Q: Where did you grow up? Were there any activities you did as a child that led to your passion for the arts?

A: I grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and was always involved in the arts trying everything from visual arts, playing musical instruments to dancing and even figure skating. My family made sure I had a wonderful arts education and a strong appreciation for fine and performing arts. My mother is an elementary school art teacher so I always loved working alongside her and still enjoy visiting her classroom. Because of this I specifically loved visual arts and took classes at the Sawtooth School for Visual Arts in Winston. I took classes in traditional painting and drawing but also loved exploring new techniques like weaving and fiber arts. I fell in love with working in both 2D and 3D techniques. Building costumes allows me to do both every day!

Q: Where did you receive training? How did this prepare you for your work in the theatre world?

A: I received my undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University in the College of Design. My degree was more focused on fiber arts and fashion. I was able to explore everything from weaving, clothing construction, and digital print design. While at NC State I had the opportunity to work at the University Theatre as a stitcher in the costume shop. I fell in love with the costume shop and creating costumes for the productions. Working at my first costume shop helped me to understand that I could make a career out of costume design and construction. I decided to switch my focus and apply for graduate school at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) in order to get the proper training I needed to work in the theatre industry. UNCSA is a rigorous conservatory style program where I was able to work on over 30 productions a year. My graduate degree from UNCSA is a Master of Fine Arts in Costume Technology with a concentration in Costume Shop. This training directly prepared me to begin my position here at Charleston Stage as the Costume Shop Manager.

Q: Briefly describe your position at Charleston Stage and what you do for the company.

A: As the Costume Shop Manager, I oversee all of the costumes, wigs, and makeup we create for the productions at Charleston Stage Company. I keep the daily shop operations running smoothly and oversee the scheduling and builds for each show. I do a lot of scheduling and paperwork but I also get to run and assist fittings with actors and assist our Costume Designer in constructing and altering costumes for each show.

Q: Where have you worked previously?

A: While I was in graduate school, I worked at Williamstown Theatre Festival, a resident summer theatre festival in Williamstown, MA. I had the opportunity to work in the costume shop as a stitcher, altering and constructing costumes for all of the Summer productions. Many of our costumes were designed by Broadway costume designers giving me the chance to work with renowned artists like Gregg Barnes, Ann Hould-Ward, and Paloma Young.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: Since I just moved to Charleston a few months ago I have been spending a lot of my free time exploring the city. Living downtown has allowed me to walk or ride my bike around, getting to experience Charleston in a totally different way. I love wandering down new streets and alleys, finding new gardens, and appreciating the traditional architecture. I always find myself thinking how lucky I am to live and work in such a beautiful city!

 

 

 

 

Laura Hewitt was a great philanthropist and ardent advocate of the Charleston arts and food industries and, in many ways, these industries came of age in the past decade, in no small part due to Laura’s leadership.

Laura served on Charleston Stage’s Board from 1995-2001 taking on many leadership roles including Board President and Vice President.  She was instrumental in establishing the Company’s Annual Gala and under her leadership the company established its Professional Resident Acting Program.  Today, more than 83 young professionals have been a part of this program, lighting up the Dock Street Stage and enriching arts education for more than 150,000 young people throughout our community.

This year’s recipient of The Laura Hewitt Distinguished Service Award was awarded to Dave Marley, Charleston Stage’s Board of Trustees Treasurer.  Dave is a Senior Vice President and Senior Private Banker for the Wells Fargo Private Bank.  Dave earned his Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Finance and Management from The University of South Carolina.  He is also a graduate of the Graduate School of Bank Management at The University of Virginia through the Consumer Bankers Association and the Certified Financial Planner program at the College of Charleston.

Dave resides in Mount Pleasant with his wife Tracy.  They have a son who is a graduate of The University of South Carolina and also lives in Mount Pleasant, and a daughter who is a Senior at The University of South Carolina.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guest Actor Jordan Barrow, who recently starred as Seaweed in our season opener Hairspray, is making his Broadway debut!  Jordan will star alongside Tony Award-winner Victoria Clark, Tony Award-nominee Montego Glover and Tony Award-winner Judy Kaye in Garth Dravinski’s new musical Sousatzka. Preview performances will begin in late February of 2017 at Toronto’s historic Elgin Theatre.

