We are proud to be celebrating our 20th Season. The Arts Center has grown to provide so much more to the greater community and its visitors than simply excellent theater.
True, we have produced Broadway-caliber musical theater and drama productions that seem to get better every year but in addition, we have presented major musical artists like Ben Vereen, Bernadette Peters, Arlo Guthrie, Branford Marsalis, Dionne Warwick, Natalie Cole, Dave Brubeck, Judy Colins, Ramsey Lewis and so many more. Coming up on April 5, we’ll have 22-time Grammy award winner Chick Corea added to that illustrious list.
Every year, the Arts Center has brought stunning and acclaimed dance companies to our stage as well, from classical ballet to innovative modern dance. We have hosted world-class companies like Martha Graham Dance Company, Hubbard Street, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Parsons Dance, American Ballet Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Alvin Ailey II, Paul Taylor 2 and Momix.
Comedy groups like The Second City and Capitol Steps as well humorists like Spalding Gray, along with youth presenters, international artists, and world music are all a part of what the Arts Center has brought to the Lowcountry.
Three free community festivals have become a tradition over the years at the Arts Center: the annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting in November, the Taste of Gullah festival in February and the Youth Arts Festival in March.
“In addition to our Arts Center on stage offerings, we are proud of our outreach, educational programs, and visual arts,” said Kathleen P. Bateson, President/CEO of the Arts Center. “We provide exceptional educational events and workshops, including summer camps for youth, school field trips and special performances that reach audiences who may otherwise not get to experience the thrill of live theater and dance performances.”
The toast to the 20th Season began with Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, a nod to the Arts Center’s first non-musical in 1996. And the spectacular 20th Anniversary Wine Auction Gala on March 19, held on the Arts Center grounds, will be a festive celebration of two decades of the organization.