If you need information on scheduling a tour for your school, library or community group or would like information on upcoming productions or tickets please email: info@playmakers.net
Mission Statement
Playmakers of Baton Rouge, Inc.'s mission is to provide entertaining educational experiences for young audiences through quality professional theatre.
Playmakers Facts
Louisiana's only professional theatre for young audiences: Performs to approximately 33,000 children & adults each season
- Presents professional performances each season
- Provides admission-free performances to 85% of audiences through the touring company performances.
- Presents original works each season
- Playmakers is a member of ASSITEJ, Theatre for Young Audiences/USA
Want more information? Please contact:
Playmakers Staff:
Melanie Couvillon: Executive Director, Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from Louisiana State University, Graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. She performed professionally both nationally and internationally from 1996-2003. Main credits include: Ellie in Show Boat (NY), Molly Brown in The Unsinkable Molly Brown (VA), Gladys in Pajama Game (NY), Polly in Crazy for You (MS. Norwegian Dream), Eponine / Grizabella in Cameron Macintosh’s Hey Mr. Producer (MS. Norwegian Sky), and the National Tour of Meet Me in St. Louis. She performed the role of Praline in the PBS taping of Louisiana’s Evangeline. From 1999-2003, Melanie performed the role of Mrs. Claus in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the world famous Radio City Rockettes in Detroit, Branson, and Phoenix. She has choreographed They’re Playing Our Song and Peter Pan for Baton Rouge Little Theater. She has directed James and the Giant Peach and A Christmas Carol with Paige Parsons Gagliano for Playmakers. Melanie is thrilled to be back where her professional career began. Her first professional job was with Playmakers with a Summer Tour many years ago!
Ashleigh Dowden: Theatre Operations Coordinator, Ashleigh began her professional career with Playmakers in 2000 when she performed in A Cajun Christmas Carol. Since that time she has worked for the organization as a tour actor, instructor, director, stage manager, and as education coordinator. She made her Manship Theatre debut in 2005 as director of Babes in Toyland. Ashleigh has worked in the Baton Rouge community for seven years as a theatre practitioner, university instructor, and school teacher. She worked professionally in Chicago, Cincinnati, and San Francisco. Ashleigh has her M.F.A. in Acting from Western Illinois University and she is presently in the dissertation phase of her PhD in Theatre from L.S.U. She is currently a theatre instructor at St. Joseph’s Academy Catholic School.
Playmakers of Baton Rouge Board of Directors
Michael Slaughter, President
Raymond Diamond
Mark Fry
Bradley Gremillion
Susan Henry Jones
Gayle Joseph
Neena Kelfstrom
Amy Lambert
Linda Richard
Jill Roshto
Playmakers Administrative offices are located:
Playmakers of Baton Rouge
Shaw Center of the Arts
100 Lafayette St. Suite B227
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
225-389-7246
Playmakers’ Mailing Address.
Playmakers of Baton Rouge, Inc.
P.O. Box 4286, Baton Rouge, LA 70821
If you would like information on upcoming productions or tickets please email: info@playmakers.net