Based on the original novel Madame Sousatzka by Bernice Rubens, Sousatzka, set in London, England in 1982, tells the story of a young musical prodigy torn between two powerful women from vastly different worlds:  his mother, a political refugee and his piano teacher, a brilliant eccentric with a shattered past. These two proud, iconoclastic women must ultimately cross cultural and racial divides to find common ground or else put the boy’s destiny in jeopardy.

For more information on Sousatzka visit SousatzkaMusical.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charleston Stage Founder and Producing Artistic Director Julian Wiles’s original play The Seat of Justice, which played to sold-out houses last February, will be published later this year by Dramatic Publishing.  The Seat of Justice and Wiles’s other eight original plays are now available to other theatres around the country for production.  These include:  Nevermore, Blitzen, a boy and his piano, Fruitcakes, Helium, Inga Binga and Night of the Pteradactyls.

“I’m especially excited to learn that this amazing and often forgotten story from South Carolina and American history,” say Wiles, “will now be told at other theatres around the country.  This is a testament not only to my play but to the courageous citizens of Clarendon County that set in motion the wheels of justice that would lead to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court Decision.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five Time Tony Award-Winning Runaway Broadway Hit “Peter and the Starcatcher” Opens February 17th at the Historic Dock Street Theatre

 

“It’s pure theatrical fireworks,” says Charleston Stage Producing Director Julian Wiles who, as director, is at the helm of the five time Tony Award-winning, comic adventure.  “Peter and the Starcatcher is one of the most imaginative shows to light up the Great White Way in many years-taking Broadway by storm and lighting up theatres all across the country ever since. This is one of the cleverest and surprising scripts I’ve ever come across.  I saw the original production in New York and couldn’t wait to bring it here to the Dock Street Theatre for its Lowcountry Premiere.”

With the swashbuckling wit of Pirates of the Caribbean and the zaniness of Monty Python, Peter and the Starcatcher tells the story of an orphan boy who sets sail on the adventure that will lead him to Neverland, introduce him to a pirate that will become Captain Hook and where he discovers the magic that will let him fly.

“Actually, its so imaginative”, says Wiles, “that it’s almost beyond description”.  With its inventive staging (think of our recent production of The 39 Steps) Peter and the Starcatcher is the perfect show for everyone who enjoys a sidesplitting and off-the-wall comedy – whether you’re looking for a family friendly show, the perfect outing for a date night or just a thoroughly delightful night at the theatre.  Peter and the Starcatcher is for everyone.

Adapted from the bestselling adventure novel by humorist Dave Barry and his friend Ridley Pearson, Peter and the Starcatcher features two sailing ships, a crew of motley pirates, a flying cat, a desert island, mesmerizing mermaids and two treasure chests including one filled with glowing magical stuff called “starstuff”.

Peter and the Starcatcher features an all-star professional cast including Charleston Stage Acting Company Member Brian Porter as Black Stache (aka Captain Hook).  You may remember Porter from performances such as Roger De Bris in The Producers, Tony Whitcomb in Shear Madness and as the Emcee in Cabaret.  Charleston Stage Acting Company Member John Black plays Peter and Charleston Stage Resident Professional Acting Company member Madeline Glenn Thomas plays Molly, his love interest.  The remaining cast of 11 features additional members of Charleston Stage’s Resident Professional Acting Company and some of Charleston’s most noted performers, playing dozens of roles ranging from orphans, to sailors, to pirates, a tribe of Sea Island natives called the Mollusks, a giant crocodile Named Big Grin, a school of bearded Mermaids and more.  This motley crew includes:  Sean Michael Kelly (Prentiss), Pen Chance (Ted), Atam Woodruff (Smee), David Loar (Lord Leonard Aster), Matthew Willingham (Mrs. Brumbake/Teacher), William Rutkowski (Captain Robert Falcon Scott), Ryan Pixler (Grempkin/Fighting Prawn), Timothy Shaw (Bill Slank/Hawking Clam), Derek T. Pickens (Alf), Alex Garcia (Sanchez/Mack) and Luke Shaw (Ensemble).

