Community theatre thrives in Columbia with a pride one might feel performing on Broadway. Dedication, long hours, and talent is given freely. There’s laughter, discussions about why that’s good and why that’s not good. Energy, vitality, and animation are tantamount; a prerequisite to joining–in with these dedicated volunteers who are the backbone of the theatre. They bring together a production, a bit of magic. Actors, crew, costumers, lighting technicians, ushers, ticket takers, directors, and producers work in unison long hours after normal day jobs. To the onlooker, an energized whirl in this world. The show must go on! And indeed it does!

Each new production presents many opportunities for members of the community to involve themselves on stage or behind the scenes. Acting rehearsals, blocking, music rehearsals, choreography, light rehearsals, making, mending and fitting costumes, a change in staging, a temper tantrum, tears, laughter, and...OPENING NIGHT!

Nerves are frazzled. Make–up is touched up. The air is filled with hope — prayers not to forget lines, an eagerness to do well, and so the show begins.

It’s time for the performance. The lights don’t come up as quickly as rehearsed. A chair is in the wrong place. An actor refuses to go on. Quickly he is pushed onto the stage. Thunder and rain pour from the sky drowning out cues, confusing entrances, unsettling the audience. Then the first line bellows forth and the play begins.

Community theatre is an act of love, a social entity where players and audience bond. It is a spirit of the town. It draws people together to enjoy an evening, relax, and appreciate the effort and hard work of volunteers who give so freely with their hearts.

The applause subsides. The audience files out. The lights dim. The actors hug each other. The director breathes a sigh of relief and the evening, perhaps not perfect, gives joy and entertainment to all who participated.

The Midlands community theatres include Town Theatre, Workshop, Trustus, Chapin Theatre, Village Square, and Lexington’s Community Playhouse. Each with its own personality offering an evening for everyone.

TOWN THEATRE

THE FOREIGNER

November 5 – 20

FOREVER PLAID

January 14 – February 2

ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE

February 18 – MARCH 5

OKLAHOMA

May 6–28

WORKSHOP THEATRE

ON GOLDEN POND

November 12–21, December 2–4

TRU

December

10–12, 17–18

A LESSON BEFORE DYING

January 28–February 12

CALIFORNIA SUITE

March 18 - April 2

TRUSTUS THEATRE

(combination of Professional and

community theatre)

Parallel Lives: THE KATHY and

MO SHOW

October 20–22 (Fundraiser)

TALKING WITH

October 29–November 13

MASTER HAROLD and the BOYS

February 18–March 12

A HEART DIVIDED

April 1–April 16

PICCOLO ENTRY: YELLOWMAN

April 20–23

THE GOAT or WHO IS SYLVIA

May 13–June 4

TAKE ME OUT

June 24–July 16

HOLY GHOST

August 12–August 20

UNIVERSITY of SC

BUS STOP

November 12–21

THE ILLUSIONS

February 4–13, 2005

TRANSLATIONS

February 25–March 5

MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S

DREAM

April 13–24

THE SC SHAKESPEARE

COMPANY

MACBETH

at Finlay Park

October 22, 23

28, 29, 30

THE THREE MUSKETEERS

April 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 28

CHAPIN COMMUNITY

THEATRE

YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU

October 22, 23, 28, 29, 30

SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD

February 17, 18, 19, 24, 25,

26—March 3, 4, 5

THE RAINMAKER

May 19, 20, 21

June 2, 3, 4

June 9, 10, 11

VILLAGE SQUARE

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s

CINDERELLA

October 8–23

STAGE DOOR

January 21–30, 2005

THE APPLE TREE

April 15–30, 2005

HONK, Jr.

June, 2005