BACKSTAGE PASS: Welcome to Season 47: A New Beginning
Backstage Pass
10 August 2024
Welcome to Season 47: A New Beginning
A Note from Tim Rogers
As Managing Director of Charleston Stage, it is my distinct pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all of you. Whether you are a longtime supporter or a newcomer to our vibrant community, I am thrilled to have you with us as we embark on another exciting season of storytelling, creativity, and artistic excellence.
Charleston Stage has always been more than just a theater company. It is a place where stories come to life, where dreams take flight, and where our shared humanity is celebrated in all its diverse and dynamic forms. Our mission is to inspire and entertain, to challenge and provoke thought, and to foster a sense of community and connection through the power of live performance.
This season, we have curated a lineup of productions that will capture your imagination and touch your hearts. From timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces, our stage will be graced by the talents of extraordinary actors, directors, designers, and technicians, all dedicated to bringing you the very best in theatrical artistry.
We understand that the past few years have been challenging for many, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support and patronage. Your commitment to Charleston Stage has enabled us to weather the storm and emerge stronger and more resilient than ever.
As we look ahead to Season 47, I am filled with excitement and anticipation. We are eager to share with you the stories that have inspired us, to create moments of wonder and delight, and to build lasting memories together.
Thanks again for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at the theatre. Together, let us celebrate the magic of live performance and the boundless possibilities it holds. Here’s to a season filled with laughter, tears, and unforgettable moments.
Fiddler on the Roof Aug. 28-Sept. 22, 2024
39
Jan 22- Feb 9, 2025
Victorious Oct 9-27, 2024 A Christmas Carol Nov. 30-Dec. 22, 2024
Feb 26- Mar 16, 2025
Apr 9- May 4, 2025
Purlie
The
Steps
The Glass Menagerie
Legally Blonde
Spotlight Q&A: Unveiling the ShowStopping New Lighting Package
After weeks of dedicated effort this summer, we are thrilled to unveil our dazzling new lighting package at the Dock Street Theatre this season. To shed some light on what this upgrade means for you, we caught up with Charleston Stage’s Resident Lighting Designer Caleb S. Garner, for an illuminating Q & A:
Q: How will the new lighting package enhance the audience experience at the Dock Street Theatre?
A: The first thing the audience will notice are some new shapes over the seating - these are brand new Halcyon Gold moving lights They are next-generation, best in-class lights that give the Dock Street capabilities it's never had And our all-led lighting package can mix light to any color you can imagine In the past, you would get a single color per light, which really limited the choices our lighting designers could make Our new lights contain a patented mix of green, lime, blue, indigo, cyan, amber, red, and deep red LEDs to vibrantly create any color our design team could ever want
Q: What process did you undergo to install the new equipment?
A: The process started in 2021 when we first started to consider an all-led conversion for the space. Not only do the LEDs provide lots of flexibility in design, but they also have dramatic energy-saving benefits. They're much cooler than traditional incandescent lights, and they cost a fraction of the amount to run throughout the year We went through a careful selection process for the new lights with our lighting experts at Charleston Stage, Spoleto Festival USA, and several professional theatre consultants We wanted to make sure that the equipment that we purchased was rugged and functional enough for the everyday challenges of the Dock Street Every piece of our new equipment is manufactured by Electronic Theatre Controls, or ETC, an international leader in lighting technology since 1975 The new lights actually let us do more with fewer lights For example, the 44 lights we use to light our sky drop at the back of the theatre have been replaced with 12 LEDs. We used to have to need one red light, one blue light, and one green light, and one amber light every three feet across the entire width of the stage to fully light up the sky drop. Now we have one color mixing LED, called the ETC ColorSource Cyc, to replace all of those.
Q: What does this upgrade mean for Charleston Stage productions?
A: The way that we can approach the design of a show has totally changed In past seasons, we were constrained by factors like limited color choices, physical access to lights, the heat from the lights, and the power infrastructure of the theatre Our new lighting package eliminates all of these past concerns, giving us much more freedom to experiment and light each costume piece, scenic element, or group of dancers even more beautifully Our upcoming seasons will be filled with wonderful effects, vibrant colors, and enhanced storytelling as we use the newly renovated lighting rig at the Dock Street to tell our stories.
Celebrating 60 Years Celebrating 60 Years of Fiddler on the Roof: of Fiddler on the Roof: A Timeless Tale A Timeless Tale
with Marybeth Clark
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Fiddler on the Roof's groundbreaking debut on Broadway. Defying traditional notions of what a financially successful musical should be, Fiddler tackled serious themes and, in doing so, cemented its place in theatrical history. Much of its early success can be attributed to the larger-than-life performance of Zero Mostel, the original Tevye, but the musical’s enduring appeal lies in its universal themes and emotional depth.
Fiddler on the Roof, beloved by audiences around the world, is loosely based on a series of short stories by Sholem Aleichem The fictional shtetl of Anatevka, where the story unfolds, provides a historically accurate portrayal of Jewish life in Eastern Europe before the world wars Among these stories is "Tevye and His Daughters," which serves as the foundation for the musical.
