College of Charleston Theatre and Dance

College of Charleston School of the Arts: The Artistic Heartbeat of Charleston

College of Charleston School of the Arts: The Artistic Heartbeat of Charleston Nestled in the heart of Charleston's historic district, the College of Charleston School of the Arts provides students the opportunity to study and live in a...

Simons Center Set for Multimillion-Dollar Renovoation

Simons Center Set for Multimillion-Dollar Renovoation The Albert Simons Center for the Arts, located on St. Philip Street in the heart of the College of Charleston campus, will be closed for the next two years while the 42-year-old building undergoes an extensive multimillion-dollar renovation. “This has been a long time coming and we're delighted,.....

“Woah, if I learn how to hang lights then I can get a job doing it?!?”

It’s true! And you can hang out with new lighting design faculty Lauren Duffie!

“Woah, if I learn how to hang lights then I can get a job doing it?!?”

It’s true! And you can hang out with new lighting design faculty Lauren Duffie!

Some our our faculty were spotted welcoming the CofC class of 2025 at Convocation!

Welcome new cougars!

Some our our faculty were spotted welcoming the CofC class of 2025 at Convocation!

Welcome new cougars!

THTR 321 -10601- Children’s Theatre
Need an arts humanities? Take this course and learn about theatre for all ages looking at classics like Lion King, Mulan and Charlotte’s Web. If you have been missing being a part of an in person class where you actually feel connected to your teacher and classmates then this class is for you! PJ attire and bed head welcomed.
Meets T/Th 12:15-1:30.
Contact the department for more info.

THTR 321 -10601- Children’s Theatre
Need an arts humanities? Take this course and learn about theatre for all ages looking at classics like Lion King, Mulan and Charlotte’s Web. If you have been missing being a part of an in person class where you actually feel connected to your teacher and classmates then this class is for you! PJ attire and bed head welcomed.
Meets T/Th 12:15-1:30.
Contact the department for more info.

THTR 289 02 - 13809 - Broadway Ensemble (1 credit)
Love musical theatre? Then join this class of fellow “Musical Theatre-arians” no matter what your skill set and experience is! Never sung or acted in public? No problem. …Or have you been the lead role in a musical many, many times? This class is also for you and everyone in between! We will share a performance with family and friends in early December. This class meets in person on Wednesdays 3:15 to 5:15. Contact the department for more info.

THTR 289 02 - 13809 - Broadway Ensemble (1 credit)
Love musical theatre? Then join this class of fellow “Musical Theatre-arians” no matter what your skill set and experience is! Never sung or acted in public? No problem. …Or have you been the lead role in a musical many, many times? This class is also for you and everyone in between! We will share a performance with family and friends in early December. This class meets in person on Wednesdays 3:15 to 5:15. Contact the department for more info.

We are thrilled to be welcoming Gary DeWitt Marshall to the department!

Gary has enjoyed a fruitful career in TV, the Silver Screen & Broadway. On Television Mr. Marshall’s guest star appearances include: Detective John Smollers - Life on Mars, Coach G -Southland (Regina King), Ray Bennett - Without A Trace (Enrique Murciano), Benson - New York Undercover (Malik Yoba), N.E.S.T Tech Morris - 24 ( Keifer Sutherland), Pete Perkins - ER ( John Leguizamo), Tony - Matt Waters (Montel Williams), Blount - Angel
Street (Robin Givens) Mr. Park - Gemini Man, Chad - Unsolved Mysteries. Feature films: The Hurricane (Denzel Washington), Renaissance Man (Danny Devito), In & Out” (Kevin Kline), New Jersey Drive (Heavy D) Love Walked In (Dennis Leary) “Still Water”
Game Day (Sticky Fingaz). Gary’s commercial endorsements include: AT&T, Midas Mufflers, Hallmark Greeting Cards, Kay Jewelers, Remy Martin, Budweiser, Miller Lite, Land Rover, Comcast Xfinity, Pace Picante Sauce.

In Theatre Marshall originated the role(s) of freedom fighter Michael Dube in the Tony Award nominated stage drama The Song of Jacob Zulu (Zakes Mokae), and Soldier Telfair in The Stone Mason (Viola Davis). Marshall’s critically acclaimed work as a director has been recognized by the Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS): Detroit ’67 (Outstanding Ensemble), For Men On A Couch (Outstanding Performance), Smudge Stick Experience
(Outstanding Direction), Twelve Dollars (Outstanding Direction). You Shouldn’t Have Told (Excellence in Ensemble).

We are thrilled to be welcoming Gary DeWitt Marshall to the department!

