While the Aries moon in me has always strongly identified with the divine feminine rage elicited in all of Alanis Morissette’s songs on her album Jagged Little Pill, I have the deepest affinity for her song “Mary Jane.” As a mental health therapist who primarily works with clients struggling with eating disorders, and someone who has struggled with my own issues with food, “Mary Jane” is the song that has always resonated with me the most because it clearly details Morissette’s struggles with her own eating disorder as a young girl and woman.

I first learned the term “highly sensitive person” when my life crumbled around me at the age of 23. Our brains are wired a bit differently, and we are naturally predisposed to experience the world with a deeper processing, becoming more easily overstimulated and overwhelmed, engaging in our environment with a wider range of empathy and difficulty with sensory processing. 

So what do we do with all this extra processing, stimulation, empathy, and sensory input?

Some stories don’t come out in everyday conversation. 

They show up sideways. In defensiveness. In overworking. In shutting down. In staying too busy to feel. In pretending we’re fine. 

Art has a way of calling those stories forward. 

That’s part of what makes Jagged Little Pill so powerful. The show doesn’t tidy things up. It does not wrap pain in a bow. It lets the hard things breathe — trauma, addiction, identity, consent, complicated family dynamics — and trusts the audience to sit with them. And that trust is meaningful. 

Because sitting with hard things is… hard. 

The 2025 Arts for All Gala & Awards: Down at the OzDust was an unforgettable evening! Our dedicated Gala Committee aimed to take you to the enchanting cavern-chic ballroom from Wicked. We couldn't have accomplished this without the generous support of our sponsors and partners, local businesses, artists, and individual donors.

The magic of Market Theatre’s park shows is only created with the collaboration of our dedicated creative teams and casts. With our first park show of the year opening this week, we wanted to interview some of the team members of The Little Mermaid. 

Market Theatre is proud to continue highlighting the remarkable businesses and individuals who make our work possible. Each sponsor brings something unique to the table, helping us build a stronger and more vibrant arts community here in Anderson. In this edition of our Sponsor Spotlight, we're excited to introduce another exceptional partner whose values and vision align beautifully with our mission at Market Theatre: Ruth Harbin Counseling and 215 Society Street.

Market Theatre could not do what we do without our incredible sponsors! Our sponsors trust us to create works that embody our values: connecting and inspiring our community by creating quality art, educational opportunities, and a vibrant community arts hub. In return, we want to spotlight our sponsors. Our first featured sponsor is Arbor-All Tree Service, a sponsor since 2024.

What happens when you mash up Shakespeare, Broadway, and a little bit of absurdity? You get Something Rotten!, a musical that’s equal parts historical spoof and heartfelt celebration of theatre. This spring, Market Theatre is bringing this hilarious, high-energy spectacle to the stage—and whether you're a die-hard Shakespeare fan, a musical theatre junkie, or someone who just loves a good laugh, this show is absolutely for you.

tick, tick…BOOM! aimed to encapsulate Larson’s ever-growing concerns about time slipping away, breaking the promise of being a “promising young composer”, and gleaning everything he wanted out of life before it was too late.

Our School Squad cast members have encountered their fair share of funny and unexpected questions. We caught up with some cast members to learn which questions left them laughing, thinking, or totally charmed.

Ma Rainey, also known as the “Mother of the Blues, is an historic Black music icon whom I imagine most of you, much like me, have never heard of. Who is Ma Rainey and why has she been hidden for so long?

With the 2025 season underway, we're thrilled to introduce you to the directors leading our production teams! As always, we have something for everyone in our community, including free performances in the park to acclaimed musicals and cult classics. Learn more about the directors leading this season's exciting productions below!

This year, we set out to make the Gala bigger than ever. Our team aimed to provide our community with the opportunity to experience a theatrical event beyond the walls of our home. We couldn't have achieved this without the generous support of community!

Are you brave enough to venture to the light over at the Frankenstein Place? Join us for a fabulous night out in downtown Anderson before you catch the cult classic, The Rocky Horror Show, at the Market Theatre! With an array of vibrant spots nearby, you can make the most of your evening with great food, drinks, and unforgettable experiences. 

In the heart of Anderson, where creativity thrives, we are gearing up for a night like no other - the 10th annual 24 Hour Musical! This year, Market Theatre has chosen to support the South Main Chapel & Mercy Center, a beacon of hope and support for our community. The Chapel and Mercy Center provides outreach and support services to persons who are economically disadvantaged and to many who are houselessness. Check out below how the non-profit is changing the city's landscape with Elizabeth Hiott (Ministry Associate/Care Manager and Ride to Work Program Director).

