Theater & Dance
Piccolo Spoleto offers a diverse lineup of theatre and dance, featuring captivating plays, dynamic dance productions, and more.
Dance
Showcase Day
Workshop Day
Are you an aspiring or current dancer? Check out the lineup of genres and technical levels featured in Piccolo’s first Dance Workshop Day, with a variety of classes offered in the beautiful studios of College of Charleston’s Cato Fine Arts Center.
Theater at Cannon Street Arts Center
134 Cannon Street
Mind Reading Musical Game Show
Performances:
- Friday, May 30 at 7:00pm
- Friday, June 6 at 7:00pm
Admission:
Shortwave Kitsch: Fuzzy Wuzzy Mumbo Jumbo
New Stories, Vintage Vibes
Celebrating the art of the spoken word, we’re taking an exciting jump back in time to share the beloved tradition of radio drama! Presenting: Shortwave Kitsch— the slice of performance history that will leave you wanting more! Each show is a new work written by local writers, performed by local actors, original music written by local musicians, curated by local professionals, and performed in front of a live audience. Every exciting episode will be recorded and shared on multiple media platforms for a modern-day radio show experience. You never have to miss out on any of our stories as we travel back in time, through space, out into the great Wild West, and all around the world. Come with us on your next adventure and hold on tight for this thrilling ride!
The Shows You’ll be Seeing:
HOLLYWOOD HUNTERS
Jesse Ball and Patty Odd make up the agents at Odd/Ball Talent, the leader in getting the creepy creatures and terrifying titans hired in the monster pictures of today… if by today, you mean the 1930s.
LIFE WITH ELARA
Elara left her home planet to embrace life on Earth, marrying a human named Dean and navigating the daily challenges of adapting to a new life. Her cosmic perspective proves challenging, but it always brings the laughs — and, most of all, love.
Admission: $20
Shortwave Kitsch: By Hook or By Crook
New Stories, Vintage Vibes
Celebrating the art of the spoken word, we’re taking an exciting jump back in time to share the beloved tradition of radio drama! Presenting: Shortwave Kitsch— the slice of performance history that will leave you wanting more! Each show is a new work written by local writers, performed by local actors, original music written by local musicians, curated by local professionals, and performed in front of a live audience. Every exciting episode will be recorded and shared on multiple media platforms for a modern-day radio show experience. You never have to miss out on any of our stories as we travel back in time, through space, out into the great Wild West, and all around the world. Come with us on your next adventure and hold on tight for this thrilling ride!
The Shows You’ll be Seeing:
CALL THE LADY PHYSICIAN
A high-flying adventure with Cliff Ryder, a misogynistic aeronaut, who carries the former debutant turned diligent doctor, Elise Banks, around the world to where the people are in need and danger awaits.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
In the British tradition of the Agony Aunt letters (That’s like a Dear Abby Letter to you, Yanks!), Adriana Agony is ready and willing to provide you with the most endearing and essential life advice. But when she steps away from the mic or the typewriter, she’s ready to solve the problem personally no matter what the death-defying stakes.
Admission: $20
Other Theatre
La serva padrona
Experience the wit and charm of Pergolesi’s La serva padrona, a delightful comic opera where a clever maid turns the tables on her grumpy master in a hilarious battle of wits and love. With its lively music, laugh-out-loud moments, and timeless story, this gem is the perfect introduction to opera!
Performances:
- Monday, May 26 at 6:00pm
- Monday, May 26 at 7:30pm
- Tuesday, May 27 at 2:00pm
- Tuesday, May 27 at 3:30pm
- Wednesday, May 28 at 6:00pm
- Wednesday, May 28 at 7:30pm
- Thursday, May 29 at 6:00pm
- Thursday, May 29 at 7:30pm
Venue: South Carolina Society Hall, 72 Meeting Street
Admission: $40
The Shortwave Kitsch Kitsch Show
Get ready for a night of non-stop fun! This high-energy variety show blends live music, outrageous comedy, and spontaneous audience moments for an experience you won’t forget. From original tunes that turn to crowd-favorite classics, a killer band brings the soundtrack, while hilarious sketches showcase the charm and quirks of the region. You’re not just watching—you’re part of the action.
Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of creativity and community. Grab your tickets now! SWK Show – Shortened & Amped Up:
Swing back to the 1940s for a night of vintage vibes and big laughs! This retro variety show brings the era to life with a swingin’ band, charming stories, and laugh-out-loud comedy. Tap your toes to timeless tunes and dive into quirky sketches that capture the heart and humor of the time. With audience fun built in, every moment is a blast from the past.
Step into the magic—get your tickets now for this nostalgic celebration of music and community!
Performance: June 7 at 7:00pm
Venue: Capers Hall at the Citadel, 1 Lee Avenue
Admission: $30
Stelle di Domani at the College of Charleston
Home by Samm-Art Williams
CofC Stages presents Home by Samm-Art Williams. Optimistic and strong, young Cephus Miles is content to work the land on the small North Carolina farm he inherited from his family. When his childhood sweetheart rejects him and goes off to college, he moves north, finding a new job and a new girlfriend. But soon the dream begins to fade. This brilliantly inventive, lyrically expressive play deals joyfully with the coming of age in the mid-20th century. Suitable for audiences 14+.
Performances:
- Saturday, May 24th at 7:30pm
- Sunday, May 25th at 2:00pm
- Tuesday, May 27th at 7:30pm
- Wednesday, May 28th at 3:00pm
- Wednesday, May 28th at 7:30pm
Venue: Simons Center Black Box Theatre
Address: 54 St. Philip Street
Admission: $16 (general admission); $12 (students and seniors) plus ticket surcharge
Runtime: 90 minutes without intermission
Monsters of the American Cinema by Christian St. Croix
Center Stage presents Monsters of the American Cinema by Christian St. Croix. After his husband's death, Remy Washington, a Black man, inherits a drive-in movie theater and takes on the unexpected responsibility of raising his late husband’s straight, white teenage son, Pup. The two form a bond over their shared love of classic monster movies, but when Remy discovers Pup’s cruelty toward a gay classmate, their connection begins to fracture, and the real horrors start to emerge. Monsters of the American Cinema is a haunting, funny, and unexpectedly tender tale of fatherhood and loss. Presented by College of Charleston’s student theatre organization Center Stage. Suitable for audiences 14+.
Performances:
- Saturday, May 24th at 4:00pm
- Sunday, May 25th at 7:30pm
- Monday, May 26th 2:00pm
- Tuesday, May 26th at 7:30pm
- Wednesday, May 27th at 5:00pm
Venue: Chapel Theatre
Address: 172 Calhoun Street
Admission: $16 (general admission); $12 (students and seniors) plus ticket surcharge
Runtime: 2 hours including intermission
Musical Madness!
Join us for a night of Broadway hits starring alumni and current CofC students! Compete in games like Name that Tune and Musical Trivia along with an opportunity to join in on some dancing. Suitable for audiences of all ages.
Performances:
- Thursday, May 29th at 7:00pm
Venue: Simons Center Black Box Theatre
Address: 54 Saint Philip Street
Admission: $16 (general admission); $12 (students and seniors) plus ticket surcharge
Runtime: 1 hour without intermission
Under The Lights
This perennial Piccolo favorite highlights original College of Charleston student works. A series of ten-minute plays written by and performed by CofC students, Under the Lights features winners of the Franklin B. Ashley Playwriting Award, the Todd McNerney Student Playwriting Award, and more. Suitable for audiences 14+.
Performances:
- Saturday, May 31st at 7:00pm
- Sunday, June 1st at 7:00pm
Venue: Simons Center Black Box Theatre
Address: 54 Saint Philip Street
Admission: $10 (general admission) plus ticket surcharge
Runtime: 60 minutes without intermission
Staged Readings from the 16th Annual Todd McNerney Playwriting Contest
Staged readings of the Todd McNerney 16th Annual National Playwriting contest fi nalists. Previous winning plays have come from notable playwrights including Caridad Svich (lifetime Obie award winner), Sheila Cowley, Arthur M. Jolly, James Still, William Missouri Downs, and Donnetta Lavinia Grays. Free admission. Suitable for audiences 14+.
