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. 

The American stage is a space in which artists and audiences alike are searching for and exploring their identities. Theatre creates a space and a conduit for that exploration, a driving force for artists and audience members as they experience the many wonderful stories in the theatre. Basically, theatre artists— like everyone else— are constantly trying to find themselves and as our understanding of the world (internal and external) shifts, so do we. This is where we encounter She Kills Monsters. 

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

“In this episode, we are down a couple hosts, so our producer Will subs in with Bryce to talk to Noah Taylor and Drew Whitley of Market Theatre. They talk about building a community theatre, COVID’s effect on them, and the future of the performing arts in Anderson!” — Electric City Buzz

Let’s take a journey back to high school. (For some of us, it was just last year. For others, it may take a little longer to get there).  The bell has just rung. You’re walking down the crowded hallway, headed to your next class… As you pass a hundred students, one stands out ahead.  You look up, you see each other, and you know exactly who he is, even if you don’t know him at all, because he is just like you…. A theatre kid.

The Tempest challenged the traditions of Renaissance comedy by presenting a story that is neither particularly witty nor defined by comic accidents of misfortune. Instead, it’s something more like a fairy tale, with spirits and magic and handsome princes wandering in the woods. It is, in turn, solemn and enchanting, philosophical and dreamlike, full of beauty and sadness, and characters that are almost too human to bear.

We recently sat down with Kelly Davis, star of Proud Mary Theatre’s THE PINK UNICORN to ask her three questions: (1) Where’s the show now? (2) Where’d the show come from? (3) Where’s the show going? With these three questions in mind, Kelly took us on the journey of this hilarious and important production, complete with behind-the-scenes happenings and a heartbreaking setback.

Theatres have an incredible group of people that make every show happen, from choosing a season to the final bows. In this Meet a…. series, we want to introduce you to some of the people who help Market Theatre make it all happen!

First up, meet Kat Bates – a local Theatrical Designer and our Production Designer for Pinocchio and Winnie the Pooh. 

The sun is setting.

The cacophony of the water-wall fills the air with sound and sends sprays carried by the breeze.

The buzz of camaraderie fills the evening air as patrons jostle for an enviable seat with lawn chair or blanket.

Popcorn aroma entices…

“I believe that education is the best weapon against ignorance. Despite drag being a rather secretive society when it comes to protecting the identity of the person behind the makeup, I felt there was an opportunity to change some hearts and minds by pulling back the curtain.”

“It's bananas to me that it took a whole decade to get back to theatre but it was necessary. Life and growth needed to happen to mold me into the person and performer I am today,” said Caleb Jackson, who stars as Lola/Simon in Market Theatre’s Kinky Boots. Find out why Caleb took a ten-year break from the stage and how he ended up in the spotlight in Anderson.