Video courtesy of Explore Charleston produced in partnership with Vive Media.
Charleston, South Carolina, is not only renowned for its historical charm and vibrant culture but also as home to America’s first theater. The Dock Street Theater Charleston, originally opened on February 12, 1736, with a performance of The Recruiting Officer, holds a unique place in American theatrical history. Situated at the corner of Church Street and Dock Street, now Queen Street, this landmark was the first building in the nation exclusively dedicated to theatrical productions. Adding to its early prestige, the Dock Street Theater was also the venue for the first opera performance in America, Flora.
The original Dock Street Theater’s life was unfortunately cut short, likely succumbing to the Great Fire of 1740 that devastated much of Charleston’s French Quarter. However, the site’s cultural significance persisted. In 1809, the Planter’s Hotel was erected on the same grounds, incorporating elements that would later become part of the revitalized theater. By 1835, the hotel’s Church Street frontage was enhanced with the addition of a wrought iron balcony and distinguished sandstone columns. The Planter’s Hotel became a notable establishment, attracting figures like 19th-century actor Junius Brutus Booth, father to the famous actors Edwin and John Wilkes Booth. Before his heroic Civil War service, Robert Smalls, an African-American who famously commandeered a Confederate steamboat to freedom, worked as a waiter in the hotel’s dining room. The hotel also lays claim to introducing the celebrated Planter’s Punch cocktail, synonymous with Charleston hospitality.
Despite its initial grandeur, the Planter’s Hotel fell into disrepair after the Civil War and faced demolition. However, in 1935, a pivotal moment arrived when Milton Pearlstine offered the property to the City of Charleston. Under the advocacy of Mayor Burnet Maybank and other prominent citizens, the site was reborn as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great Depression. The present Dock Street Theater Charleston was constructed within the framework of the old Planter’s Hotel. The hotel’s former grand foyer was transformed into the theater’s grand foyer, and the dining room now serves as the box office lobby. Architect Albert Simons, inspired by 18th-century London playhouses, designed the new stage house and auditorium in the hotel’s courtyard. Remarkably, woodwork and mantels from the Radcliffe-King Mansion (circa 1799), which was demolished for another WPA project—the College of Charleston gymnasium—were salvaged and integrated into the theater’s second-floor drawing room. Local craftsmen employed by the WPA utilized native black cypress wood, giving the interior its distinctive warmth. Following a $350,000 renovation, the Historic Dock Street Theater Charleston celebrated its second grand opening on November 26, 1937, with author DuBose Heyward of Porgy fame as writer-in-residence.
The Dock Street Theater Charleston underwent a third significant reopening on March 18, 2010, after a comprehensive three-year, $19 million renovation by the City of Charleston. This extensive project modernized the historic venue, incorporating state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, contemporary climate control, updated restrooms, and new seating arrangements. Crucially, the theater was seismically reinforced and made fully accessible to people with disabilities. Enhanced soundproofing was also implemented to eliminate external noise interference during performances.
Today, owned and managed by the City of Charleston, the Historic Dock Street Theater Charleston is poised to commence its fourth century as a cornerstone of Charleston’s artistic and cultural landscape. It hosts numerous prestigious cultural events, including the Charleston Literary Festival, MOJA Festival, and Spoleto Festival USA. Charleston Stage, the theater’s resident professional company since 1978, stages over 100 performances annually, attracting more than 49,000 patrons. Furthermore, Charleston Stage provides special school day performances at the Dock Street Theater Charleston, enriching the cultural experiences of over 15,000 South Carolina students each year. The Dock Street Theater Charleston continues to be a vibrant and essential destination for arts and culture enthusiasts.
