“CHARLESTON STAGE”

September 8, 2009: Today, we were privileged to have MaryBeth Clark, the Associate Artistic Director for Charleston Stage and four of their fine new actors join us. The Charleston Stage is not only the largest live stage company in SC it also presents us the opportunity to attend great productions. This is MaryBeth’s 11th season with Charleston Stage where she’s the Director of the current production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, which opens tomorrow and runs through September 20.

The Charleston Stage, which most of us know as Dock Street Theater, presents shows to 50,000 ticket holding attendees each year. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of the value they provide to our culture and community.

In addition to producing top quality Broadway style shows (this season in the beautiful College of Charleston Sottile Theatre while the Historic Dock Street Theater is being renovated), Charleston Stage does a great deal to enhance the arts and assist children throughout the Low Country. Last year 15,000 Charleston schoolchildren were able to see their first “live show” because of Charleston Stage when members went into the classroom to perform and teach.

Like most organizations (especially art related non-profit organizations), the Charleston Stage has had to tighten its financial belt recently. This year it was necessary to cut 30% of their expenses, primarily due to a reduction in gifts and philanthropic activity and being out of the Dock Street Theatre. While they earn 47% of budget through their own activities, they still rely on donations for the remaining 53%. Because of this shortfall, some necessary cuts included: reducing staff by five and hiring just 4 new actors on a 10 month program rather than the normal six new actors.

These actors, like other staff members, don’t just perform; they work with and teach people around the Low Country about the arts and live theater. Even when the Spoleto Festival is not going on (or when a production is not underway) the staff of Charleston Stage is busy promoting the arts and helping Low Country citizens, especially schoolchildren, appreciate art. When working with groups, especially children, they teach: 1.The importance of knowing what needs to be done, 2.Knowing where you’re supposed to be and 3. Helping someone else. Staff members use these three keys from their experiences on stage to teach life lessons.

The four actors, James Lombardino, Priya Paranthaman, Christopher Diaz and Justin Tyler Lewis, accompanying MaryBeth shared with us a sampling of songs from the upcoming productions of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “Evita”, “Blithe Spirit” and “Ferdinand the Bull”. These wonderful samplings left us eager for the live productions! For more information about their productions, the dates of presentations and tickets go to, www.charlestonstage.com.

Submitted by Wayne Outlaw, Keyway Committee

Reported by Wayne Outlaw, Keyway Committee