Arts & Culture
Beyond the Footlights of Charleston Stage
Charleston Stage carries theater into the community.
Most Charlestonians know that Charleston Stage is South Carolina’s largest professional theatre company, producing nine amazing shows each season at the historic Dock Street Theatre.
What many don’t know is that Charleston Stage is a nonprofit dedicated to educating young people across the Lowcountry through the performing arts. In fact, Charleston Stage was founded by Julian Wiles in 1979 first as a youth theater, so serving young people has been at the heart of Charleston Stage’s mission for the past 46 years.
Each year, Charleston Stage serves more than 30,000 students through a variety of programs starting with one of the oldest and largest arts education programs for young people in the region.
Led by Rylee Coppel, Director of Education and Engagement and Artistic Associate, Charleston Stage’s TheatreSchool classes in West Ashley are taught by ten full-time professional actors who make up Charleston Stage’s Resident Acting Company. These professional educators guide levels kindergarten through 8th grade through the crafts of acting, vocal development, and musical theatre at grade-appropriate challenges and curricula.
For older students, Charleston Stage’s TheatreWings High School Apprentice Program is designed to allow talented young people to gain first-hand experience in theatrical production by working directly with professionals in the Dock Street Theater productions.
“TheaterWings was not just an after school program, it became a second home for me. Thanks to WINGS I am now one of the top undergraduate stage managers at Brandeis. Next year I will be the only undergraduate student stage managing a production for the Brandeis Theatre Company.”
– Alexandra Corsaro, former member
CityStage is Charleston Stage’s Community Engagement team, made up of members of the Resident Professional Acting Company. The goal is to expand the work and mission of Charleston Stage beyond the walls of the Dock Street Theatre. The CityStage Team travels throughout the Lowcountry building partnerships with schools, religious and community groups, especially underserved communities.
Out of the Box workshops are designed to engage younger students from K-8th grade. In these workshops, Charleston Stage professionals help students explore literature through creative drama, improvisation, movement, and music. Students discover how to effectively communicate ideas, emotions, and narratives while building confidence in their voices.
Last, but not least, Charleston Stage performs school day matinees for students at the Dock Street, exposing them to these wonderful productions they might not otherwise attend.
Rylee Coppel adds, “Creativity thrives in every corner of our Education program – from the rehearsal room to the classroom.”
The bottom line is that Charleston Stage provides the ultimate win-win for the community: Patrons get to experience unforgettable professional productions, and their financial support empowers the next generation of Charlestonians through disciplines in the performing arts that foster collaboration, confidence, and self-esteem.
Want to discover more local? Follow Fig Magazine on Facebook and Instagram for inspiration.