Readings:
- Thursday, May 29th at 2:00pm
- Friday, May 30th at 2:00pm (runner-up)
- Wednesday, June 4th at 2:00pm
- Thursday, June 5th at 2:00pm (winner)
Venue: Chapel Theatre
Address: 172 Calhoun Street
Admission: Free
Runtime: 90-120 minutes
The Red Suitcase
Annex Dance Company presents The Red Suitcase. The culmination of the Annex Dance Company’s annual residency with the Department of Theatre and Dance, The Red Suitcase is an evening-length work inspired by visual art displayed in a traveling art exhibition presented in a vintage suitcase. Curated by Mary Walker, the content of each box is filled by the work of eleven visual artists from all over the country. Premiered in 2016, Annex Dance Company is excited to bring the work back to the Piccolo Spoleto Festival with student performers and company collaborator/Department of Theatre and Dance faculty member Evan Parry. Suitable for audiences of all ages.
Performances:
- Friday, June 6th at 7:00pm
- Saturday, June 7th at 2:00pm
- Saturday, June 7th at 6:00pm
Venue: Simons Center Black Box Theatre
Address: 54 St. Philip Street
Admission: $16 (general admission); $12 (students and seniors) plus ticket surcharge
Runtime: 45 minutes without intermission
Dark/Magic: Shakespeare's Antagonists and Alchemists
CofC Stages and the Charleston Library Society present Dark/Magic: Shakespeare's Antagonists and Alchemists. Join us for a celebration of Shakespeare’s most deceptive and beguiling characters in a new collection of scenes, speeches, and sonnets from the Bard! A small ensemble of performers will weave together works from The Tempest, Macbeth, and more. As part of the College of Charleston Department of Theatre and Dance’s partnership with the Charleston Library Society, Dark/Magic will also be presented as a free performance as “Shakespeare on the Steps” during Second Sunday on the steps of CLS. Suitable for audiences 14+.
Performances:
- Saturday, June 7th at 12:00pm
- Saturday, June 7th at 7:30pm
Venue: Chapel Theatre
Address: 172 Calhoun Street
Admission: $16 (general admission); $12 (students and seniors) plus ticket surcharge
Runtime: 1 hour without intermission
Shakespeare on the Steps
Dark/Magic: Shakespeare's Antagonists and Alchemists
CofC Stages and the Charleston Library Society present Dark/Magic: Shakespeare's Antagonists and Alchemists. Join us for a celebration of Shakespeare’s most deceptive and beguiling characters in a new collection of scenes, speeches, and sonnets from the Bard! A small ensemble of performers will weave together works from The Tempest, Macbeth, and more. As part of the College of Charleston Department of Theatre and Dance’s partnership with the Charleston Library Society, Dark/Magic will also be presented as a free performance as “Shakespeare on the Steps” during Second Sunday on the steps of CLS. Suitable for audiences 14+.
Performance: Sunday, June 8th at 2:00pm
Venue: Charleston Library Society
Address: 164 King Street
Admission: FREE
Theater at Threshold Repertory Theatre
84 1/2 Society Street
So Long, 3108!
"So Long, 3108!" is a one-of-a-kind performance written and performed by acclaimed violinist and comedian Christian Zamora, and directed by Andy Livengood (Theatre 99, Butcher Stories). Blending the elegance of classical music with narrative storytelling, this emotionally rich performance explores the highs and lows of a young musician’s life, infusing moments of comedy and drama. Set against a classical music backdrop, the show brings together humor, heartbreak, and timeless music in a way that resonates with both classical music lovers and broader audiences. There’s a healthy dose of cursing, a little violence, and some Mozart.
- Saturday, May 24 at 8:00pm
- Sunday, May 25 at 2:30pm
- Saturday, May 31 at 3:00pm
- Saturday, June 7 at 8:00pm
Venue: Threshold Repertory Theatre
Address: 84 1/2 Society Street
A Yank in Scotland
A Yank in Scotland, or The Time I Lost My Wallet in the Highlands
The Highlands of Scotland, filled with misty moors and glens, rolling fields of heather, and ghosts from Scottish history, invite mystical ruminations, kindle existential questions, and spark the imagination to soar into higher and uncharted territory. Join Paul O’Brien, and Bonnie Prince Charlie, in the telling of one man’s story of loss and discovery as he searches for mystery, meaning, and a lost wallet in the Highlands of Scotland.
Performances:
- Sunday, May 25 at 6:00pm
- Tuesday, May 27 at 5:00pm
- Wednesday, May 28 at 7:30pm
- Tuesday, June 3 at 5:00pm
Venue: Threshold Repertory Theatre
Address: 84 1/2 Society Street
Musings from the Bar
Saddle on up to the theater and listen to a few tales from the Bar. Donnie Exelbierd, long time bartender at one of Charleston's favorite restaurants, Muse, will take you for a story-telling adventure with some humor, some seriousness, and some comforting musings. Find out what your local bar can mean to you! This is sure to be an entertaining and aMUSEing good time!
Performances:
- Monday, May 26 at 7:00pm
- Monday, June 2 at 7:00pm
- Thursday, June 5 at 7:00pm
- Friday, June 6 at 8:30pm
Venue: Threshold Repertory Theatre
Address: 84 1/2 Society Street
Eurydice
Eurydice back by popular demand! Our September selection for the Studio Spotlight Series is coming back for just three special performances at Threshold Repertory Theatre for Piccolo Spoleto 2025!
In Eurydice, Sarah Ruhl reimagines the classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story.
Directed by Julia Sorenson and featuring some of the area's most talented actors and actresses. Presented by The Flowertown Players.
Performances:
- Thursday, May 29 at 7:30pm
- Saturday, May 31 at 7:30pm
- Sunday, June 1 at 3:00pm
Venue: Threshold Repertory Theatre
Address: 84 1/2 Society Street
Admission: $25
Sylvia
This program contains some of Poe's best and most loved works told by six master storytellers. Join Threshold Rep as they perform these haunting tales for you, and immerse yourself in the intoxicating imagination of one of America's greatest writers. The show runs ninety minutes and consists of eleven of Poe's poems and short stories. This cast of six will open your mind in a whole new way to the phantasmagoric world of Edgar Allan Poe.
Performances:
- Friday, May 30 at 7:30pm
- Sunday, June 1 at 7:30pm
- Wednesday, June 4 at 7:30pm
- Saturday, June 7 at 4:00pm
Venue: Threshold Repertory Theatre
Address: 84 1/2 Society Street
Stage Reading and Talk Back of Hearts of Stone
Performances:
- Saturday, June 7 at 12:00pm
Venue: Threshold Repertory Theatre
Address: 84 1/2 Society Street
Piccolo Fringe at Theatre 99
280 Meeting Street
The Have Nots! Comedy Improv Company
The Have Nots! Comedy Improv Company (improv comedy) 1 hr 45 min
No scripts! All improv! Celebrating 30 years! This high-energy comedy improv show is entirely based on your audience suggestion so every show is different. The Have Nots! will perform their unique brand of improv comedy AND you never know who will join them on the stage! Come find out why critics say “The Have Nots! have it!”
