The Footlight Players launched in 1931 with a series of one-act plays directed by Lt. A celebrated artist and vocalists in Charleston (and current Best Actor nominee for the Charleston City Paper Best Of award), Porter has appeared on stage in many memorable roles in Charleston, including “Peter & the Starcatcher,” “Cabaret,” “Hedwig & the Angry Inch,” “The 39 Steps,” “Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story,” “Shear Madness” and “Hairspray.” He recently headlined his own sold-out cabaret show, “An Evening With Brian Porter,” as part of What If?’s popular Piano Bar Series. Porter is also the co-founder of the local theatre company What If? Productions, which is now in its eighth season in Charleston. I am confident I can bring a lot to the company and infuse it with my passion and love of the performing arts.” “I look forward to working with this exceptional team of artists to create something truly unique and beautiful for Charleston. “I am delighted to be a part of such an historical and dynamic theatrical fixture in Charleston,” Porter said. He plans to build on Footlight’s mission to provide quality and affordable community theatre as well as continuing to promote the theatre as a unique space for Charleston special events and performances. Now, Porter will take on the role of leading one of Charleston’s most prestigious community theatres. Porter maintained ties to local theatre and served as interim executive director of OnStage Atlanta.Īfter several years in Atlanta, Porter relocated to Charleston, working as media director of Davis Advertising before returning to his theatrical roots and joining Charleston Stage. He then co-founded a theatre company in Michigan before relocating to Atlanta to pursue a career in media advertising. After graduation, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, as a member of Playhouse on the Square’s Resident Acting Company. Porter has been performing on stage since childhood, earning a bachelor’s degree in theatre in performance from Purdue University in Indiana. Under Broadwater’s leadership, The Footlight Players expanded its theatrical season while providing opportunities for other theatres and performance groups to rent the Queen Street theatre during its off-weekends and summer season. She also was a member of Footlight’s board of directors before taking on the executive director title. Porter replaces Jane Broadwater, who retired in January after serving three years as executive director.
Porter spent the last decade on staff at Charleston Stage, most recently as director of administration where he oversaw daily operations of the professional theatre company. – The Footlight Players has hired long-time thespian Brian Porter as executive director of Charleston’s longest-producing theatre company. You can make a reservation by telephone (219) 874-4035 or via the internet at S.C. Since seating may be limited, reservations are recommended. The performances are held at the Footlight Theater at 1705 Franklin Street in Michigan City. To keep all patrons safe, the theater is keeping the wearing of masks mandatory to patrons that attend.
The production will be less than an hour long and is free admittance to the public. That will be followed by performances on Saturday 6/26 at 7:30 and a matinee on Sunday 6/27. Savannah will be awarded her scholarship on opening night, Friday 6/25. The next offering is a 3 day performance of ALICE’S HEAVENLY FOLLY, a musical revue. The theater has also announced that the theater is opening after closing for over a year due to the pandemic. The membership of the Footlight Players of Michigan City is proud to have Savannah Holley as the recipient of this year’s award and welcome her as a new member of the organization. She has hopes to continue her avocation of community theater while pursuing an opera career. She will be going to Indiana University in Bloomington and applying for Jacobs School of Music majoring in vocal performance on an opera tract.
Savannah plans to continue her education in music. She has appeared in productions of DARK OF THE MOON, GHOST, THE MUSICAL, THE LION KING, and DAD’S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE. Holley has taken voice lessons for 6 years, dance instruction for 11 years, and plays piano, French horn, and trumpet.
The scholarship is for $1,000.00 funded by donations from theater patrons. The recipient this year will be 16 year old Michigan City High School senior, Savannah Holley. Komendera Theatrical Scholarship” was named in honor of its namesake’s more than 35 years of dedication to the Footlight Players, Inc.