NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The NOLA Project says it’s getting literary in its 21st year.
The itinerant theatre company announced its 2025-2026 Season, and the titles all revolve around iconic texts.
“The NOLA Project’s 21st Season is a love letter to the power of storytelling,” said Artistic Director Tenaj Wallace in a release about the season. “Each play this season was carefully curated and invites us to wrestle with big ideas about who we are, what we inherit, and how we choose to rise. Whether it’s a darkly comic take on a literary legend, a barbecue-laced reimagining of Shakespeare, a timeless tale of a woman’s wrath and grief, or a searing exploration of injustice in our own backyard, I’m thrilled to lead The NOLA Project into this rich textual terrain and to keep creating theatre that’s as fearless and layered as this city.”
Season 21 opens in the fall with “FRANKENSTEIN,” a world-premiere collaboration with Lafitte Greenway Partnership. After productions of
“THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW” and “DRACULA,” The NOLA Project shared it’s returning to the McElligott-verse for another monster project. Everyone’s favorite creation gets the Pete treatment in this world premiere filled with chemistry, electricity and shouting. “FRANKENSTEIN,” directed by ensemble member Leslie Claverie, shocks the Station at Lafitte Greenway Oct. 2-17.
Next is the regional premiere of the iambic adaptation that’s sweeping the country, “FAT HAM,” a co-production with Dillard University. In James Ijames’ delectably comic, Pulitzer Prize-winning reinvention of HAMLET, what starts as a boisterous barbecue quickly turns into a haunting examination of love, loss, pain and joy. Written by the playwright of 2023’s “WHITE,” “FAT HAM” – directed by Wallace – runs Jan. 15 – Feb. 6, 2026, at Dillard’s Cook Theater.
For the final main stage production of the season, The NOLA Project takes another classic outdoors with “MEDEA,” a second collaboration with Lafitte Greenway Partnership. The Ancient Greeks invented theatre, and The NOLA Project is paying tribute by going classical to close out Season 21. Audiences have been captivated by one woman’s quest for vengeance as far back as 431 BC. In this modern translation by Allistair Elliot, Euripides’ themes continue to ring true – maybe now more than ever. “MEDEA,” directed by Claverie and Wallace, makes her way to the Greenway May 15-30, 2026.
Also on the season slate is a school-touring production of “A LESSON BEFORE DYING,” by Romulus Linney, based on the novel by Ernest J. Gaines. The celebrated story about Jefferson, an innocent young man condemned to death in 1940’s Louisiana, makes for a powerful piece of theatre addressing important topics such as education, identity and community. Wallace directs the production which will feature a limited public run.
For the first time in three years, The NOLA Project will offer opportunities to audition for the full season of shows. Initial auditions took place in June as part of the joint call held at Le Petit Theatre, another round was held later in the month at Big Couch, with more community calls to come in the summer.
Also returning for the first time since 2022-2023 is Backstage Pass, The NOLA Project’s subscription program. These flexible passes allow subscribers to secure seats for the entire season upfront. Single, Double and Premier packages are now available. Individual tickets will go on sale Aug. 1.
The NOLA Project also offers sponsorship opportunities for individuals, or businesses, interested in supporting specific productions or the season as a whole. With multiple levels, and price points, sponsors have a range of options to help ensure Season 21 is properly financed while receiving exclusive perks.
For more information on productions, auditions and season subscriptions and sponsorships, visit NOLAProject.com.
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