In a city that thrives on culture, rhythm and reinvention, the New Marigny Theatre (NMT) is carving out its place as a hub for both creative expression and community collaboration. The arts center launches a bold 2025–2026 cultural arts season this weekend with The International Dance Festival, and announced an upcoming  calendar packed with world premieres, collaborations, wellness offerings and neighborhood gatherings.

At the heart of this season is an expanded Artist Residency Program, designed to give creators the space, resources and local connections to bring new work to life. Four resident artists and companies; Neal Todten, Mélange Dance Company, playwright Anita Vatshell and the brand-new Louisiana Baroque Chamber Orchestra (LABCO)—will be in residence throughout the year. On top of that, NMT is sponsoring residencies for two international artists, who will travel to New Orleans to incubate projects and share their processes with local performers and audiences.

“This year we’re doubling down on what it means to be a cultural incubator,” says NMT Director Cameron Eaton. “We want to be more than just a stage—we want to be a place where new work is born, artists feel supported, and the community gets to engage in the creative process.”

But NMT isn’t just about performance. This season marks a significant expansion in the theatre’s health and wellness programming. Offerings include daily yoga and mindfulness classes facilitated by Bloom Yoga, as well as community clinics throughout the year and workshops on everything from sustainability, somatic soundscapes, and movement practices designed to nurture both body and spirit.

The theatre is also launching discipline specific community nights, bringing in film screenings, lectures, free community classes and conversations that extend the theatre’s mission beyond ticketed performances.

The 2025–2026 lineup reflects NMT’s eclectic identity. Highlights include:

• International Dance Festival NOLA (Sept. 4–7, 2025), bringing together performers from across the globe for performances, masterclasses, film and community engagement.
• Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Chamber Series – featuring performances throughout the season which kicks off with a world premiere of New Orleans’ own Jay Weigel’s Violin Concerto on Thursday, September 11.
• Mélange Dance Company’s Love Letters of WWII (Nov. 7–16, 2025), a newly created dance-theatre work.
• LABCO Premiere Concert (Dec. 14, 2025), introducing New Orleans’ newest baroque ensemble.
• OperaCréole’s Christmas Cantata: Ballad of the Brown King (Dec. 13, 2025), a holiday event and fundraiser spotlighting African-American operatic traditions.
• JINGLE ALL THE GAY! (Dec. 19–21 & 24, 2025), a hilarious cabaret style celebration of the holidays returns for the second year.
• Bastard Nation (Mar. 26–Apr. 5, 2026), a new play about adoption by playwright Anita Vatshell.
• Pilgrimage: An Immersive Opera Experience (Apr. 2, 2026), a collaboration involving the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and New Orleans Opera.
• New Orleans Giant Puppet Festival (Apr. 9–13, 2026), a whimsical community favorite.

Mélange Dance Company

And that’s just scratching the surface. NMT will be hosting several national acts that will be collaborating with local performers. From numerous concerts including André Bohren’s intimate concert in October to community events like the Krampus Ball in January, NMT’s calendar promises a kaleidoscope of experiences that reflects the diverse culture of New Orleans.

Founded as a program of the Church of the Arts and Sciences, a federally recognized nonprofit, New Marigny Theatre sees itself as more than a venue. Its mission is to educate, incubate, and curate—creating a platform for diverse voices, professional development and cultural enrichment.

Or as Eaton puts it: “From contemporary dance to baroque music, immersive opera to cutting-edge theatre, and just about everything in between, New Marigny Theatre is excited to be a space for creative innovation, wellness, and community connection.”

For full season details, visit NewMarignyTheatre.com.