Gary has enjoyed a fruitful career in TV, the Silver Screen & Broadway. On Television Mr. Marshall’s guest star appearances include: Detective John Smollers - Life on Mars, Coach G -Southland (Regina King), Ray Bennett - Without A Trace (Enrique Murciano), Benson - New York Undercover (Malik Yoba), N.E.S.T Tech Morris - 24 ( Keifer Sutherland), Pete Perkins - ER ( John Leguizamo), Tony - Matt Waters (Montel Williams), Blount - Angel
Street (Robin Givens) Mr. Park - Gemini Man, Chad - Unsolved Mysteries. Feature films: The Hurricane (Denzel Washington), Renaissance Man (Danny Devito), In & Out” (Kevin Kline), New Jersey Drive (Heavy D) Love Walked In (Dennis Leary) “Still Water”
Game Day (Sticky Fingaz). Gary’s commercial endorsements include: AT&T, Midas Mufflers, Hallmark Greeting Cards, Kay Jewelers, Remy Martin, Budweiser, Miller Lite, Land Rover, Comcast Xfinity, Pace Picante Sauce.

In Theatre Marshall originated the role(s) of freedom fighter Michael Dube in the Tony Award nominated stage drama The Song of Jacob Zulu (Zakes Mokae), and Soldier Telfair in The Stone Mason (Viola Davis). Marshall’s critically acclaimed work as a director has been recognized by the Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS): Detroit ’67 (Outstanding Ensemble), For Men On A Couch (Outstanding Performance), Smudge Stick Experience
(Outstanding Direction), Twelve Dollars (Outstanding Direction). You Shouldn’t Have Told (Excellence in Ensemble).

Welcome to our new Assistant Professor of Lighting Design Lauren Duffie! To learn more about Lauren, please see link in bio.

Welcome to our new Assistant Professor of Lighting Design Lauren Duffie! To learn more about Lauren, please see link in bio.

Welcome to our new Assistant Professor of Lighting Design Lauren Duffie! Lauren began designing in London (King’s Head Theatre, Etcetera Theatre, British MTV, Edinburg Festival) before moving to NYC in 1999. Broadway credits include The Downtown Messiah (WFC Winter Garden), Round About (Lynch Theatre in association with Lincoln Center). Off-Broadway and notable NYC favorites include Navigator in Love, A Toy Gun (Red Lab), Beef (SLANT Theatre Project); In the Room (Wheelhouse Theatre, 5 NYIT nominations), Summer and Smoke (ALD, Transport Group / Classic Stage), The Blue Carbuncle, Gift of the Magi (Stage M12); Reparations (Producer’s Club), Project: Ground Control (BAM-Brooklyn), Ballet Folklorico (Abrons Art Center) among many others.

Lauren has lit dozens of rock shows with musicians such as Billy Idol, Herbie Hancock, Nickel Creek, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Christopher O’Riley, David Johansen (New York Dolls), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Magnetic Fields, and Keith Urban. She has held design residencies at the late Bottom Line Cabaret (NYC), Etcetera Theatre (London), JENA Company (NYC), and PURE Theatre (Charleston, SC). She has worked extensively for Encore National Tours, the Classical Theatre of Harlem, The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine (NYC), New York City Fashion Week, CBGB, British MTV, VH1, CMT, Piccolo Spoleto Festival, and Kevin Bacon.

To learn more about Lauren and see some of her work, please visit her website at: https://laurenduffie.com

Welcome to our new Assistant Professor of Lighting Design Lauren Duffie! Lauren began designing in London (King’s Head Theatre, Etcetera Theatre, British MTV, Edinburg Festival) before moving to NYC in 1999. Broadway credits include The Downtown Messiah (WFC Winter Garden), Round About (Lynch Theatre in association with Lincoln Center). Off-Broadway and notable NYC favorites include Navigator in Love, A Toy Gun (Red Lab), Beef (SLANT Theatre Project); In the Room (Wheelhouse Theatre, 5 NYIT nominations), Summer and Smoke (ALD, Transport Group / Classic Stage), The Blue Carbuncle, Gift of the Magi (Stage M12); Reparations (Producer’s Club), Project: Ground Control (BAM-Brooklyn), Ballet Folklorico (Abrons Art Center) among many others.

Lauren has lit dozens of rock shows with musicians such as Billy Idol, Herbie Hancock, Nickel Creek, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Christopher O’Riley, David Johansen (New York Dolls), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Magnetic Fields, and Keith Urban. She has held design residencies at the late Bottom Line Cabaret (NYC), Etcetera Theatre (London), JENA Company (NYC), and PURE Theatre (Charleston, SC). She has worked extensively for Encore National Tours, the Classical Theatre of Harlem, The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine (NYC), New York City Fashion Week, CBGB, British MTV, VH1, CMT, Piccolo Spoleto Festival, and Kevin Bacon.

To learn more about Lauren and see some of her work, please visit her website at: https://laurenduffie.com

Welcome to Nakeisha Daniel! Our new Assistant Professor of African American Theatre and Performance.

Nakeisha Daniel is a professional actress + director + choreographer + educator who has been seen on national and international stages and screen. Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, her love of theater sparked at an early age eventually leading her to earn a BFA in Musical Theater, an MFA in Acting from Penn State University, and to further her studies in London and Canada. She was honored to serve as the first ever Guest Artist in Residence at the Citadel Military College of South Carolina and is a 2018 Eugene O’Neill Theater Center Cabaret and Performance Fellow.

