CROWNS is coming
CROWNS: A GOSPEL MUSICAL STAGE PLAY
comes to the Arts Center in October
The curtain will be open and stage the setting for the exciting gospel musical play CROWNS at the Simpsonville Arts Center this October.
Community theater "Clark Nesbitt’s No Dreams Deferred productions unlimited" will produce CROWNS: A Gospel Musical Stage Play for the Arts Center auditorium on Oct. 6 - Oct. 8 and Oct. 13 - Oct. 15. Nesbitt, an actor and director, quoted "No Dreams Deferred" Production Team Member Latoya Young when asked what he is most excited about for CROWNS.
“‘The story telling,’” said Nesbitt, recalling Young’s words. “‘The stories are very much relatable to so many growing up in the Black church and community.’”
Nesbitt added that the stories from CROWNS are “born” in South Carolina, making them even more relateable.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to share traditional stories born through the experience—whether they be pain, joy, or sorrow, of Black people: their traditions and culture,” Nesbitt said. Who better to tell the story that’s their own!”
CROWNS is an exploration of Black history and identity as seen through the eyes of a young Black woman who has come down South to stay with her aunt after her brother is killed in Brooklyn, N.Y. Characters use hats of exquisite variety to tell tales about the etiquette of hats and their historical and contemporary social functioning.
Arts Center Manager Melissa Sturgis said the debut of CROWNS on the Arts Center stage is the start of an important and fruitful partnership with "No Dreams Deferred."
“The stage in the Simpsonville Arts Center is a stage for telling the stories that need to be told, stories from a diversity of communities, especially marginalized ones,” Sturgis said. “CROWNS is a story that presents truths for all of us to understand in creative and dynamic ways. On top of that, the musical features genres of gospel music, dance and rap all on the same stage.”
With four dates, CROWNS is the first production by Nesbitt’s community theater to open on the Arts Center auditorium stage. Nesbitt said he hopes the audience will tap their toes and clap their hands at the shows.
“The 'No Dreams Deferred' Production Team desires for the audience to experience an extraordinary cast sharing the stories of their ancestors, grandparents and community,” Nesbitt said. “These stories and songs will have you laughing, clapping and yes, maybe even shedding a tear! It’s a family event!”
Tickets for CROWNS are on sale now on eventbrite.com.
