Our training focuses on the individual artist's needs. We embrace the richness and diversity of our art form and seek to educate intellectually curious, confident and fully engaged artists.
Our Programs
Our programs include something for everyone.
Click on the program to learn more.
Our faculty are dedicated to training the next generation of Theatre Artists.
Our People
A world class faculty and staff with experience at all levels of theatre, dance, film, and television.
Working on stage is an important part of the experience. With two theatres, state of the art equipment and one of the largest college production studios on the east coast, our students experience the work of the artist.
2024 -2025 Season
A diverse season designed to challenge both our students and our audience. Join us.
Virtual tickets may be obtained online by visting tickets.coastal.edu.
MACBETH
William Shakespeare’s psychological thriller takes the stage as magic, witchcraft, prophecy, and murder come together in the iconic tale of Macbeth and his Lady risking everything for the ultimate prize. Eventually, their ambitions unravel into a world riddled with paranoia, civil war, political turmoil, and inevitable loss. Directed by Thom Penn, senior lecturer in CCU’s Department of Theatre.
Thursday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m.;
Friday, Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.;
Saturday, Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m.;
Sunday, Oct. 13, 2 p.m.
with CCU discounts available
CARRIE: THE MUSICAL
Friday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.;
Saturday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.;
Sunday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m. (ASL interpreted);
Thursday, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m.;
Friday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.;
Saturday, Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m.;
Sunday, Nov. 3, 2 p.m.
with CCU discounts available
ALICE BY HEART
Alice by Heart is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend, Alfred, are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland. As they travel through the tale, Alice by Heart explores the poignancy of first love, coming to terms with loss, and finding the courage to move forward. It encourages all of us to celebrate the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times.
Alice By Heart Book by Steven Sater and Jessie Nelson Music by Duncan Sheik Lyrics by Steven Sater Directed and Choreographed by Alison Levenberg Musical Direction by Alex Lefevre.
Friday, February 7th, 7:30pm
Saturday, February 8th, 7:30pm
Sunday, February 9th, 2:00pm – ASL Interpreted Performance
Thursday, February 13th, 10:00am (Student Matinee) – Reduced cost admission ($3)
Thursday, February 13th, 7:30pm
Friday, February 14th, 7:30pm
Saturday, February 15th, 7:30pm
Sunday, February 16th, 2:00pm
Wheelwright Auditorium
Admission: •$25 for adults •$20 for alumni, faculty/staff, OLLI, seniors, teens (aged 12-17), and groups of 10 or more •$5 for any students (Horry County, HGTC, CCU)
The Black Pearl
Spanning generations, The Black Pearl is an epic story of love and loss set against the majestic beauty and rich history of Atlantic Beach, South Carolina. The Wise family fights to protect the integrity of one of the last Black-owned beach communities in America - if only they could stop fighting each other. Written by Cynthia Grace Robinson and directed by Cezar Williams, The Black Pearl will have its world-premiere, full production here at Coastal Carolina University. This play commission was made possible by the generous support of Nancy and Billy Cave.
The Black Pearl Written by Cynthia Grace Robinson Directed by Cezar Williams.
Friday, March 28th, 7:30pm
Saturday, March 29th, 2:00pm
Saturday, March 29th, 7:30pm
Sunday, March 30th, 2:00pm – ASL Interpreted Performance
Thursday, April 3rd, 10:00am (Student Matinee) – Reduced cost admission ($3)
Thursday, April 3rd, 7:30pm Show 7 Friday, April 4th, 10:00am (Student Matinee) – Reduced cost admission ($3)
Friday, April 4th, 7:30pm
Saturday, April 5th, 7:30pm
Sunday, April 6th, 2:00pm
Admission: •$19 for adults •$15 for alumni, faculty/staff, OLLI, seniors, teens (aged 12-17), and groups of 10 or more •$3 for any students (Horry County, HGTC, CCU)
Stories That Soar!
Literacy Connects’ Stories that Soar! combines literacy and the arts to strengthen school and district communities and empowers young students to find their voice. Inspired by the story-eating Magic Box, elementary school authors seize the opportunity to feed it original stories in any genre and any language. Stories that Soar! brings those stories to life on stage when university students collaborate to conceptualize, script, and rehearse a dynamic, one-of-a-kind performance. This student-driven project aligns with National Core Arts Standards and inspires students, teachers, and audiences by putting student words and creative ideas center stage. This project is a special partnership with Literacy Connects of Tucson, Arizona, to launch a national campaign to bring Stories that Soar! to schools, colleges, universities, and communities throughout the country – and Coastal Carolina University’s Theatre Department was selected as their pilot collaborator!
Stories That Soar! Written in collaboration with elementary school students in the Horry County School District Directed by Steven James Higginbotham.
Thursday, April 10th, 10:00am (Student Matinee)
Thursday, April 10th, 7:00pm
Friday, April 11th, 10:00am (Student Matinee)
Friday, April 11th, 7:00pm
Saturday, April 12th, 2:00pm
Saturday, April 12th, 7:00pm
Sunday, April 13th, 2:00pm – ASL Interpreted
Edwards Black Box Theater
Admission: TBA
CCU Theatre: Discovery Series
Student-Led Projects for 2024-2025
BOYS’ PLAY
Friday, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m. And 9 p.m.
