League of Charleston Theatres is alive and well

In Charleston, there is always a story to tell.

From the storied 78-year-history of the Footlight Players to today's League of Charleston Theatres, there's always been a cast and crew to narrate the histories, triumphs and struggles of those unknown and those we know all too well.

Most recently, the story of the league has earned the most attention.

Formed in 2005, the league, or Theatre Charleston, has brought together 11 companies and more than 120 individual members. Once singular players on the Lowcountry's stage, they are now players in a joint production effort to make the local industry as strong and entertaining as it can be.

"We have a wide variety of theater here, and nearly every genre of theater is produced throughout the year," said Emily Wilhoit, executive director of the league.

"Fantastic live theater exists right here in Charleston," she continued. "We have something for everyone. From musicals, to dramas, to children's theater, we have something you'll love. Plus, the theater community really is a wonderful family. We work our butts off to produce the best theater we can create, and we do it here in Charleston because we love it here."

The league aims to support, advocate and promote the industry not only locally, but nationally. Its mission is to promote awareness and visibility for live theater, as well as serve as a forum to address common concerns among members and allow for collective action.

Local theaters face a multitude of challenges, from apathy and dwindling funds to even just finding a place to perform.

"We can do so much more if we work together!" said Wilhoit.

"Take marketing, for example, the league can buy one ad in a travel magazine and promote 11 theaters and their productions all at once, whereas without a league, each theater is left on their own to market to tourists, an impossible task with most of their budgets."

She explains that further efforts include cross promotion among theaters, working together to make changes to the community, the annual Charleston Free Night of Theatre (a national program created by Theatre Communications Group), discount ticketing, possible joint ticketing, and costume, prop and venue sharing.

"Live theater is and has always been in competition with new forms of media. If a young adult has been brought up on TV and movies and has never been introduced to the idea of live theater as an entertainment option, it's difficult to get them in the door that first time," said Wilhoit.

"However, once they do, most people see how wonderful the experience of live theater is and tend to come back for more. It's such a special form of entertainment. You're connecting and learning from real people in real time. There's a connection to the story and themes of the show that doesn't happen anywhere else.

"We work to combat these challenges by finding new ways to get new people into the theater. Each year, we host Charleston's Free Night of Theatre to encourage community members to try live theater, completely free of charge."

One more important venture is the league's Unified Auditions. The second annual auditions that wrapped up last month provide an opportunity for actors in town to been seen by all member theaters at once.

"It balances out the competition and gives everyone an equal opportunity in an extremely professional setting. The auditions also help the theaters ensure they are using the very best talent in town for each of their shows," said Wilhoit.

Helping her support the league are current board members President Keely Enright of the Village Playhouse and Repertory Co., Vice President Sheri Grace Wenger of Midtown Productions, Treasurer Jocelyn Edwards of Footlight Players and Secretary Bill Schlitt of Company Company. She also works closely with the Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs as well as individual artist members.

The popular "league nights" are a chance for all of them to get together and see a show, often the result of their efforts. The discounted rates and optional group dinner beforehand are geared at ensuring a good turnout to the monthly selections.

"It promotes camaraderie among the theater community and support for each theater. Plus, we have a blast!" said Wilhoit.

She and the board are working on an events committee for the Theatre Charleston Gala: "Gin and Jazz, A Roaring 20s Evening" at Pepper Plantation that will kick off the 2010 theater season on Aug. 8.

Today's activities did not happen overnight. They show the success of early efforts. Act One of Theatre Charleston started five years ago on a joint trip to Chicago.

Funded by the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, five artistic directors from the biggest theater companies at the time (Village Playhouse, Footlight Players, Pure Theatre, Charleston Stage and Theatre Concepts) traveled north to one of the nation's biggest theater hubs. There, they learned first-hand how Chicago's league operated and supported its own theaters. With a new perspective, those five returned and put their heads together to work on promoting Charleston's scene locally and nationally.

One year later, the united forces produced Charleston's league. It joined the ranks of similar organizations in all major cities where promoting the entire theater community benefits all individually.

In a short time, Charleston's league can be counted as a leader in the industry. It recently was recognized among top cities in the nation.

"We worked closely with the national organization Theatre Communications Group to bring 'Free Night of Theatre to Charleston' three years ago, and are working on a half-million-dollar national theatrical impact study of six cities in the U.S. to begin in August of this year," Keely Enright said.

Due to the work the league has done to raise awareness about Charleston's theater community, it was selected to participate along with New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle on the prestigious, yearlong study.

"This is a huge deal for our city and will have continuing and lasting impact on our status as a theater destination for years to come," added Enright.

"To be selected to participate with these major cities shows the level of respect Charleston theater has gained. This level of respect has come only because of the formation of the League of Charleston Theatres and the role we are playing on a national level."

In order to uphold that quality of talent and offerings, Enright travels every year with Wilhoit. The tour throughout various cities across the country builds Charleston's reputation and explores a constantly developing industry.

"I believe that theater is constantly evolving. Theater has to perpetually redefine itself and its place in our society," said Enright.

"But as we become a community more isolated by technology, we continue to yearn for a human connection. There is nothing more human than sitting in a roomful of people experiencing the exciting and unpredictable world of live theater," she continued.

"Anything can happen on stage. I feel very fortunate to work each day in such a thrilling environment. I feel like I have the best job in the world, and my goal every day is to make sure as many people in our community get the chance to experience the magic of theater."