After the Storm

After Hurricane Katrina tore through the American South in 2005, people from all across the United States were eager to help, especially those in the creative community, who felt a special kinship to New Orleans, long regarded as a home to musicians and artists. Three veteran artists of the Broadway stage -- actor and writer James Lecesne, choreographer and actor Gerry McIntyre and musical director Randy Redd -- came up with a novel idea to generate both money and support for hurricane relief in New Orleans. They came to Louisiana to stage a new production of the musical +Once On This Island, which they would cast with local talent. Thirteen high school students, most of whom had lost homes and family members in the hurricane, were selected to appear in the play, and filmmaker Hilla Medalia captured the auditions, rehearsals and final show on film for the documentary After The Storm, which focuses on both the practical and the spiritual side of the long process of recovery from Katrina's impact. After The Storm received its world premiere at the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival.