New Arts Venues Paint Bright Cultural Picture
Published Apr 17, 2008
When the curtain rose in September 2007 to begin the 84th season of the Florence Little Theatre, actors and patrons had a bittersweet feeling of excitement tinged with nostalgia.
The 2007-08 season is the last before the venerable group moves into its new 35,000-square-foot theater funded primarily by a $10 million grant from the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation of Florence.
Located on Dargan Street between Pine and Elm streets, the theater is expected to be completed by May 2008 and ready for rehearsals a month later.
“This is a community that supports the arts, and it gives us great faith to know that everyone is behind us,” says Sue Schatz, executive director of the Florence Little Theatre, recognized as one of the top amateur theatrical groups in South Carolina.
Just a few blocks away, on a 3.93-acre site near the corner of Cheves and Dargon streets, construction is scheduled to begin in 2008 on the $22 million Francis Marion University Center for the Performing Arts, financed in part by another $10 million grant from the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation.
According to Frank Crow, director of the Florence Regional Arts Alliance, these projects plus strong symphonic, choral and dance groups are helping Florence flourish as the region’s cultural center.
“The theater and the performing arts center will become anchors for an arts and cultural district that is part of downtown revitalization,” Crow says.
“We have a tremendous arts presence for a community this size, thanks to broad support not only within the community itself but also across the area.”
The Florence Symphony Orchestra, which began its 59th season in October 2007, is one of the few all-volunteer symphonies in the United States.
“The fact that there are so many talented musicians in this area who are willing to donate their time to practice and perform with the symphony says a lot about the community’s dedication to the arts,” says Wesley Wakeman, general manager.
The Florence Masterworks Choir performs widely, and the South Carolina Dance Theatre offers The Nutcracker and other performances each year.
Story by Valerie Pascoe
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