Greenwood Community Theatre

110 Main St., Greenwood, South Carolina

Websitewww.greenwoodcommunitytheatre.com

Greenwood Community Theatre, or GCT, is a non-profit theatre in Greenwood, South Carolina. Greenwood Community Theatre officially began in 1954.

GCT reopened in January 2007 after an extensive 1.2 million dollar renovation offering live theatre in the form of musicals, comedies, dramas, classic films, Indie films, music concerts, forum, debates and many rentals to local and touring organizations and businesses.

History

Support for renovations came with the city’s decision in the early 2000s to anchor its downtown revival with historic properties.

After being closed for 18 months to remodel, the theatre re-opened in February 2007 for the production Anything Goes. Renovations preserved the original terrazzo tile floor in the lobby. Improvements included seating capacity for nearly 300, better access for wheelchairs, new riggings, curtains, the addition of a catwalk, and an upgraded sound and lighting system.^[1]

Currently

GCT currently offers a 5-7 show season featuring local performers in shows ranging from classic musicals to contemporary straight plays, kids musicals and more. Most recent previous seasons at GCT have included: The Hallelujah Girls, Elf, The Boys Next Door, The Great Gatsby, Cinderella, Frozen Jr., The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Matilda Jr., Guys and Dolls, The Jungle Book KIDS, Little Shop of Horrors, and Junie B. Jones Jingle Bells Batman Smells.

Musicians and comedians that have appeared on GCT's stage

Edwin McCain, James Gregory, The Jake Bartley Band, The Swinging Medallions, The Bad Weather States, Keith Jameson, Nat Chandler, Pam Stone, and many more.

GCT's 2024 season

Tuck Everlasting (February), The Lion King Jr. (April), The Wizard of Oz (June), Clue (October-November), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. (December)

Along with its own in-house productions, GCT also hosts The Greenwood Performing Arts (GPA) with their 5–6 show season of musical acts from around the world.

GCT also hosts several local events, including Cambridge Academy's Drama Program Musical, The Lander Player's Spring Show, Make-A-Wish Concert, Emerald City Dance Explosion's Christmas Recital, Ashby Stokes Annual Christmas Concert, and many other comedy, concert or dance events.

In September of 2017, GCT produced Annie Jr. as a 'Penguin Project' Production. The Penguin Project is a fully realized and produced show starring differently-abled kids and teenager 'artists' paired with a supporting 'mentor'. The following September, GCT produced its second Penguin Project Production, with Aladdin Jr. This September, GCT will produce Winnie the Pooh KIDS.

In May of 2024, GCT collaborated with Greenwood High School to perform Newsies and Ryan Hewitt, GCT's artistic director, served as their director.

Staff

Stephen Gilbert, executive director
Angela Scott, box office manager
Ryan Hewitt, artistic director and youth & outreach director
Corey Langley, technical director

For the 6-show season, GCT employs different production members to help create the world of each show. Hewitt fills in specific roles for each production as choreographer, sometimes as director, costume, or prop designer.

Ryan Hewitt is also the resident Penguin Project coordinator and director.

Facility

The theatre auditorium is a 300-seat proscenium-style house. The seating area is raked from back to front, allowing patrons a full view of the stage from any seat in house. The stage floor is raised above the audience floor. The facility upgrades from 2007 gave the theatre a digital sound console, wireless mics capabilities, an enclosed orchestra pit with a removable top, updated lighting inventory, and many more technological upgrades.

Greenwood Children's Theatre

Greenwood Children's Theatre is a program offered by Greenwood Community Theatre that includes children's plays and musicals, workshops, and summer camps.^[1]