Charleston, South Carolina, a city steeped in history, proudly holds the distinction of being home to America’s first theatre – the Dock Street Theatre. Originally opened on February 12, 1736, this iconic venue at the corner of Church and Dock Street (now Queen Street) marked a pivotal moment in American performing arts, designed exclusively for theatrical productions. It even hosted the first opera performance in America, Flora, solidifying its place in the nation’s cultural heritage.
However, the nascent theatre’s journey was tragically interrupted by the Great Fire of 1740, which swept through Charleston’s French Quarter, presumably destroying the original Dock Street Theatre. The site lay dormant for several decades before experiencing a rebirth in 1809 with the construction of the Planter’s Hotel. In 1835, the hotel’s Church Street facade was enhanced with the addition of an elegant wrought iron balcony and stately sandstone columns, features that would later be incorporated into the theatre’s reincarnation. The Planter’s Hotel became a notable establishment, attracting prominent figures such as the celebrated 19th-century actor Junius Brutus Booth, father of the renowned actors Edwin and John Wilkes Booth. Adding to its rich tapestry, Robert Smalls, an African-American Civil War hero, worked as a waiter within the hotel’s dining room before his daring escape from slavery. It was also within these walls that Charleston’s famous Planter’s Punch was first concocted and served.
As the Civil War concluded, the Planter’s Hotel faced a period of decline, eventually facing the threat of demolition. Yet, in 1935, a new chapter began when Milton Pearlstine, along with Mayor Burnet Maybank and other influential citizens, advocated for the building’s preservation. During the Depression era, the site was transformed into a WPA (Works Progress Administration) project. Remarkably, the present Dock Street Theatre was constructed within the existing shell of the Planter’s Hotel. The hotel’s grand foyer was repurposed as the theatre’s grand foyer, and the former dining room became the box office lobby. Adding to the theatre’s charm, woodwork and mantels from the Radcliffe-King Mansion (circa 1799) were salvaged and integrated into the design. Charleston architect Albert Simons, drawing inspiration from 18th-century London playhouses, designed the new stage house and auditorium in the hotel’s courtyard. Local carpenters, employed through the WPA project, utilized locally sourced black cypress wood to create the theatre’s warm and inviting interior. Following a significant $350,000 renovation, the Historic Dock Street Theatre celebrated its second grand opening on November 26, 1937, with author DuBose Heyward (Porgy) as writer-in-residence.
The Historic Dock Street Theatre’s evolution continued into the 21st century. On March 18, 2010, it reopened for the third time after a comprehensive three-year, $19 million renovation undertaken by the City of Charleston. This extensive project modernized the historic venue with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, contemporary heating and air conditioning, updated restrooms and seating, and enhanced accessibility for all patrons. Furthermore, the theatre was structurally reinforced to withstand seismic activity and equipped with advanced soundproofing to eliminate external noise disruptions.
Today, under the ownership and management of the City of Charleston, the Historic Dock Street Theatre stands as a vibrant hub for the city’s cultural landscape, poised to commence its fourth century. It proudly hosts renowned cultural events such as the Charleston Literary Festival, MOJA Festival, and Spoleto Festival USA. Charleston Stage, the theatre’s resident professional company since 1978, enriches the venue with over 100 performances annually, attracting over 49,000 attendees. Moreover, Charleston Stage provides enriching educational opportunities, welcoming over 15,000 South Carolina students each year to special school day performances at the Historic Dock Street Theatre, ensuring its legacy extends to future generations.
