated not just the productions that filled the stage, but the people behind them, those who have given their time, talent, and heart to ensure the theatre’s continued success. ACT remains a volunteer-driven organization, guided by a dedicated leadership team that works collectively to support artistic excellence and community engagement. Among them is Dustin Delaune, the current president of the board, whose journey with ACT began in 2012 as an intern. Over the years, that early involvement evolved into long-term leadership, with Delaune stepping into the role of president in 2018. Their story reflects a larger truth about ACT: many who walk through its doors find not just a stage, but a place to grow.

Today, the focus at Ascension Community Theatre extends beyond individual productions. The organization is committed to creating accessible, high-quality theatre while expanding educational outreach and development opportunities for performers, technicians, and creatives of all ages. By fostering mentorship and hands-on experience, ACT continues to invest in the future of the arts within
the community.

As Ascension Community Theatre moves forward beyond its Silver Anniversary, it does so with a strong foundation, a unified leadership team, and a renewed commitment to its mission: bringing people together through the transformative power of theatre. Whether onstage, behind the scenes, or in the audience, ACT continues to prove that community theatre is not just about performance- it’s about connection!