News Summary
The Aiken Community Theatre recently marked the end of its 73rd season with a Starlight Gala at Newberry Hall, celebrating achievements and honoring dedicated members. The event also served as a fundraiser for youth scholarships and educational programs as ACT prepares for its upcoming 74th season, featuring diverse productions. Highlights include a musical opening and notable performances throughout the year, maintaining accessibility with affordable ticket prices.
Aiken, South Carolina – The Aiken Community Theatre (ACT) recently celebrated the conclusion of its 73rd season with a Starlight Gala held on August 16 at Newberry Hall. The gala featured an evening of dinner and live performances from the year’s actors, marking an important milestone for the community theatre.
The event also served as a platform to honor standout individuals in the organization. Three prestigious awards were presented during the gala: the Rising Star Award, the Heart of the Theater Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award. These awards acknowledge the contributions of individuals who have made significant impacts on the theatre and its mission.
Mary Beth Westbrook, chair of the fundraising committee for ACT, highlighted the critical role fundraising and community support play in the organization’s ability to continue offering quality theatre experiences. The gala was designed to raise funds necessary to support the theatre’s mission and featured a call for donations targeting youth scholarships and educational programming.
Looking ahead, ACT is set to launch its 74th season on September 5, 2025, opening with the musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Performance dates for this production are scheduled for September 5, 6, 12, and 13 at 7:30 PM, with an additional matinee on September 7 at 2 PM. Ticket prices for the musical are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students, and $17 for children.
As part of the upcoming season, ACT will present a series of diverse productions. In October, audiences can enjoy a comedy set in a Parisian café featuring historical figures Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso. November will see a Youth Wing production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, followed by a holiday classic, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, in December. The season will continue in February with an adaptation of The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, and then in April, attendees can experience a Pulitzer Prize-winning play centered around the life of a girl and a conservative banker’s son. The season will conclude in July with a production based on the 1980 film Fame, highlighting the journeys of students at a performing arts school.
Ticket prices for non-musical performances will generally be set at $20 for adults, maintaining the theatre’s commitment to accessibility for the community. The Starlight Gala not only celebrated the past achievements of ACT but also served as a reminder of the importance of ongoing support to continue enriching the local culture through live theatre.
The Aiken Community Theatre has been a cornerstone of the region’s arts scene since its founding in 1956, dedicated to providing exceptional live theatre experiences and educational opportunities for all community members. The organisation looks forward to another exciting season filled with engaging performances and community participation.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Aiken Community Theatre Holds 73rd Starlight Gala
- Post and Courier: Aiken Community Theatre Opens New Season
- Post and Courier: Aiken Community Theatre Fundraising Gala
- World Atlas: Best Towns in the United States to Retire Comfortably
- Post and Courier: A Bad Year for Tomatoes at Aiken Community Theatre
- Wikipedia: Aiken, South Carolina
- Google Search: Aiken Community Theatre
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- Encyclopedia Britannica: Aiken Community Theatre
- Google News: Aiken Community Theatre
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