History
Founded in 1983 by Douglas P. McCoy, Centre Stage-South Carolina! was formed with the intent of becoming a professional theatre bringing current and quality productions to this region. On February 15, 1984 the organization was incorporated by the state of South Carolina as "Centre Stage - A Community Theatre." Its first performance space was the Greenville County Museum of Art's theatre where Centre Stage-A Community Theatre was introduced to the public. Then it performed its first full production at St. Mary's Church in the gymnatorium. For the next four years, CSACT performed in the Greenville School District's Fine Arts Center. For one of those years, the Centre Stage Artistic Director taught the drama classes for the Center. For the next ten years Centre Stage leased a building on the corner of Washington and Academy Streets and produced all of its plays there.

On March 29, 1989 the state of South Carolina changed the incorporated name from Centre Stage - A Community Theatre to Centre Stage-South Carolina!. This was done at the suggestion of the South Carolina Arts Commission because Centre Stage was moving towards its goal of becoming a "professional" rather than an "amateur (community)" theatre. In April, 1996 Centre Stage-South Carolina! was approved as an Associate Member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American Theatre. At that time CSSC! began receiving all of the rights and privileges of the professional theatre. In April, 1998 CSSC! was designated as a Constituent Member of TCG.

In December, 1996 ground was broken for the state-of-the-art new location at 501 River Street where CSSC! currently occupies 10,000 square feet of the 30,000 square feet Smith Barney Building. Centre Stage took occupancy of its new venue on October 1, 1997 and had its first performance in the new space on October 2, 1997.

Its first full production, Mass Appeal by Bill C. Davis, was performed by invitation at the 1984 Piccolo Spoleto. The production also won the 1984/85 state theatre competition, the ten-state Southeastern competition, and placed fourth at the national competition. Centre Stage was the first and is still the only South Carolina theatre to achieve this recognition. Centre Stage co-produced two Piccolo Spoleto productions in 2000, The Honky Tonk Angels and Step Into My Parlor, both new works by Ted Swindley.

There are over 7,000 amateur community theatres in the United States, plus 400 professional theatres recognized by Theatre Communications Group. CSSC is one of the theaters recognized by TCG in the professional category.