It’s certainly no secret that the state has been funneling money away from the public school system for years now. And as school systems try to keep up with Louisiana’s ever increasing accountability standards as well as skyrocketing teacher retirement costs, arts programs have been among the first to be cut at public schools.

While most schools still have some sort of art program, often times it is a shell of what has been present in the past. Additionally, talented arts programs, while terrific for those students who make the cut, exclude the majority of the student population who either don’t get accepted into the program or are just too frightened to even try in the first place. What’s more, the programs that do exist often focus on the “tangible” arts such as painting or sculpting, leaving those students interested in the performing arts with few outlets for their creativity.

Luckily, many communities have in their midst community theater organizations that foster a love of the performing arts in local residents both young and old.

Yesterday, St. John Theatre debuted its latest production, “Seussical,” which will run through next weekend. Besides being a lively, fun and heartwarming piece of entertainment, the show features a large cast of local talent. Many of the youngsters in the cast are getting their first taste of live theater through this experience, and it’s something some of them will remember fondly for the rest of their lives. Who knows, the River Parishes’ next breakout star may be among those singing and dancing their way across the stage this evening.

So make sure you make it out to see “Seussical” sometime before it’s too late. With such a large cast, you’re bound to know someone up on the stage. Plus, it’s a no-lose situation. You’ll be supporting local artistic endeavors and getting an evening of entertainment in the process.