Tom Langford, Ann Burns, and Ann Dreher Members and guests of The Columbia Drama Club gathered at 701 Whaley Street for a special celebration of the club’s 100th anniversary December 8, 2009. The evening’s events were provided by the Columbia Drama Club, Town Theatre, Workshop Theatre, The Columbia Marionette Theatre, NiA Company, and The Columbia Children’s Theatre.

The Columbia Drama Club originated in 1909 at the University of South Carolina by Professor George Armstrong Wauchope. Professor Wauchope arrived at the University at the turn of the century to teach English. Soon after coming to Columbia he began to hold play and poetry study sessions open to both his students and to the general public. These weekly meetings laid the foundation for today’s Columbia Drama Club.

In 1915 Professor Wauchope and the members of his study group formed the Columbia branch of the American Drama League. The Columbia Drama League agreed to meet every Monday of the month from October to May. Professor Wauchope was named president and W.W. Bell was elected secretary. The group read plays, brought in guest speakers, and shared a significant interest in the Modernist movement of the time.

Members of the NiA Company: (l–r) Michelle Jacobs, Jade Johnson, Heather McCue (director of NiA Company), Loretta Brown, and Darion McCloud In 1919, Daniel Reed, a recreation officer at Camp Jackson (now Fort Jackson), was invited to a meeting of The Columbia Drama League. Reed’s leadership and the Columbia Drama League’s interest in the national “Little Theatre” movement led to the founding of the Columbia Stage Society, which is the supporting organization of Columbia’s Town Theatre. The Town Theatre is currently recognized as the oldest, continuously operating theater in the United Sates and celebrated its 90th birthday this past spring.

Helen Fellers One hundred years later, The Columbia Drama Club continues to gather for the reading of plays and as a social meeting of the members of the local artistic community. The club selects the plays to be read and seeks to include new plays by local artists whenever possible. Meetings are held five times per year in members’ homes.

As its tradition holds, after 100 years, The Columbia Drama Club continues to be a forum for the celebration of Columbia’s theatrical development.
Regina Monteith, president of the Columbia Drama Club stands by Carol Baker’s historical displays of information, quotes, and costume dress from different 20 year eras.
Mary Scully and Katie Fox