Resource Information for the Charleston SC Area

CULTURE IN CHARLESTON

CHARLESTON BALLET

477 King Street Charleston SC 29403

843-723-7334

www.charlestonballet.org

20 years as a professional company,  founded in 1967 with the professional component started in 1987,  the ballet presented 14 dancers on a 26-week contract. Charleston Ballet Theatre has grown with the season beginning in September and continuing through the middle of June. Attracting exceptional performing talent to the company, CBT has also drawn some of the most notable choreographers to create works for the repertoire. CBT is the only SC Company licensed to perform the works of George Balanchine (Serenade, Allegro Brilliante, Concerto Barocco, Tarantella, Who Cares?), Jose Limon (The Moors Pavane), Salvatore Aiello (Clowns and Others, Notturno), Mark Dendy (Ballet I, Afternoon of a Fawn), Eddy Toussaint (A Simple Moment, Souvenance), David Parsons (The Envelope), and Daniel Pelzig (Nine Lives).

CHARLESTON STAGE

The Historic Dock Street Theatre 135 Church Street Charleston, SC 29401

843-577-7183

www.charlestonstage.com email@charlestonstage.com

Charleston Stage is located at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. Founded by Playwright Julian Wiles in 1978, it is South Carolina's largest professional theatre company. Charleston Stage has presented over 150 productions at the theatre and played to a collective audience of over one million strong. Charleston Stage employs 20 full-time staff members, guest artists, scores of actors, dancers, singers and musicians and TheatreWings High School Apprentices.

FOOTLIGHT PLAYERS

Footlight Players Theatre 20 Queen Street Charleston, SC 29401

843-722-4487

www.footlightplayers.net footlightplayers@aol.com

The Footlight Players have been producing plays of professional caliber on a community level since 1931. What began as a small group has become for Charleston a theatrical tradition, built with strong community support. The first plays in were produced at the Navy Yard, then various theatres in town such as the Academy of Music, replaced by the Riviera movie theatre in 1936. In 1937, by invitation of the City of Charleston, the Footlight Players opened the newly reconstructed Dock Street Theatre. In 1934, the Footlight Players purchased an old cotton warehouse (built c.1850) at 20 Queen Street with the idea of converting it to a theatre. In 1941, through the efforts of volunteer workers, the former warehouse was completely remodeled and emerged as an informal Playhouse and Workshop. All plays were presented here for the short period of 1952 - 1954. The Footlight Players secured the lease to the Dock Street Theatre in 1958 until 1986 when the company again left the Dock Street and moved back to the Workshop. Meanwhile the Workshop was used as a rehearsal hall, scenery and costume workshop and for the presentation of children's school productions.

SPOLETO FESTIVAL

From the end of May through the first week in June, Charleston hosts the Spoleto Festival bringing art and culture to the area full force featuring 17 days of opera, chamber and orchestral concerts, dance, theater productions and art. Learn about the Spoleto Festival in Charleston SC