Mission, Vision, Core Values, DEI Statement
About Greenville Theatre
Greenville Theatre is the Upstate’s oldest and largest locally producing professional theatre company.
Greenville Theatre is a 501-(C)(3) nonprofit organization serving the great state of South Carolina.
Our Mission
As an organization, we strive to inspire, educate, entertain, and connect our community through necessary art and storytelling.
Our Vision
Core Values
- Continually aspire to achieve artistic excellence
- Lead with kindness, respect, collaboration, and integrity
- Establish an environment of trust, creativity, support, and bravery for all artists
- Listen and respect our audience
- Conduct business in an ethical and fiscally responsible manner
- Provide outstanding service with an unmatched event experience
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
We have committed to formalized staff training in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from external experts. We will work together with them to uphold these commitments and positively impact our community through our art.
As a united organization, we promise to promote an environment that is kind, safe, welcoming, and truly equitable as an ongoing and intentional process of accountability and action.
The History of Greenville Theatre
The Beginning (1926 - 1944)
75 civic-minded individuals organize Greenville Theatre group into the “Greenville Little Theatre,” making it the first arts organization in the Upstate. Performances are held in the Fine Arts Auditorium of the Greenville Women’s College. Directors, actors, and all involved are community
volunteers.
Evolution (1945 - 1967)
After WWII, GLT reorganizes under the direction of Robert McLane. Performances are held at various locations including the Greenville High School auditorium where Mr. McLane teaches art and drama. By 1948, GLT has grown, and moves into a converted Air Force Glider Base movie theatre on Lowndes Hill Road.
Establishment on Heritage Green (1967 - 1993)
On April 11, 1967, the Greenville Little Theatre moves into its new $800,000 building on the site of the former Fine Arts building of the Woman’s College. GLT thrives for 23 years.
Growth and Expansion (1993 - 2021)
After a period of financial difficulty, Allen and Suzanne McCalla are appointed as Directors of the theatre in 1993. A successful $1.5 million capital campaign is used to renovate the facility, a $1,000,000 endowment is raised and GT on Tour is created, bringing high quality, professional theatre to young audiences across the Upstate. In 2019, Greenville Little Theatre returned to its original name – Greenville Theatre.
Resurgence and Modern Era (2021 - Present)
After a 3 year nationwide search, the board of directors appointed Max Quinlan as the Producing Artistic Director for Greenville Theatre. Previously, Max served as the Resident Director for the 2014 Broadway revival of Les Misérables, the Resident Director of the National Tour of The Phantom of the Opera, and Associate Director of the new Andrew Lloyd Webber revue, Unmasked at Papermill Playhouse. In his short time with GT, Max has produced and directed the top 3 selling shows of all time at Greenville Theatre with Mamma Mia!, Shrek the Musical, and Elf the Musical.
