ABOUT US
KELLY FOUCHI​ (Co-Artistic/Managing Director)
Kelly has built a dynamic career as a Director, Producer, Choreographer, Performer, and Teacher, shaping the cultural landscape of Greater New Orleans for more than two decades. As Co-Artistic Director of Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts, she has produced and directed critically acclaimed and "audience favorite" productions ranging from Broadway blockbusters to children's works, leading the theater to become one of the region’s most vibrant hubs for live performance.
Her directing and producing credits include large-scale musicals, from contemporary to classic, and family favorites, some standout productions include Dear Evan Hansen, Something Rotten, Billy Elliot, Matilda, The Prom, Hairspray, The Music Man, and Annie. Beyond Rivertown, Kelly has directed and choreographed at venues including Virginia Musical Theatre, Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre, Southern Rep, Le Petit Théâtre, and Jefferson Performing Arts Society.
In addition to her stage work, Kelly is the Owner & Artistic Director of Encore Studio of Dance, Tumbling, Music & Theatre, where she has educated thousands of young artists since 2011. Under her leadership, Encore has grown into one of the premier training grounds for performing arts education in the region, offering instruction in dance, acting, voice, tumbling, and music for students of all ages. Kelly has also received Ancillary Certification by the State of Louisiana to teach Fine Arts.
Her work has been recognized with numerous honors, including being named to Gambit’s “40 Under 40,” New Orleans City Business’s “Women of the Year” (2013), and New Orleans Family’s “Favorite Theatre Program” (2024 & 2025).
A passionate performer herself, Kelly has appeared in leading roles in beloved shows including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Something Rotten, Shrek the Musical, Oliver, Steel Magnolias, and The Prom. Her ability to move seamlessly between performance, direction and choreography gives her a deep understanding of the theatrical process from every angle, and for all ages.
Kelly’s career is defined not only by artistic excellence but also by her commitment to mentorship and community. She continues to create productions that thrill audiences, inspire students, and celebrate the magic of live performance.
GARY RUCKER (Co-Artistic/Managing Director)
Gary received his MFA in Acting from The University of New Orleans where he was a member of the Resident Acting Company. As an actor and director, Gary has worked in every major venue in the Greater New Orleans area as well as theaters from Baton Rouge to Maine.
His passion for acting began at an early age (in the fourth grade, when he “starred” as the first wise man in his class nativity play) and continued through high school, where he was lucky enough to attend New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. His experience at NOCCA was life changing, and he decided to make theatre his career. Since then, Gary served as Resident Director for Rivertown Repertory Theatre, Artistic Director for both Sixpence Players and the One Hour Shakespeare Company, and as a company member of the Shakespeare Festival at Tulane and The Patchwork Players. He is most proud of being one of the founding producers of FourFront Theatre, which was responsible for a number of wildly successful productions including regional premiers of Gutenberg! The Musical!, The History Boys, Altar Boyz, My First Time, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Gary's work with FourFront Theatre landed him in Gambit's acclaimed "40 Under 40" issue which "honors the community's newest generation who have achieved amazing accomplishments and make New Orleans a better place to live."
Gary served as a Senior Professor of Practice for Tulane University’s Department of Theatre and Dance for 11 years.
ABOUT THE THEATERS
Courtyard between the Mainstage and Lagniappe Theaters
Mainstage Theater
VIP Suite
Performance of Aladdin, Jr. on the Lagniappe Stage
THEATRE 13
Theatre 13 was founded in 2009 by New Orleans theatre artists Gary Rucker and Kelly Fouchi as a side project to the already successful FourFront Theatre, which they co-founded in 2008. The mission of Theatre 13 is to bring new and exciting productions to the New Orleans area while providing local theatre artists an opportunity to perform and create.
Theatre 13 will produce a wide range of professional theatrical performances, from musicals to children’s theatre to more controversial and thought-provoking works.

In 2012, the City of Kenner awarded Theatre 13 the management contract for what is now known as The Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts.