Brian Egland Will Premiere Play in Lafayette
The award-winning production arrives at the Acadiana Center for the Arts from Oct. 23-25.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in African-American
Playwright Brian Egland will debut his acclaimed production, Where the Suga Still Sweet, at the Acadiana Center for the Arts starting Oct. 23, 2026. The production brings an authentic Louisiana narrative to the stage through an ensemble performance.
Why it matters
The play aims to elevate an everyday Louisiana story into an artistic and magical form, reflecting regional culture. It previously earned recognition from the National Black Theatre and the GAA Critics Choice Awards.
The production features real sugar cane within its stage set design to ground the narrative. Show times are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with a 3 p.m. performance on Sunday.
The players
Brian Egland
He is a playwright and director known for staging Louisiana-focused narratives.
Joshua Mouton
He is a performer cast in the role of Runna for the production.
The details
Director Brian Egland works with a cast of local actors, including Joshua Mouton as the character Runna, to bring the production to life. The stage design utilizes physical sugar cane to highlight the themes of the playwright's home region.
Timeline
Brian Egland staged his first play at UL in 2009.
The play won the GAA Critics Choice Award in 2023.
Egland made his directorial film debut in 2026.
The play premieres at the Acadiana Center for the Arts on Oct. 23-25, 2026.
Culture Shift
The production marks a deepening of regional storytelling in Lafayette, bridging the gap between local theater and broader artistic recognition. This project follows the success of the 2026 Louisiana Film Prize, where Egland was a top 20 finalist.
Residents can attend the performances at the Acadiana Center for the Arts during the scheduled October dates. Theater-goers should note the varying curtain times, including evening shows and a Sunday afternoon matinee.
The takeaway
The play uses authentic regional elements like sugar cane to deepen the connection between the stage and the audience. It serves as a reminder of how local histories can be transformed into award-winning artistic works.
Further reading
For more on regional cultural arts, visit the African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Advocate.
