Centre Stage’s mission is to captivate audiences through diverse programming, cultivate local artistry, and inspire community collaboration.
Founded in 1983, by Douglas P. McCoy (1937-2005), Centre Stage is a year-round, 285-seat regional theater offering a wide range of entertainment within easy walking distance of historic Falls Park and the many shops and restaurants that line downtown Greenville’s Main Street corridor. Augmenting its subscription season of music, comedy, and drama, the theater also hosts art exhibitions and other special events inside the performance facility noted for its unique configuration, comfort and intimacy.
Prior to 1997, Centre Stage presented its productions in various locations, including the Greenville County Museum of Art, St. Mary’s Church gymnatorium, the Greenville School District’s Fine Arts Center and a building leased for ten years at the corner of Washington and Academy Streets. In December 1996, ground was broken for the theater’s current location at 501 River Street where it now occupies 10,000 square feet of the 30,000 square-foot Morgan Stanley Building. Centre Stage took occupancy of this venue on October 1, 1997.
In April, 1998 Centre Stage was designated as a Constituent Member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), whose mission is to strengthen, nurture and promote the professional not-for-profit American theatre, and remains so to this day. Centre Stage also is a member of the Professional Division of the Southeastern Theater Conference (SETC). Two to three times a year, the theater’s artistic staff attends unified auditions hosted by both SETC and the Metrolina (Charlotte, NC) Theatre Association.
Members in good standing of Actors Equity Association (AEA) have worked at Centre Stage under the AEA Guest Artist Contract, which determines compensation and certain working conditions.
Centre Stage is known for its original revue shows including 1957 Diva Heaven; The Best of Boots; Boots, Beer & Country Music; Boots, Beer, Bubble Gum & Loafers, Tony and the Diva’s, A Diva Holiday, Country Queens, Kings of Country and Their Queens, Swingin’ Country, Laughing All the Way and our Annual Rock Shows. CSSC will continue to put original productions in their season lineups for many years to come.
On May 15, 2010, Glenda ManWaring replaced BJ Koonce as Executive Director. Koonce had succeeded Founding Artistic Director Douglas P. McCoy in March of 2005. April 2019 saw another change with Thom Seymour, adding Executive and Artistic Director responsibilities to his current role as the organization’s Technical Director. In June 2020, another leadership change placed trained director and Associate Artistic Director, Laura Nicholas, as the Managing Artistic Director.
Today, Centre Stage productions draw on largely local talent and its programming places particular emphasis on establish works of the modern repertoire and new works. Its annual New Play Festival (NPF) receives submissions from playwrights around the country and abroad, but in recent years has turned focus toward South Carolina affiliated playwrights. NPF finalists are presented in readers theater format during the one-day festival. Playwright Lee Blessing (2007 NPF Playwright-in-Residence) has described the festival as “one of the most important elements of contemporary play development (in) the region.”
Collaborative relationships cultivated in recent years by Centre Stage have positioned it uniquely as a major destination for the arts in Greenville. One of these examples includes the Gallery at Centre Stage, in which the Metropolitan Arts Council presents no fewer than six visual art exhibitions each year. Collaborations with area colleges and universities have resulted in numerous faculty members and alumni serving as production personnel throughout the year.
From a determination to raise artistic standards to its consistent focus on every detail of the patron experience, Centre Stage strives to create an atmosphere that excites, energizes and elevates each person with whom it comes in contact. This is the brand of professional theater to which Centre Stage subscribes and one we hope you’ll give us the opportunity to demonstrate to you in the very near future.
Adam Jennings — President
Taylor Roy–Vice President
Sharon Hickman — Secretary
James Starks– Treasurer
Christy Ashkettle –Past President
Deb Peabody
Sarah DuBose
Grace Hartley
Liz Jordan
Kristi Parker Byers
Lillian Keeling
Elizabeth Hayes
Darath Mackie
Rebecca Schmale
Jake Cluverius
Nolan Merritt
Harriet Wallace
Pam Foster
Catherine Stoddard
Mike Chengrian
Jack Ashton
Cindy Brothers
Tim Baiden
Steven D. Bichel
Claude W. Blakely
Margaret Brockman
Catherine C. Christophillis
Marshall F. Clarke
Charles M. Groves
Barbara Hackett
Michael H. Hawley
Michael R. Hoffman, MD
Kathleen P. Jennings
Ruth A. Nicholson
James A. Pierce, III
Michael Richardson
Louie Sagedy
Rowena Buffett Timms
William S. Wilder
Robert A. Wilson, MD
Robyn Zimmerman
Douglas P. McCoy
Founding Executive/Artistic Director
Doug McCoy
1937-2005
Claude Blakely
1942-2022
Jack Depriester
1936-2024
Beverley K. Whitten
1942-2024
864.233.6733 ext. 101
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Laura Nicholas holds a B.A. and M.A. in Theatre Arts and an M.F.A. in Directing from Baylor University. Her background includes theatrical design and direction as well as stage management, vocal performance and theory. Prior to stepping into her current leadership role at Centre Stage, she served on staff at the theatre as the Associate Artistic Director. Under her leadership over the past four years, the theatre has seen many regional and world premieres as well as an artistic shift toward local artistry and excellence in programming for the Upstate’s only professional thrust stage. Laura holds numerous production credits in a wide range of material including musicals, comedies, dramas, and concert revue shows. Other professional experience includes a decade of customer service and management roles, as well as five years of teaching Theatre Appreciation, Stage Management, Public Speaking, and Acting at the University level. When she is not making theatre, Laura can be found shopping, doing yoga, listening to podcasts, and traveling around the world with her husband of twelve years!