I AND YOU 
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 15-16, 7:30 p.m.
THE LEMON
Written by Grace Gardner and Directed by Avery Walters
Edwards Black Box Theater
Admission: TBA
Ticket Prices for 2024-2025:
For PLAYS, we will charge:
- $19 for adults
- $15 for alumni, faculty/staff, OLLI, seniors, teens (aged 12-17), and groups of 10 or more
- $3 for any students (Horry County, HGTC, CCU)
For MUSICALS, we will charge:
- $25 for adults
- $20 for alumni, faculty/staff, OLLI, seniors, teens (aged 12-17), and groups of 10 or more
- $5 for any students (Horry County, HGTC, CCU)
For the DISCOVERY SERIES and SIGNATURE EVENTS, we will charge:
- $10 for adults
- $7 for alumni, faculty/staff, OLLI, seniors, teens (aged 12-17), and groups of 10 or more
- $3 for any students (Horry County, HGTC, CCU)
- NOTE: Senior Showcase ticket holders will have the option to donate money in addition to the ticket price to support students traveling to NYC!
There will be no charge to attend the NEW WORKS series.
The Fabulous Five-Show Pass!
The CCU Theatre Department is proud to announce the launch of a ticket package for the 2024-2025 CCU Season! Patrons can purchase a CCU Theatre 5-show pass, which will provide access to all of the following:
- one ticket in the appropriate audience category for 1 Mainstage musical
- one ticket in the appropriate audience category for 1 Mainstage play
- one ticket in the appropriate audience category for 2 Discovery Series productions
- one ticket in the appropriate audience category for 1 of the dance concerts
- NOTE: Tickets for Senior Showcase and The E.A.R.T.H. Festival are not included in the 5-show package.
We will charge the following for a 5-show pass in each of the associated categories:
- $60 for adults ($74 value)
- $45 for alumni, faculty/staff, OLLI, seniors, and teens (aged 12-17) ($56 value)
- Not available for students
Pass holders will be given priority seating for all selected events, as possible. Pass holders will need to select their preferred performance dates in advance of attendance to ensure that seats will be available. We recommend selecting their preferred performance dates at least 4 weeks ahead of the production.
If ticket holders are not in attendance by two minutes before showtime and they do not contact the box office in advance, their seats may be sold to accommodate audience members who are waiting at the door.
No refunds, credits, or exchanges are given if a pass holder does not attend a performance.
Our alumni include Emmy nominees, Broadway, regional and touring performers, successful designers and technicians, and a Fulbright Scholar.
We would love to hear from you!
Our Featured Alumni
Exceedingly proud of all our alumni, we can only feature a few. Check back often as we celebrate our former students as they share their art around the world.
Kevin Kane ('98)
FOUNDING MEMBER, CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, THE COLLECTIVE
Kevin is a graduate of the William Esper Studio and a founding member and co-artistic director of The Collective NY where he has acted in and directed numerous productions since its inception. He was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor (NYIT) for his performance in the revival of SOMEONE WHO'LL WATCH OVER ME at NYTW. He served as special on-set consultant to Judd Apatow during the making of "Trainwreck." He won a Peabody Award, Television Critics Award and a Primetime Emmy with fellow Collective founding member Amy Schumer for his work on "Inside Amy Schumer." Film: Trainwreck, Uncle Silas, I'm Not Me TV: Inside Amy Schumer, SVU, White Collar, Blue Bloods.
Read More Here
Matthew McCoy ('12)
FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF BAY AREA MUSICALS
Before moving to San Francisco in 2012 after graduation, Matthew performed, directed, choreographed, and produced plays, musicals, cabarets, and magic production shows nationally and Internationally. He has worked professionally in the regional theatre circuit as well as in Las Vegas, New York, Florida, New Hampshire, Ohio, Paris, London, and Shanghai, China.
Matthew brings an extensive knowledge of Musical Theatre having received his undergraduate degree from Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. Prior to starting Bay Area Musicals, Matthew broke into the Bay Area scene serving as the Casting Director and Associate Artistic Director at Berkeley Playhouse until the summer of 2014---where he still works as a guest director, choreographer, and teaching artist.
Read More Here
Peter Seifarth ('17), Jess Bryant ('16)
CO-FOUNDERS, PANDA HEAD THEATRE
At the recent Cincinnati Fringe Festival Jess and Peter's Panda Head Theatre won Critic's Pick, and Artist's Pick of the Festival.
Panda Head Theatre is the passion project of Jess Bryant and Peter Seifarth--artistic partners from the southeast. They first met 10 years ago while performing in their high school's circus program. They reconnected when they both attended Coastal Carolina University, as students of the BFA physical theatre program.
Their studies took them to Italy, and there Panda Head was born. Drawing from their backgrounds of physical storytelling, they used what little they had to create The Great Invention--a show which kindled their desire to create original theatre that is accessible to people of all languages and cultural backgrounds.
In 2017 Peter won a Fullbright grant and is currently working and studying in Nepal, while Jessica is working and continuing her training at the Celebration Barn Theatre, an immersive physical theater center that draws artists from around the world who are seeking to train and create their own works. We look forward to what Panda Head Theatre, and these two talented artists, will bring to us in the future.
Read More Here.