Actors' Theatre of South Carolina

Actors' Theatre of South Carolina (ATSC) is a visionary non-profit 501(c)(3) professional film and theater company based in South Carolina. With a focus on exploring unsung American Revolutionary War heroes and other forgotten heroes of U.S. history, ATSC aims to inspire new generations through its creative works.

History and Mission

Founded by Chris Weatherhead and Clarence Felder, ATSC brings over 40 years of experience from the entertainment industry in New York City and Hollywood. The company's mission is to produce life-changing films and theater while offering training for actors, writers, and directors. This focus includes English literature and the portrayal of unsung heroes from the American Revolution, ensuring the continued success of ATSC's mission in South Carolina.

Productions and Impact

ATSC has showcased numerous live productions at esteemed events such as the Piccolo Spoleto International Theatre Festival and the National Black Theatre Festival. From 2000 to 2004, ATSC proudly sponsored a film festival in Charleston for emerging filmmakers. Their film division, Moving Images Group, has produced award-winning docudramas that explore lost freedom fighters of the American Revolution, including titles like All for Liberty, John Laurens’ War, and Echoes of Glory: Heroes from the American Revolution. These films have won numerous international awards and are distributed worldwide.

Projects and Initiatives

In addition to its historical focus, ATSC has initiated a long-term program called "Shakespeare For All," supported by SC Humanities. This program presents productions based on adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays, making them more accessible to a broader audience. Elements of this program have been performed in Charleston and other locations around the state, with scholars contributing to discussions on the value of Shakespeare's works.

Recent Developments

ATSC was recently awarded an educational grant from the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission (SC250) to enhance the community's understanding of South Carolina's unique American Revolution history. This grant supports the creation of educational materials and screenings of their docudramas across different counties in South Carolina.

Founders and Leadership

Chris Weatherhead and Clarence Felder, both veterans of the entertainment industry, have led ATSC with dedication and experience. Clarence Felder, in particular, is a renowned actor, playwright, and poet, having performed numerous roles in Shakespearean plays and adapting several of them for modern audiences.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_Actors_Studio_Theatre [2] https://www.ccpl.org/charleston-time-machine/drama-court-room-1735-charlestons-first-theater [3] https://whosonthemove.com/actors-theater-of-south-carolina-awarded-sc250-american-revolution-educational-grant-lost-heroes-of-the-american-revolution-2/ [4] https://actorstheaterofsc.org [5] https://schumanities.org/shakespeare-for-all/