By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

NEW ORLEANS – The title of the latest offering at the French Quarter’s Le Petit Theatre, “13,” is rife with meaning.

Centering on a Jewish youth, the number signifies the age at which Jewish males have their bar mitzvah, the party signaling the entrance into adulthood. There are also 13 members of the all-youth cast. Lastly, for many 13 is the number considered most unlucky.

But for Dillon Tauzin, a sophomore at Hahnville High School, 13 just might be the luckiest number of all.

Tauzin has been a member of the talented theater program since he was in fifth grade, but he said his true passion for acting began a few years later.

In an eighth-grade class, Tauzin performed a monologue, and it was during this performance he first totally threw himself into a character.

“It was a great feeling,” he said. “I love that feeling more than anything.”

Since then he’s had a number of lead role in school productions, and last summer he was part of the Jefferson Performing Arts Society’s production of “High School Musical.” While with that production, Tauzin heard about the opportunity at Le Petit.

Although “13” is sometimes compared to “High School Musical,” in truth it has more heart and probably resonates a bit more with today’s teens.

The show has more in common with shows like “Grease” than the slick Disney productions.

This was not the only difference Tauzin had to get used to. According to the 15-year-old, the sense of professionalism surrounding his latest show is unlike anything he ever experienced before.

“’High School Musical’ was a good introduction. It’s a completely new level,” he said, adding, “This was the most legit audition process I’ve ever gone through.”

The rehearsals for “13” were also the most rigorous he has had to endure. Since the beginning of January, the cast has rehearsed every day but Sunday. But the process all came together on opening night. “It definitely had the most energy,” he noted.

Tauzin plans to continue acting through college and hopes to make a career of it someday.

“That would be the dream,” he said.

He added he is lucky his parents, Natalie and Dennis Tauzin, have been very supportive of his dreams and ambitions.

And although he is looking forward to having a little free time once the show is over, Tauzin will likely never forget this experience. “I’m grateful for the opportunity,” he said.

“13” plays at Le Petit Theatre Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through March 21.

For tickets or more information visit www. LePetitTheatre.com or call 504-522-2081.