 

About the Authors

Rick Elice, Tony Award-winning playwright, is currently one of the theatre world’s bright stars as the playwright for Peter and the Starcatcher (2004) and the book writer for the musicals Jersey Boys and The Addams Family.  He says he started attending the theatre when he was just three years old when his mother took him to see My Fair Lady, and he became hooked on the magic of theatre.

Dave Barry is a Pulitzer Prize-winning, nationally syndicated columnist and author of more than two dozen books, most recently I’ll Mature When I’m Dead.  Along with Ridley Pearson, he is the co-author of a whole series of Starcatcher young adult novels:  Peter and the Starcatcher, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, Peter and the Sword of Mercy and Science Fair. Their newest collaboration is The Bridge to Never Land.

Ridley Pearson, co-author of Peter and the Starcatcher with Dave Barry, is the award-winning author of the Kingdom Keepers series. He is the recipient of the Raymond Chandler/Fulbright Fellowship in Detective Fiction at Oxford University.  Ridley has also written more than twenty-five best-selling crime novels.

 

 

“Dracula: King of Vampires” Rekindles the Classic Horror Story at Dock Street Theatre

October 26, 2016

 

By Mark A. Leon / Edited by Minta Pavliscsak

The Prince of Darkness rises from the crypt to haunt Charleston in the Charleston Stage dramatic production of “Dracula: King of Vampires” playing October 19 – November 6 at the Historic Dock Street Theatre.

Blending the power of persuasion, deep symbolism, the essence of good vs. evil, and a hint of well-positioned comic relief, “Dracula” dishes up a stew of spooky and potent Halloween entertainment.

The dark mystique of Transylvania and the backdrop of Historic 19^th Century England come alive with exquisite costume designs, precision use of shadows and well performed British accents.  This production takes you into the heart of the world of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” leaving behind a trail of blood as we follow the mission of a madman.

The set designers use of cryptic furniture, the illusion of a levitating castle door, shadows and sound effects to create a haunting Transylvania castle add a dark foggy aura.  They successfully transformed the stage to intimate settings in Transylvania and England.

The use of symbolism plays a critical role in “Dracula”.  They are highlighted by a quintessential masquerade scene with a wolf, sheep and Bo Peep, Anarchy symbol atop the shipwrecked boat, office desk laden in faces of undead babies and poisonous spiders, crypt below the Abbey home dimly lit by deep purple and red hues.  These carefully positioned props and colors schemes hypnotize the audience luring them deeper into the play.

The role of Count Dracula is played by resident actor Alex Garcia.  His quest for eternal life and world domination drive him to disturbing acts.  Yet, it is the dangerous emotional weapon of love that causes him to trip up making careless mistakes along his conquest.

Aside from his mischievous accent and devilish grin, Count Dracula provides us with a surprising element of humor.  Within the many dark scenes, he brings a break in the drama with playful facial expressions and well-timed lines.  This bit of comedic interruption was perhaps the most surprising element of the performance.

Madeline Glenn Thomas with her mesmerizing eyes, dimples and innocent charm played the role of Mina, the heroin, so beautifully. Her signs of strength and moments of uncompromising weakness showed her range so well.

Insanity is a mental condition that causes a deranged state of mind and a very important part of the plot line.  Nathan Burke, as Renfield, digs deep within his acting range to take on this role.  He was a shining star performing his role as the sailor exposed to the monster and transforming to a person unrecognizable to himself.  It is truly a memorable piece of acting fueled by fear, madness and devotion and one that derives empathy from the audience.

Pen Chance as Dr. Quincy Seward consistently showcases his talents throughout the entire production, sharing the stage with each member of the ensemble cast.  In every scene, he was comfortable being the focal point or the supporting player contributing a level of rationality in a world of insanity.

The story and characters build to a violent and powerful conclusion with magic, theatrics and cast members donning the aisles with black sheets, demonic staffs and lace.

The aura of the classic horror tale Dracula is re-created with passion and heart in the new Charleston Stage adaptation of “Dracula: King of Vampires” now playing at the Dock Street Theatre.

