Camel’s Backstage Dance Studio: Celebrating over 40 years of dance!

Join our studio and help us celebrate forty-four years of dance education on Main Street in Kaplan, Louisiana!

Camel’s Backstage Studio in Kaplan, Louisiana opened its doors in 1978 under owners and instructors Renee Camel and Simone Camel. Betty and Penny Miller with Miller's School of Dance in Abbeville and Mary Dee Doucet of Doucet Dance Studio were instrumental in training, teaching and preparing their former students to open this business. The Camel’s Backstage Studio faculty and students held its first dance recital in 1979. The location of Camel’s Backstage Studio has changed over the years but always remained on Cushing Avenue (Main Street) in Kaplan. Many fond memories were formed, in the beginning days, in the rear of the Kaplan Herald building. As the former law office of Attorney and Judge Ned Doucet, many students may recall that the dance instructors were always careful not to play the dance music too loud not to disturb Judge Doucet's law clients. The second location of Camel's Backstage Studio was a two-story building owned by Judge Kaliste Saloom Jr. on Cushing Avenue. Classes were held both upstairs and downstairs with a rear entrance in the alleyway. For a few years, additional locations were opened in the nearby towns of Delcambre and Gueydan.

Our current location is located on Main Street, Cushing Avenue, across from Rene Rost Middle School with a traffic flow from the rear of building. All three main studio locations were rear entry for students and staff. However, the rear entry of all locations is not the reason for the business' name and logo: Camel’s Backstage Studio. The name and logo of the studio was an inspiration following a trip to New York City for a dance convention with former instructor Mary Dee Doucet and a group of dancers. The memorable dance convention trip is not easily forgotten because the dance group experienced the New York City Blackout of 1977 while there in person. The inspiration for the future dance studio name and logo was also attained. A New York City local piano bar that was visited had a logo that would be the main inspiration for the name of the future dance school in Kaplan, Louisiana - owned by two girls raised in Acadiana. The piano bar business card logo had a beautiful set of stage lights and the name “Backstage” written in the perfect font. A business card from this piano bar that was frequented by famous movie stars traveled to Louisiana after this trip and the rest is history!

Kaplan and the surrounding communities have been very supportive of Camel’s Backstage Studio. Family, friends, students, and parents have all supported this dream for many years. We are so very grateful for the memories along the way. Let's keep on dancing!