Performing Arts & Cultural Center

From Historic Schoolhouse to Thriving Arts Center: The Legacy of Good Hope School

Nestled along River Road in Norco, Louisiana, the Good Hope School was once the heartbeat of education for children from Good Hope, New Sarpy, Norco, and Destrehan. Established in the 1930s, the school flourished alongside the booming oil industry, shaping young minds in a tight knit community along the Mississippi River.

However, as industries expanded and families relocated, Good Hope slowly faded away, its homes acquired, its streets emptied, and its beloved school abandoned. For years, the building sat vacant, a silent reminder of a once vibrant community.

A New Stage for an Old Landmark

Determined to preserve the school’s legacy, the St. Charles Parish School Board took a bold step: rather than letting this historic site disappear, they leased it to the River Region Drama Guild. This decision breathed new life into the structure, transforming it into the River Region Performing Arts and Cultural Center (RRPACC) now the only community theatre venue in St. Charles Parish.

Today, this revitalized landmark has become a hub for creativity, hosting actors, dancers, and community members through inclusive and affordable programming. In the past 27 years, RRPACC has:

Welcomed over 3,000 performers to its stage

Provided nearly 1500 children with free acting workshops

Brought together volunteers from all walks of life, Teachers, police officers, plant workers, and more to share their love of theatre

Resilience Through the Storm

Like the community it represents, RRPACC has faced hardships, none greater than Hurricane Ida in 2021, which caused extensive damage to the building. But thanks to dedicated volunteers and local support, the Drama Guild has restored and upgraded this historic space, ensuring that Good Hope School continues to inspire future generations.

From a schoolhouse to a stage, the story of Good Hope lives on, not in silence, but in the voices of performers, the laughter of audiences, and the spirit of a community that refuses to let its history fade.