Collaboration Among Charleston's Three Largest Arts Organizations To Promote Holiday Events

For Immediate Release, November 2009

Charleston Ballet Theatre, Charleston Stage and Charleston Symphony Orchestra have announced their plans to once again partner to promote their 2009 holiday performances including “The Nutcracker”, “A Christmas Carol”, “The Gospel Christmas”, “Messiah” and “The Holiday Pops”. The three arts organizations will join forces under the umbrella brand of “Charleston Premier Arts – Come Celebrate With Us” (www.CharlestonPremierArts.com). This is the second year of this collaboration with financial assistance from The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.

“The holidays and Charleston are a magnificent combination. The collaboration of these three superb arts organizations offer a wonderful opportunity to make the holidays in Charleston especially memorable. This holiday season I encourage families and visitors to take advantage of this outstanding partnership and enjoy our thriving arts and cultural events,” said Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr.

“By working together, we all benefit from maximizing our marketing dollar, attracting more residents and visitors to our performances and continuing to build the reputation of the greater Charleston area as an arts center. All three organizations will benefit and we at the Charleston Symphony Orchestra are thrilled to be a part of this initiative,” said Kathleen Wilson, Interim Executive Director, Charleston Symphony Orchestra.

"Charleston Stage is delighted to be collaborating with two of Charleston's finest performing arts organizations for this season's amazing and exciting lineup of holiday performances." Julian Wiles, Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Charleston Stage.

"It is a total win-win situation for these three dynamic performing arts organization. The creativity of this collaboration pushes the envelope to create a larger footprint in marketing our holiday offerings. The sky is the limit!" Jill Eathorne Bahr, Resident Choreographer, Charleston Ballet.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this arts collaboration assisting to attract more visitors to Charleston. We are proud that this project was made possible by the Arts Charleston Fund of Coastal Community Foundation created by the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation." said George C. Stevens, President and CEO of Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina.

Celebrating its 22nd year as a professional dance company, Charleston Ballet Theatre has achieved national prominence through their dedication to artistic integrity and the provision of a distinctive repertory that includes the renowned choreography of George Balanchine, José Limon, and Resident Choreographer Jill Eathorne Bahr. An extensive dance education program & significant and eclectic repertoire distinguishes them as South Carolina's world-class professional dance company.

Charleston Stage, South Carolina's largest professional resident theatre, produces over 120 performances each season ranging from Broadway musicals to original works to cutting edge contemporary drama. Charleston Stage offers extensive education programs including performances for school groups, after school acting classes, in school ArtReach workshops, and High School Apprenticeships. Charleston Stage's mission is to produce live theatre of the highest caliber focusing on plays which excite and incite the imagination, and include indigenous and original works that celebrate the rich heritage and history of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the largest full-time performing arts organization in South Carolina, has been a partner in weaving the cultural fabric of Charleston since 1936. The Orchestra’s mission is to promote the enjoyment and appreciation of music among visitors and residents of the Charleston area, and to make music a vital part of the area’s cultural life. Its artistic excellence, youth education programs and community outreach have made The Charleston Symphony Orchestra a central component in the rich cultural foundation of this region.