All across the nation, community theaters lift the spirits and souls of the communities they call home. These institutions often serve as places where aspiring actors and producers can develop and showcase their skills, and where fellow community members can not only break the everyday routine with a homegrown theatrical escape, but also support their neighbors’ artistic endeavors while doing so.
During your next Grand Strand getaway, soak up some some local talent, enjoy some on-stage drama and show your support for the area’s culture with a visit to one of these community theaters:
Stage Left Theatre Company – As the newest community theater in Myrtle Beach, Stage Left will soon enter its fifth season of showcasing local talent in The Market Common shopping/dining/entertainment complex. The company was founded in 2009 by Artistic Director Amber McCann, and it moved into its custom-built, 53-set black-box style theater on Deville Street in 2013.
Priding itself on using all-local volunteer talent and introducing at least one new company member with each new production, Stage Left is presenting Bernard Slade’s “Same Time, Next Year” through February 18. The 1975 Tony Award-winning romantic comedy follows a pair of lovers who have carried on a decades-old extramarital affair with an annual rendezvous. Laughs ensue as the two discuss 25 years of manners and morals (or lack thereof). The season continues with Ken Ludwig’s “The Fox on the Fairway” April 5-22 and Sean Grennan’s “As Long as We Both Shall Live” June 14-July 1. Learn more at http://www.stagelefttheatremb.com
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GTS Theatre – Performing in an intimate, cabaret-style theater located off Highway 17 just south of Coastal Grand Mall in Myrtle Beach, the talented cast at GTS Theatre presents entertaining shows that pique interest with regular cast-audience interaction. Known by many locals as “the little theater with the biggest voices,” GTS Theatre is presenting a mix of productions in the coming months. Among them, the “Motor City Musical” offers a musical journey through storied and soulful the history of Motown, while “A Lifetime of Music” starring David T. Morris features a range of well-known songs from the ’50s through today, including favorites by Frank Sinatra, Van Morrison, Elvis and even Radiohead. Upcoming presentations include the “’60s & ’70s Beach Party Tribute Show” and “Neon Lights – Celebrating Decades of Country Music.” Learn more at gtstheatre.com.
Atlantic Stage – Formed in 2008 by a group of local theater artists, many of them working at Coastal Carolina University, Atlantic Stage now serves as the Grand Strand’s only nonprofit, professional theater company. With a stated mission of enriching the area’s cultural scene with entertaining and enlightening works of classic and contemporary theater, the company regularly plays to packed houses at its Myrtle Beach Mall performance space.
Atlantic Stage’s current season features a presentation of Kevin Armento’s “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” through February 18. The production follows the turbulent and taboo affair between a 15-year-old boy and his high school algebra teacher – all told from the unique perspective of the boy’s cellphone. Subsequent 2018 productions include Taylor Gruenloh’s “Adverse Effects” March 22-April 15 and Joe DiPietro’s “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” May 31-June 24. Learn more at atlanticstage.wordpress.com.
After you’ve enjoyed some of the talent, drama, laughs and tunes the Grand Strand’s community theaters have to offer, head back to your comfortable accommodations at The Cottages at North Beach Plantation to recharge for another day of exploring the Myrtle Beach area’s wide-ranging cultural offerings. Book your getaway today, and we’ll look forward to hosting your party’s next arts-filled vacation on the Grand Strand!
