Greenwood Community Theatre facts for kids

Greenwood Community Theatre, also known as GCT, is a special place in Greenwood, South Carolina. It's a non-profit theatre, which means it's not just about making money. GCT officially started way back in 1954.

GCT got a big makeover and reopened in January 2007. This huge renovation cost 1.2 million dollars! Since then, it has offered live shows like musicals, comedies, and dramas. It also shows classic and independent films. You can enjoy music concerts, discussions, and debates there too. Many local groups and touring shows also rent the theatre.

A Look Back: GCT's History

Support for the theatre's big updates came from the city. In the early 2000s, the city decided to help bring its downtown area back to life. They wanted to use historic buildings like the theatre to do this.

The theatre was closed for 18 months for the remodel. It reopened in February 2007 with the show Anything Goes. During the renovations, they kept the original floor in the lobby. This floor is made of special terrazzo tile. Many improvements were made to the theatre. It now has seats for almost 300 people. It also has better access for wheelchairs. New ropes and curtains were added on stage. A catwalk was built, and the sound and lighting systems were updated.

What's Happening Now at GCT

GCT usually puts on 5 to 7 shows each year. These shows feature local actors and actresses. The performances range from classic musicals to modern plays. They also include special musicals for kids.

Some of the shows GCT has put on recently include: The Hallelujah Girls, Elf, The Boys Next Door, The Great Gatsby, Cinderella, Frozen Jr., The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Matilda Jr., Guys and Dolls, The Jungle Book KIDS, Little Shop of Horrors, and Junie B. Jones Jingle Bells Batman Smells.

Famous Guests on GCT's Stage

Many talented musicians and comedians have performed at GCT. These include Edwin McCain, James Gregory, The Jake Bartley Band, The Swingin' Medallions, The Bad Weather States, Keith Jameson, Nat Chandler, and Pam Stone. Many others have also shared their talents here.

GCT's Upcoming Shows

The 2025 season at GCT includes some exciting shows. These are Bright Star (February), Moana Jr. (April), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (June), Hairspray (October-November), and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (December).

Besides its own shows, GCT also hosts the Greenwood Performing Arts (GPA). GPA brings 5 to 6 musical acts from all over the world to the theatre each season.

GCT is also a popular spot for many local events. These include Cambridge Academy's Drama Program Musical. The Make-A-Wish Concert and Emerald City Dance Explosion's Christmas Recital are also held here. Ashby Stokes' Annual Christmas Concert is another popular event. Many other comedy, concert, or dance events take place at GCT.

In September 2017, GCT put on Annie Jr. as a 'Penguin Project' Production. The Penguin Project is a special program. It creates a full show starring kids and teenagers with different abilities. These 'artists' are paired with a 'mentor' who helps them. In September 2018, GCT produced its second Penguin Project show, Aladdin Jr.. In September 2024, GCT produced 101 Dalmatians KIDS.

In May 2024, GCT worked with Greenwood High School to perform Newsies. Ryan Hewitt, GCT's artistic director, was the director for this show.

Meet the GCT Team

The theatre has a dedicated team that helps everything run smoothly.

• Stephen Gilbert is the Executive Director.
• Angela Scott is the Box Office Manager.
• Ryan Hewitt is the Artistic and Technical Director.

For each 6-show season, GCT hires different people to help create the world of every show. Ryan Hewitt often takes on specific roles for each production. He might be the choreographer, director, or costume or prop designer.

Ryan Hewitt is also the main coordinator and director for the Penguin Project.

The Theatre Building

The theatre auditorium has about 300 seats. It is a proscenium-style house. This means the stage is like a picture frame. The seating area slopes down from the back to the front. This allows everyone to have a great view of the stage. The stage floor is higher than where the audience sits.

The upgrades from 2007 brought many new technologies to the theatre. It now has a digital sound system and wireless microphones. There is also an orchestra pit that can be covered. The lighting equipment was updated, along with many other tech improvements.

Greenwood Children's Theatre

Greenwood Children's Theatre is a special program from GCT. It offers plays and musicals just for kids. It also has workshops and summer camps.

Fun Summer Camps

GCT offers many summer camps every year. These camps last one week, from Monday to Friday. Some are full-day camps, and some are half-day.

The summer camps in 2024 included Seussical KIDS and Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs before Dark KIDS.

Past Seasons of Shows

2024 Season

• Tuck Everlasting (Directed by Drew Kenyon)
• The Lion King Jr. (Directed by Anna Lyle-Lethco)
• The Wizard of Oz (Directed by Ryan Hewitt) - Part of the Festival of Flowers
• Much Ado About Nothing (Directed by McKenna Sloan) - Shakespeare at the Market
• Winnie the Pooh KIDS (Directed by Ryan Hewitt) - A Penguin Project show
• Clue (Directed by Brad Christie)
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. (Directed by McKenna Sloan)

2023 Season

• The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Directed by Ryan Hewitt)
• Matilda Jr. (Directed by Anna Lyle-Lethco)
• Guys and Dolls (Directed by Dr. David Sollish) - Part of the Festival of Flowers
• Twelfth Night (Directed by Joey Plyler) - Shakespeare at the Market
• The Jungle Book KIDS (Directed by Ryan Hewitt) - A Penguin Project show
• Little Shop of Horrors (Directed by Myra Greene)
• Junie B Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (Directed by Ryan Hewitt)