At Charleston Stage, we have had the honor of producing Fiddler on the Roof twice, both times under my direction. However, it has been 16 years since our last production, leading many to wonder why we chose to bring it back this season. There are two main reasons: First, Fiddler on the Roof has consistently been a top choice in our season surveys Second, I am eager for another opportunity to direct it, believing I can bring new insights and improvements to the production
Over my 25 years with Charleston Stage, I have grown both professionally and personally. When I first joined, I had a four-year-old daughter and was expecting my second. Now, in our company's 47th season, my eldest daughter is preparing for her wedding, my youngest is in her second year at MUSC working on her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy, and my dear husband Vic and I are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. The song "Sunrise, Sunset" holds new meaning for me in this phase of life
However, my reasons for wanting to share this story are not solely nostalgic The persecution of individuals based on their beliefs and the forced displacement from their homes is not just a history lesson; it is a harsh reality witnessed daily in many parts of the world. While we at Charleston Stage are not here to make political statements, one of the great powers of theatre is its ability to bring people together to experience and reflect on stories collectively. We hope you will join us in celebrating the timeless tale of Fiddler on the Roof. Let us gather to experience its powerful story and timeless music together.
Meet Our New Development Team
Tim Rogers Managing Director
Tim oversees the company’s operations from financial management to audience development, community impact, and strategic planning with the Board.
Born in NYC, but home for the last 10 years has been (in his words), “West of the Ashley!”
Tim has a passion for theatre and relationshipbuilding along with his unmatched love of his cocker/beagle, Maddi.
Lauryn Kay Director of Development
Lauryn started with Charleston Stage in May 2023, and was recently promoted to Director of Development.
She has worked in the nonprofit sector for six years and very much enjoys impactful, mission-based work especially the arts.
“I’m so excited to connect with our supporters (that’s you!) and look forward to an exciting Season 47 ahead.”
Asso pment
Abigail m and Charles
Her previous work experience is in broadcast & print journalism
“I have already seen and experienced so much of the enthusiasm that surrounds this company and I am eagerly anticipating Season 47 ”
Katie McDaniel Summer Intern
This is Katie’s second summer as a Development Intern at Charleston Stage
She has been working on research for potential sponsorship and funding opportunities, compiling local school and media contact lists & learning more skills about grant writing
“I am a former TheaterWings student and longtime lover of Charleston Stage!”
“Theatre Company for Youth”
Charleston Stage Education Programs Continue to Grow
Expanding Our Impact: Statewide Distribution of Literacy Kits
This season marks Charleston Stage's second year of our “Out of the Box” Arts Literacy Kits project. Our literacy kits provide free lesson plans that establish an arts foundation for students who may not be exposed to arts integration in their typical curriculum. During its inaugural year, Charleston Stage distributed 242 literacy kits throughout the state of South Carolina, with a collective impact of more than 20,000 students. This growing initiative is key for meeting teachers and students where they are, breaking down barriers to arts exposure and making the arts more accessible to all. Each literacy kit contains a popular children's book, props, physical materials, and instructional video presentations that all culminate into a 2day arts integration workshop h h l d their students through an inter experience literature through a are built around ELA standards area This season, we are creat students across the State We a and patrons who are funding th reach more students across ou
2024 CityStage Tour
As summer comes to a close, this season’s CityStage Tour has officially concluded In the month of May, our 10 Resident Actors traveled to various libraries, community centers and schools all across the Lowcountry to perform Last Stop on Market Street, a musical adaptation of Matt de la Peña's acclaimed children's book The primary goal of the CityStage tour is to expand the work and mission of Charleston Stage beyond the walls of the Dock Street Theatre The CityStage Team focuses on building partnerships with schools, religious and community groups in the Charleston area, especially under-resourced communities This year, our CityStage Tour completed 23 performances of Last Stop on Market Street and traveled to 14 different locations including many Title I schools, in the span of 4 weeks, bringing live theatre to more than 4,000 students and their family members
Join the Action!
This season, Charleston Stage has so many exciting ways for you to jump in and be part of the action! Explore our Director’s Circle, discover our Corporate Circle perks, and check out our brand-new young professionals group to find the perfect opportunity for you!
The Ensemble
Networking group for young professionals
Designed to help you get to know Charleston S and engage with others who share a passion fo arts
Open for anyone 40 years and younger
Key benefits include exclusive access to event Networking Opportunities, discounted tickets, more!
Annual membership fee starts at $150
Director’s Circle
Corporate Circle
Premium tickets to Charleston Stage productions for you, your employees and clients
Advertising Opportunities for your business including a curated social media package, reaching over 40,000 patrons annually
Membership includes a tax-deductible contribution to our education programs that bring live theatre to 20,000 students throughout the Lowcountry Networking Opportunities to connect with other local businesses
(6) Special Opening Night Performances for our MainStage shows along with Receptions with passed hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and cocktails
Unique opportunities to connect with supporters who share your passion for the arts
Key benefits include exclusive access to events, prime recognition in marketing materials, VIP access to backstage tours, and more!
Season-long memberships start at $1,500
All memberships include a tax-deductible contribution towards our education programs
Thank You!
On behalf of Charleston Stage Company, we extend our deepest gratitude to our donors, patrons, and sponsors for your unwavering support and generosity. You are the cornerstone of our success, enabling us to bring the magic of theatre to life and produce captivating performances, nurture local talent, and provide educational programs that inspire and engage audiences of all ages. Your commitment not only sustains the vibrancy of our productions but also ensures that the arts remain accessible to all, fostering a culture of creativity and connection. As we reflect on the achievements of this past season, we are reminded that none of it would be possible without your support You have allowed us to dream bigger, innovate boldly, and continue our mission of enriching lives through the transformative power of theatre.
As we look ahead, we are excited about the future and the stories we will tell together. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in Charleston Stage and for being an integral part of our artistic family. We look forward to sharing many more memorable moments with you, both on and off the stage, as we continue to celebrate the arts and build a thriving cultural legacy.
