Limestone University & Gaffney Little Theatre Begin New Theatrical Partnership

A new campus-community partnership between Limestone University and the Gaffney Little Theatre will soon light up the stage with new productions and new performance opportunities.

Located on Leadmine Street inside the Bob Campbell Field House, University officials recently announced that the Limestone Theatre is now the new home of the Gaffney Little Theatre.

The long-time Gaffney Little Theatre facility on Robinson Street was deemed unsafe in 2020, which left GLT without a permanent home. Productions were put on hold until they found a temporary location at Gaffney High School’s auditorium for a performance of “Dear Edwina, Jr.” this past summer.

The new agreement with Limestone will enable the Gaffney Little Theatre to produce its own shows and also collaborate with students and faculty who are a part of the University’s theatre program.

The first venture as part of the new relationship is already underway as together Limestone Theatre and the Gaffney Little Theatre will present the musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” on November 4-6 at 7:30 each evening. The production is under the direction of Julie Skrzypek. Limestone Professor of Music Dr. David Thompson is serving as the musical director.

Tickets will be available at the door starting one hour prior to each performance. General admission tickets are $12 each for adults, and $10 each for students and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE. 

“Limestone and the Gaffney Little Theatre have shared stages, productions, and tremendous contributions to the community over the last two decades,” said Dr. Gena Poovey, the University’s Chair of Visual & Performing Arts. She also serves at Limestone as Professor of Choral/Vocal Education and Director of Choral Activities. “This new venture will help both organizations to capitalize on resources and provide an even richer theatre arts presence for the upstate of South Carolina. We are delighted to begin this new theatrical journey with our friends from the Gaffney Little Theater.”

For the GLT, the agreement with Limestone will breathe new life into its program after an engineering report funded by Cherokee County Council 13 months ago deemed it cost prohibitive to renovate its former home. 

“This is just the beginning of many opportunities for our community,” explained Gaffney Little Theatre President Patty Bloomer. “The combined efforts of community theatre advocates with the University’s students and faculty will only enhance the cultural climate of our area.

“Gaffney Little Theatre is thrilled about a new partnership with Limestone Theatre,” she continued. “This new home for Gaffney Little Theatre will provide new and exciting opportunities for our community, as well as for the Limestone University theatre students. The possibilities are endless.” 

Limestone University Theatre is a comprehensive theatre training program that offers Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts programs in both theatre and musical theatre.

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor.

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake.

Skrzypek holds a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts from Clayton State University. She has directed at Synchronicity Theatre, Dallas Theatre, Essential Theatre, Emory University, and Clayton State University, as well as partnered and stage managed with many Atlanta Theatre’s along with Flying Carpet Theatre (New York), MAPP International (Los Angeles) and Chez Bushwick (New York).