The Juneteenth Story

The Juneteenth Story is a cornerstone of Lafayette’s Juneteenth celebration. Presented by Black Theatre Experience (BTE) and SWLA Juneteenth Committee, this show is an original, community-rooted theatrical event that commemorates emancipation through story, music, movement, and intergenerational dialogue. Written by local playwright Twana Benoit and directed by Josiah Price, the production invites audiences into a culturally grounded, accessible performance that honors the past while speaking directly to the present. Told across two timelines, The Juneteenth Story connects emancipation-era experiences to modern-day questions of justice, opportunity, and civic responsibility — asking what freedom meant then, what it means now, and what it asks of us moving forward. Part civic gathering, part stage play, the experience is designed to move, challenge, and inspire audiences of all ages. Join us at Acadiana Center for the Arts for an evening of powerful local storytelling and collective reflection in celebration of Juneteenth!