(864) 233-6733 Ext. 103
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TJ Hills was born in Decatur Illinois but had the opportunity to live in five different states by the time he graduated high school. After high school he moved back to Atlanta to pursue a degree in aviation. While in Atlanta, he served as a production technician, sound engineer and broadcast director with Northpoint Ministries and a few of their strategic partners around the Atlanta area. TJ calls the south home and lived in Atlanta for many years before moving to Greenville with his wife and two children. TJ has always loved live show production and is excited to turn his passion into a career with Centre Stage.
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Jenny was born in Murray, KY and relocated to Greenville with her husband and 2 children in 2006. She has a BA in Business from Murray State University. She began working with local theatres several years ago costuming shows that her children were in and found a real passion for all things theatre related. At Centre Stage she has found a place that combines both her customer service and management experience with her love of theatre. She hopes to see you at a show soon!
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Samantha Jemmott has been working as both a performer and technician for over a decade. After graduating from Marywood University with a BA in Musical Theatre, she worked with several regional theatres throughout the East Coast and Midwest. Previous Centre Stage work includes Stage Management for BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, and 9 TO 5, and Performing as Paulette in Legally Blonde.
Other local credits include: Stage Managing: ASM for MS. HOLMES AND MS. WATSON (Warehouse), SM for CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (Greenville), SM for SORDID LIVES (Proud Mary); Performing: Lucinda in INTO THE WOODS (Greenville), Lauren in KINKY BOOTS (Proud Mary), Bea in SOMETHING ROTTEN (Greenville), Dragon and Gingy in SHREK (Market) and The Witch in INTO THE WOODS (Market); Costume Designs: LEGALLY BLONDE (Hendersonville), TREASURE ISLAND (Montford Park Players), CHARLOTTE’S WEB (South Carolina Children’s Theatre), ONCE (Centre Stage), and NUNSENSE (Hendersonville).
(864) 233-6733
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Samantha Cole is a creative professional passionate about storytelling, design, and the performing arts. With a diverse background in multimedia marketing, costuming, and theatrical production, she thrives at the intersection of creativity and organization. Previous Centre Stage work includes Costume Designer for PETER AND THE STARCATCHER and ROCKIN’ BOOTS. Before joining Centre Stage, Samantha worked in multimedia marketing, brand development, and content creation, helping businesses craft compelling narratives through digital media.
Samantha holds a BA in Theatre Arts, Theatre Performance from Appalachian State University and is currently pursuing an MBA in Digital Brand Communications at Clemson University.
When not working at Centre Stage, she is a fiber artist, avid reader, dog mom, & tattoo lover.
Adam Jennings, a native of Spartanburg, SC, has had a love for theatre and the spoken word for as long as he can remember. Today, Adam is the Destination Experiences Manager for VisitGreenvilleSC where he works together with the community’s members to grow Greenville as a must-visit destination city. A graduate of Greenville Technical College, he also volunteers as a support group facilitator for the Greenville Area Parkinson Society and is on the leadership planning committee for the Alzheimer’s Association’s signature event, Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Outside of work, you can find Adam with his friends and family at local and national theatre productions, antiquing or enjoying a glass of wine or a craft cocktail at any of Greenville’s latest establishments.
James B. Starks IV, CPA
Co-Managing Partner and Audit Partner
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James joined Bradshaw, Gordon & Clinkscales, LLC in October 2014 as the firm’s Audit Director and was admitted as a partner in the firm in January 2017. He has more than 20 years total business experience, including over 16 years of experience working with public accounting firms within the audit and assurance departments. Prior to joining Bradshaw, Gordon & Clinkscales, LLC, James served as Audit Manager for a top 10 national accounting firm. His experience includes not-for-profit entities as well as public and closely held for-profit entities primarily in the commercial construction and manufacturing industries.
Professional Affiliations
American Institute of CPAs
South Carolina Association of CPAs
Education
BBA, Accounting and Finance, Magna Cum Laude, Georgia State University