Market Theatre owes its success to the thriving community that we have built over the past eight years. Our community participates in shows and attends performance with great enthusiasm and support, making our work possible! But how did a young theatre manage to create such a community? We sat down with some of the Jersey Boys cast and crew to learn more about their thoughts on Market Theatre and why they continue to be a part of this family. 

We wrapped up our second-ever School Squad Tour with Dragons Love Tacos at the end of March. We’re thrilled to share the numbers highlighting our impact across the Upstate!

Embarking on a theatrical journey during the summer months is an exhilarating opportunity for young performers to cultivate their skills, forge lasting friendships, and immerse themselves in the magic of the stage. As parents and participants seek the ideal theatre summer camp, certain elements emerge as crucial for creating an unforgettable and enriching experience.

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is the greatest band the media wasn’t writing about. This presents a unique problem for a dramaturg when looking for research, inspiration, and articles from the time. But who were The Four Seasons? Where did they come from? How did a group of “Jersey Boys” have such a massive career? 

“From the surprise early-2000s opening to the sweeping tunes of the '60s, I wanted to create lived-in performances and steps that evoked the style of one of the major vocal groups of the modern era. I took inspiration from many of the real-life Four Seasons performances and incorporated some more modern influences.”

Market Theatre is thrilled about our 2024 season, and we're hitting the ground running. This January, we begin rehearsals for three of our shows! From educational programming and free shows in the park, to celebrated musicals and cult favorites, we have something for everyone in our community. Find out more about this season's directors leading the way.

My lighting aesthetic varies depending on the show, but a general darkness and focus being pulled to one spot is a through line. Whatever aesthetic is established, I typically try to upset it once the script, choreography, etc introduces a new element or changes a meaning.

Everyone starts a fight with different stakes and walks away with some different stakes at the end of a fight. It’s still all a part of the show, part of the storytelling, part of acting, and a fight choreographer is going to show you how to have an onstage conflict very safely but also help the audience to be involved in the story at the same time. 

If you find yourself in Downtown Anderson and you're craving an evening filled with laughter, adventure, and a sprinkle of geekiness, look no further than Market’s production of She Kills Monsters. This play is a unicorn in the world of theater: rare and absolutely enchanting. With that, here are the top five reasons why you should be racing to get your tickets…

At Market Theatre, we believe in the transformative power of the arts. Our commitment to making the arts accessible to all is unwavering. The 2023 Arts for All Gala & Awards is a testament to this dedication, and we couldn’t have brought this vision to life without the generous support of our partners and sponsors. We extend our heartfelt thanks to each of our gracious partners and sponsors for helping to bring the Gala vision to life!

On Thursday, October 12, Market Theatre will be celebrating the accomplishments of the past year and looking at the season to come at our annual Arts for All Gala! With tickets going quickly for this one-of-a-kind event (the deadline to reserve your seat is October 5!), we wanted to outline what the Arts for All Gala is and what it means to attend our biggest party of the year.

Everyone at Market Theatre is SO excited to round out the summer season with Rock of Ages! The show is running September 14 - 25 for FREE in Carolina Wren Park, just a few blocks from our home at the Anderson Arts Center. Joining us are a few Upstate food vendors that will make your tastebuds sing!

Much like the rock in the old hymn, the music of the ‘80s gave listeners a sense of escape from the ravages of what was happening in society. The ‘80s were a time of turmoil and political unrest. Unemployment, protests, strikes, and violence were prevalent. Materialism and consumerism were exploding. Television news inundated the viewers with scenes of war, turbulence, and police brutality.  John Lennon was shot and killed outside of his home. The AIDS crisis took the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Musicians and artists wanted to make a difference. 

Although Alexis performed throughout her life and was pursuing a Theatre Acting degree, she knew she wanted to be an artist since she was a young child. Alexis says “I fell in love with Van Gogh, but some discouraged me to not go in that direction saying ‘I would die a broke and starving artist.’” She clearly didn't let that stop her! Meet Market Theatre’s Resident Scenic Artist, Alexis Morehead, and get a behind the scenes looks at the process.

“It is important to note that our project is an "Experiment" aimed at uplifting the standard of living for the residents without displacing them from their community. Through this experiment, we strive to achieve positive change while mitigating any adverse effects. Hence, we proudly identify ourselves as The Cleo Bailey Experiment.” - Zephaniah Smith, co-founder of the Cleo Bailey Experiment