Performances:
Venue: Theatre 99
Address: 280 Meeting Street B
Admission: $20
Mary Kay Has a Posse
Mary Kay Has a Posse (improv comedy) 50 minutes
Charleston's original all-female improv comedy group! Part talk show format (similar to The View), part long form improv, ALL funny! Bitingly witty, unpredictable, and politically incorrect, the ladies of “Posse Talk” break all the rules. “An unforgettable night of laughing ’til your face hurts.” Charleston City Paper If you are easily offended or feel that a woman's place is in the kitchen, stay home. (Adult audiences only)
Performances:
Venue: Theatre 99
Address: 280 Meeting Street B
Admission: $20
Take the Funny and Run
Take the Funny and Run (improv comedy) 1 hr 45 minutes
Some of the funniest improv you’ll see anywhere. Theatre 99 is Charleston’s year round home for improv comedy where audiences come to laugh until it hurts. Bring your suggestions for the quick-witted Theatre 99 ensemble members who will take your suggestions...and rock out hilarious unscripted scenes. Guaranteed to make you laugh!
Performances:
Venue: Theatre 99
Address: 280 Meeting Street B
Admission: $20
Clean Improv Comedy Show
Clean Improv Comedy Show (family friendly) 60 minutes
Have you ever been to an improv show and thought, "I'd love to bring my parents or my 10 year old, but it's just not clean enough for them"? Well, now we've got you covered! Theatre 99 is presenting a one hour hilarious short form show that is clean as a whistle. No need to take cover from "F" bombs. This show is chock-full of fun and is just as side-splittingly funny as what you've come to expect here at Theatre 99. All improv - all based on your suggestions.
This is a family friendly show. Bring the kids! (ages 8 and up)
Performances:
Venue: Theatre 99
Address: 280 Meeting Street B
Admission: $12
Impro Theatre's "Tennessee Williams Unscripted"
A completely improvised play in the style of Tennessee Williams (improv comedy) 60 minutes
Passionate smoldering secrets lurch beneath the surface of genteel society – and explode in a climax of accusation, confession and consequence. Inspired by Tennessee Williams’ masterful storytelling and delicious language, Impro Theatre starts with a single audience suggestion and builds improvised full-length plays that are hilarious, yet tragic as a Southern belle’s broken heart.
Cast:
Kelly Holden-Bashar
Dan O'Connor
Edi Patterson
Cory Rouse
"Impro Theatre has evolved into a powerhouse improvisational company in full-length shows that are off-the-cuff and consistently hilarious. An indigenous Los Angeles treasure, the company should be seen — and reseen!" - LOS ANGELES TIMES
Performances:
Venue: Theatre 99
Address: 280 Meeting Street B
Admission: $25
Doozy
Performances:
Venue: Theatre 99
Address: 280 Meeting Street B
Admission: $25
Musical Theater at The Charleston Museum
Fantasmagoriana: An Immersive Musical Theatre Experience
In the summer of 1816, Lord Byron invites you to join him and several of his contemporaries at the Villa Diodati. Witness the events of the year without a summer that led to the creation of Frankenstein, and become a part of the iconic stories read and written that inspired then 19 year old Mary Shelley. With a flurry of love and betrayal, sleepless nights and near death experiences, duels and an unending storm, every person in attendance will walk away with their own ghost. Some, a great story; others, the specter of their own end.
Join us for a week long revue as a part of Piccolo Spoleto, and experience theatre like never before. You aren't just watching the show- you're a part of history, and the stories within. Written by a local composer, Cash, this show is brought to life by the local talents of Elizabeth Hoyland as Mary Shelley, Joshua Broome as Lord Byron, Matthew Foster as John Polidori, all reprising their roles from the premiere production, and introducing Connor Daugherty as Percy Shelley, and the composer herself Savannah Cash as Claire Clairmont, featuring Shenwei Geng on the piano.
This event is for age 18+ unless noted
Performances:
- Tuesday, June 3 at 6:00pm
- Wednesday, June 4 at 6:00pm
- Thursday, June 5 at 6:00pm
- Friday, June 6 at 6:00pm
- Saturday, June 7 at 2:00pm, Kid Friendly Performance. This performance is an abridged version of the show.
- Saturday, June 7 at 6:00pm
Venue: The Charleston Museum
Address: 360 Meeting Street
Admission: $49-$109