New Iberia in Iberia Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Essanee Theater
Circa 1937
The Essante Theater opened on November 25, 1937. owned by Julius Scharff and Elias Elias. The theater took its name from the first letters of their last names: S & E. Designed in the art deco style by Owen Southwell, the theater featured the latest Super Simplex projectors and RCA High Fidelity sound machines. The Essance showed its last feature film, City Limits, on November 28, 1985. In 2000, local businessman and future mayor Freddie Decourt purchased the Essanee and stabilized the building which had been Severely damaged by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. On October 31, 2001, the theater was purchased and restored by the Iberia Performing Arts League (IPAL). IPAL continues restoration of the building while it presents live performances year- round. Known locally as Broadway on the Bayou, IPAL continues New Iberia's tradition of community theater.
Théâtre Essanee
Circa 1937
Le Théâtre Essanee ouvrit ses portes le 23 Novembre 1937. Propriete de Julius Scharff et Elias Elias, le théâtre tire son nom des premieres lettres de leurs noms de famille: S & E. Conçu dans le style art déco par Owen Southwell, le cinema est équipé des derniers projecteurs Super Simplex et des machines â son haute fidelite RCA. L'essanee projeta son dernier long metrage, City Limits, le 25 Novembre 1985. en 2000, l'homme d'affaires local et futur maire Freddie Decourt acheta l'essanee et stabilisa le batiment qui avait été severement endommagé par l'ouragan Andrew en 1992. Le 81 Octobre 2001, le théâtre fut acheté et restauré par L'Iberia Performing Arts League (IPAL). IPAL poursuit la restauration du bâtiment tout en présentant des spectacles tout au long de l'année. Connu localement sous le nom de Broadway on the Bayou, l'IPAL perpétue la tradition du théâtre communautaire de la Nouvelle Ibérie.
El Teatro Essanee
Circa 1937
El Teatro Essanee se inauguro el dia es de Noviembre del año 1937. Los propietarios eran Julius Sharff y Elias Elias, y el teatro tomo su nombre de las primeras letras de sus apellidos: S & E. Diseñado en el estilo de Art Deco de Owen Southwell, el teatro presentó los últimos proyectores Super Simplex y las maquinas de sonido con alta fidelidad de RCA. El teatro essanee presento su ultima pelicula de largometraje City Limits (ciudad bin limite), el dia 28 de Noviembre de 1985. El año 2000, hombres de negocios de la localidad y el futuro alcalde de la ciudad, Freddie Decourt compraron el Teatro Essanee y estabilizaron el edificio que habia sido geriamente darado por el huracan Andrew el año 1992. El 31 de octubre del año 2001, el teatro fue comprado y restaurado por la liga de Artes Escénicos de Iberia (IPAL). IPAL continua con la restauracion del edificio, mientras que al mismo tiempo continua presentando actuaciones en vivo a lo largo de todo el año. Conocido localmente como Broadway on the Bayou, IPAL prosigue con la tradición de New Iberia del teatro de la comunidad.
Donated in honor of the founders of Ibtria Performing Arts League who formed a community theater, purchased the Essance Theater, and brought it back to its glory days
Erected 2023 by Iberia Cultural Resources Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is November 23, 1937.
Location. 30° 0.33′ N, 91° 49.145′ W. Marker is in New Iberia, Louisiana, in Iberia Parish. It is on Iberia Street north of West St. Peter Street when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 117 Iberia St, New Iberia LA 70560, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s Acadiana — Cajun Country and specifically in Bayou Country. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, Acadia, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Essanee Theater (here, next to this marker); The Gouguenheim Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Office of Rene J. Broussard, DDS (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kathleen Babineaux Blanco (about 300 feet away); Louisiana's First Black Female Physician Dr. Emma Wakefield-Paillet (about 300 feet away); The Steamboat Era (about 300 feet away); Church Alley (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Church Alley (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Iberia.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2025, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 48 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 25, 2025, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.