Performances continue running Oct. 27 – Nov. 6 at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. Ticket sales available online by clicking here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our friends at Cannon Park Dental are graciously helping us for our up and coming production of “Dracula, King of Vampires”. Today, Charleston Stage Professional Resident Actor Alex Garcia visited Dr. Jay Myers to have negative molds made of his teeth and bite pattern. Dr. Myers will then create fangs that can snap onto Alex’s teeth for the run of our production. Alex is playing the lead role of Count Dracula in Charleston Stage’s “Dracula, King of Vampires” which plays Oct. 19 – Nov. 6 at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. We can’t wait to see the finished product and are very excited for this collaboration with a local dental office!

 

 

For more information about “Dracula, King of Vampires” or to purchase tickets, visit our show page by clicking here. Tickets go on sale Sept. 26th!

For more information about Cannon Park Dental, visit www.cannonparkdental.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Before Charleston Stage goes into rehearsals and begins building a set for a particular production, our tech and design staff will create set models that are used to not only show our directors and cast what the set will look like and the concept for each show but to also gain an overall sense of spacing as the director and choreographer begin working with the cast at our Mt. Pleasant rehearsal studio before moving to the theatre.

Featured below are a few of the set models for our up coming production of “Hairspray” which opens next Wednesday, Sept. 7, at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. This week our tech staff loaded in the actual set pieces at the Dock and many colorful photos of the set and cast on stage will be coming soon. Stay tuned for photos being posted early next week!

For more show information or to purchase tickets to “Hairspray”, click here.

 

Recently, Charleston Stage’s Production Stage Manager Ashley Palmer and Charleston Stage Resident Actor Pen Chance (now our Properties Production Assistant) held a workshop with our High School TheatreWings Apprentices on creating fake food props. They had two days of workshops at our new scene shop in West Ashley. The main focus of this prop workshop was to teach our TheatreWings Apprentices on how to create fake food props and specifically work on props for our season opening production of “Hairspray”.

Featured in the photos below is a tray of pink assorted donuts that the “Hairspray” character Edna brings on stage. The donuts are made from household socks and the icing is a combination of pink felt, glitter and paint.

Also featured, and probably the biggest prop our TheatreWings Apprentices created during the workshop, is a 4 ft hoagie sandwich. The first step was carving the bread out of foam, which Resident Actor Pen Chance tackled. While Pen worked on carving the bread, the TheatreWings Apprentices cut out and painted the meats, cheeses, tomatoes and more. Also built during the workshop was a pecan pie created from spread memory foam and an empty pie tin and other desserts such as a 3-layered strawberry fruit cream cake.

Come see the final products on stage at the Historic Dock Street Theatre! “Hairspray” performances run Sept. 7 – 25, 2016, and tickets are available by clicking here. To learn more about our High School TheatreWings Apprentice Program click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q: Where did you grow up?  Were there any activities you did as a child that led to your passion for the arts?

A: I grew up in a small town just outside of Albany, New York. During elementary, middle and high school I was involved in chorus, band and our school’s Drama Club as well as attending lots of musical theater camps.

 

Q: Where did you receive training?  How did this prepare you for your work in the theatre world?

A: I went to the University of South Carolina for my undergraduate degree in Music Education and then to Florida State University for a Master’s in Arts Administration.  I learned a lot about arts education and management from both degrees, which has really prepared me for the programs that Charleston Stage offers and working on the administrative side of things.

 

Q: Briefly describe your position at Charleston Stage and what you do for the company.

A: I am the Box Office Manager at Charleston Stage, so I handle all group and school matinee orders, as well as processing season memberships and selling single tickets. One of my biggest jobs this summer has been to try and expand our audience by reaching out to new people who may not know why Charleston Stage is so great.

 

Q: Where have you worked previously before Charleston Stage?

A: During my time at Florida State, I house managed at the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, was the Marketing Assistant at the Challenger Learning Center and assisted at both the Tallahassee Symphony and the Florida State University Orchestras.

 

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: In my spare time, I like to go to the beach, travel, run and craft.