Meet The "Brilliant" Creative Team Behind Every Brilliant Thing!
- rbeaugh
- Jul 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 6
Donna Laurent (Director) - Is a retired theatre educator
She was in the cast of “Discount Club,” the first play produced at Swamplight Theatre, written by Kay Butler. She has performed or directed on stages across the Northshore and the River Parishes. Donna is delighted to be back working with Richie, Kendel, and Thad on another project, and to celebrate friendships that date back to their college days at Southeastern.
She is pleased with Swamplight’s commitment to presenting this unique theatre experience for our patrons, which opens the discussion about the importance of supporting mental health in our community. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her theatre endeavors and hopes that each of you can “see or find at least one simple, brilliant thing to celebrate in your life every day as we live this journey one day at a time.”
Richard Beaugh (Narrator) - A native of Baton Rouge, Richard has had a 40-year love affair with the theater, sparked by his days at Southeastern under the direction of “Ms. Kay.”
Over the years, he has performed in numerous productions in Louisiana, Florida, and Virginia. He received his bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University and his master’s degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He has built a 30-year career in education, serving in admissions, college placement, and communications for college preparatory and post-secondary institutions.
Richard and his wonderful wife Katie have two beautiful children, Rece and Presley.
Kendel Smith (Production Design) - is a native of New Orleans and an alumnus of SLU. Shortly after graduating, he moved to NYC, where he worked in performing arts and healthcare and became a human rights activist and an activist for people living with HIV and AIDS.
He moved back to Louisiana in 2015, where he and fellow SLU alumni started The Kay Butler Performing Arts Project, a non-profit performing arts program in Ponchatoula and the Swamplight Theatre.
Thaddeus Kilpatrick (Sound Design) - Grew up in Baton Rouge and currently resides in Mandeville. He is happily employed in the field of land surveying and has been involved with several productions at Swamplight Theatre, including Tracers, Greater Tuna, Pump Boys & Dinettes, and The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.
A graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University and the University of Pennsylvania, Thad and his lovely wife, Beth, have four children and two grandchildren. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and cooking with friends. Thad is crazy about Mardi Gras and serves as vice president of the Krewe of Pontchartrain.
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