2022 Season

• The Great Gatsby (Directed by John Keenan)
• The Boys Next Door (Directed by Brad Christie)
• Cinderella (Directed by Ryan Hewitt) - Part of the Festival of Flowers
• The Taming of the Shrew (Directed by John Keenan) - Shakespeare at The Market
• The Aristocats KIDS (Directed by Ryan Hewitt) - A Penguin Project show
• Frozen Jr. (Directed by Kelly Crittendon)

2021 Season

• A Midsummer Night's Dream (Directed by John Keenan) - Shakespeare at The Market
• The Hallelujah Girls (Directed by Micheal Genevie)
• Elf (Directed by Drew Kenyon)

2020 Season

• The Marvelous Wonderettes (Directed by Wendi Wimmer)
• A Raisin in the Sun (Directed by Clark Nesbit)
• A Charlie Brown Christmas

2019 Season

• Oklahoma! (Directed by John Keenan)
• My Son Pinocchio Jr. (Directed by Drew Kenyon)
• Seussical the Musical (Directed by Ryan Hewitt) - Part of the Festival of Flowers
• The Dixie Swim Club (Directed by Monique Sacay-Bagwell)
• The Addams Family (Directed by Ryan Hewitt)
• Madeline's Christmas (Directed by Tiffany Skelton)

2018 Season

• 9 to 5 (Directed by Ryan Hewitt)
• Madagascar Jr. (Directed by Ryan Hewitt)
• Into the Woods - Part of the Festival of Flowers
• Aladdin Jr. (Directed by Ansley Bice-Keenan) - A Penguin Project show
• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Directed by Tracie Liquire-Rush)
• It's A Wonderful Life (Directed by Tracie Liquire-Rush)
• A Charlie Brown Christmas (Directed by Ryan Hewitt)

2017 Season

• Sister Act (Directed by Tracie Liquire)
• Peter Pan Jr. (Directed by Ryan Hewitt)
• Beauty and the Beast (Directed by Tracie Liquire) - Part of the Festival of Flowers
• Annie Jr. (Directed by Ansley Bice-Keenan) - A Penguin Project show
• Driving Miss Daisy (Directed by Myra Greene)
• Miracle on 34th Street (Directed by Myra Greene)

2016 Season

• To Kill A Mockingbird (Directed by Tracie Liquire)
• Godspell (Directed by Ryan Hewitt)
• James and the Giant Peach Jr. (Directed by Ansley Bice-Keenan)
• The Little Mermaid (Directed by Ryan Hewitt) - Part of the Festival of Flowers
• Annie Jr. (Directed by Tracie Liquire)
• Steel Magnolias (Directed by Myra Greene)
• Once An Angel (Directed by Ryan Hewitt)

2015 Season

• Willy Wonka (Directed by Tracie Liquire)
• Mulan Jr. (Directed by Tracie Liquire)
• Shrek the Musical (Directed by Ryan Hewitt) - Part of the Festival of Flowers
• Mary Poppins (Directed by Micheal Genevie) - A collaboration with Abbeville Opera House
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Directed by Tracie Liquire)

2013-2014 Season

• Tom Sawyer (Directed by Ryan Hewitt)
• Grease (Directed by Myra Greene)
• Believe! (Directed by Ryan Hewitt)
• The Wizard of Oz (Directed by Tracie Liquire)
• Honk! Jr. (Directed by Ansley Bice-Keenan) - Kids4Kids
• Barefoot in the Park (Directed by Monique Sacay-Bagwell)
• The Sound of Music - Part of the Festival Of Flowers
• Footloose (Directed by Myra Greene)

2012-2013 Season

• Legally Blonde
• Beauty and the Beast Jr. (Directed by Ryan Hewitt) - Kids4Kids
• Smoke on the Mountain (Directed by Bess Park)
• 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
• Twelfth Night
• The Music Man
• Winnie the Pooh KIDS - Kids4Kids
• Oliver! (Directed by Myra Greene) - Part of the Festival of Flowers

2011-2012 Season

• The Fantasticks
• The Guys
• Morning's at Seven
• Aladdin Jr. - Kids4Kids
• A Christmas Story
• The Glass Menagerie
• My Fair Lady (Directed by Bess Park)
• The Aristocats KIDS - Kids4Kids
• You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
• Twelfth Night
• Man of La Mancha (Directed by Tony Humrichouser) - Part of the Festival of Flowers

2010-2011 Season

• Alice in Wonderland Jr.
• 101 Dalmatians Jr.
• A Christmas Carol
• Sylvia by A.R. Gurney
• Guys and Dolls (Directed by Bess Park)
• Annie Jr.
• Arsenic and Old Lace
• Ask Me Anything by local author Israel Allen
• Hairspray (Directed by Joey Giles) - Part of the Festival of Flowers

2009-2010 Season

• Disney's High School Musical
• The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - Kids4Kids
• The Mousetrap
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
• Fiddler on the Roof
• Romeo and Juliet
• Dancin' Fools
• Seussical the Musical - Part of the Festival of Flowers

2008-2009 Season

• Catfish Moon
• Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
• Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
• A Few Good Men
• Brigadoon
• The Misanthrope
• Godspell, Jr.
• Steel Magnolias
• Children of Eden

2007-2008 Season

• Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming
• Treasure Island
• Merry Christmas Scrooge
• Oklahoma!
• 12 Angry Men
• A Midsummer Night's Dream
• Little Shop of Horrors

2007 Season

• Anything Goes Homecoming
• Women on Fire
• Wind in the Willows
• The Nerd
• The Secret Garden - Part of the Festival of Flowers (Directed by Bess Park and Jeremy Webb)