As an arts education advocate, Nakeisha’s mission is to transform student learning and to support educators through arts integration. She has partnered with a variety of organizations including; The Alliance Theater Center, The Children’s Arts Guild (NYC), TYA USA, Charleston Gaillard Center, Engaging Creative Minds, and presented at SXSW ED Virtual Conference. Nakeisha believes it is a privilege to cultivate creativity in others.

Welcome to Nakeisha Daniel! Our new Assistant Professor of African American Theatre and Performance.

Nakeisha Daniel is a professional actress + director + choreographer + educator who has been seen on national and international stages and screen. Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, her love of theater sparked at an early age eventually leading her to earn a BFA in Musical Theater, an MFA in Acting from Penn State University, and to further her studies in London and Canada. She was honored to serve as the first ever Guest Artist in Residence at the Citadel Military College of South Carolina and is a 2018 Eugene O’Neill Theater Center Cabaret and Performance Fellow.

As an arts education advocate, Nakeisha’s mission is to transform student learning and to support educators through arts integration. She has partnered with a variety of organizations including; The Alliance Theater Center, The Children’s Arts Guild (NYC), TYA USA, Charleston Gaillard Center, Engaging Creative Minds, and presented at SXSW ED Virtual Conference. Nakeisha believes it is a privilege to cultivate creativity in others.

Summer Research Grants Give Students Deeper Academic Experiences

Theatre major Mary Hope Ballou is working under the guidance of mentor and instructor Jason Lyons on an exciting project for the musical Rock of Ages.

Summer Research Grants Give Students Deeper Academic Experiences While the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) Program funds projects year-round, its marquee event is its Summer Undergraduate Research with Faculty (SURF) grants, which seeks to reward cutting edge, well designed projects. “The process is very competitive,” says Charlie Calver...

Happy Pride Month! (picture credit @college of Charleston)

#collegeofcharleston #pridemonth #loveisloveislove #theatre #dance

Happy Pride Month! (picture credit @college of Charleston)

#collegeofcharleston #pridemonth #loveisloveislove #theatre #dance

The Department of Theatre & Dance congratulates Senior Instructor, Brent Laing, on his retirement from the College after over 30 years of teaching and service at CofC. Brent is an alum of the College who graduated in 1984 and then became involved as a guest director in 1988. He began teaching in 1990 and has inspired countless students to get involved in theatre both onstage and off, as well as encouraging students to be life-long arts advocates. He acted on stage with the students, directed productions, built scenery and more for many productions over the years. Brent has always been one of the first to jump in and help with anything needed in the department and has been a constant supporter of the students and their work throughout the years. He never missed a show in the main season or the student run theatre organization, Center Stage, because his focus has always been on the students - building them up, challenging them and supporting their journey in the department. Chair of Theatre and Dance, Janine McCabe, said, “I am not quite sure what we are going to do without Brent. He has brought humor, love and passion to teaching theatre and all we do in the department…it will be a different place without him.”
Congratulations Brent on your retirement and next steps…you have certainly helped and inspired so many people along their journey!

The Department of Theatre & Dance congratulates Senior Instructor, Brent Laing, on his retirement from the College after over 30 years of teaching and service at CofC. Brent is an alum of the College who graduated in 1984 and then became involved as a guest director in 1988. He began teaching in 1990 and has inspired countless students to get involved in theatre both onstage and off, as well as encouraging students to be life-long arts advocates. He acted on stage with the students, directed productions, built scenery and more for many productions over the years. Brent has always been one of the first to jump in and help with anything needed in the department and has been a constant supporter of the students and their work throughout the years. He never missed a show in the main season or the student run theatre organization, Center Stage, because his focus has always been on the students - building them up, challenging them and supporting their journey in the department. Chair of Theatre and Dance, Janine McCabe, said, “I am not quite sure what we are going to do without Brent. He has brought humor, love and passion to teaching theatre and all we do in the department…it will be a different place without him.”
Congratulations Brent on your retirement and next steps…you have certainly helped and inspired so many people along their journey!

Continuing the celebration of our students, we are featuring the Department of Theatre and Dance Award and Scholarship recipients. Please join us in congratulating our incredible students! Today we feature the Emmett Robinson Scholarship recipient and the Stelle Scholarship recipient.

Continuing our celebration of students, we are featuring the Department of Theatre and Dance Award and Scholarship recipients. Please join us in congratulating our incredible students! Today we feature the Robert Ivey Endowed Scholarship in Dance and Anne Marley and Allen Lyndrup Annual Theatre Scholarship recipients.

Continuing our celebration of our students, we are featuring the Department of Theatre and Dance Award and Scholarship recipients. Please join us in congratulating our incredible students! Today we feature the Norman Seltzer Prize in Theatre recipient and the Mary Jollensten Scholarship recipient.

Continuing our celebration of our students, we are featuring the Department of Theatre and Dance Award and Scholarship recipients. Please join us in congratulating our incredible students! Today we feature the Norman Seltzer Prize in Theatre recipient and the Mary Jollensten Scholarship recipient.

Continuing our celebration of our students, we are featuring the Department of Theatre and Dance Award and Scholarship recipients. Please join us in congratulating our incredible students! Today we feature the Future Professionals in Theatre Performance, Theatre Design, and Theatre Production.