Are You Ready for a Change?
Visit One of Our Key Sponsors!
Actors' Theatre of South Carolina was given a generous Artistic Vitality Grant by The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.
As a result, a variety of activities have been possible this year, including the new Family Division of the Felder Film Festival and Movie Camp for Youth!
DVD AVAILABLE NOW:
THE SEIGE OF CHARLESTON
This Revolutionary War siege was one of the most significant events in American History.
Now the reenactment of that event, organized by Craig Hadley, has been captured on DVD.
"The 225th Anniversary of the Seige of Charleston was a total success -
the most fun I have ever had organizing an event!"
-Michael Grenier, 64th Regiment of Foot
Charleston 225th Seige British Commander
"Absolutely stirring! The Seige of Charleston was my greatest experience in thirty years as a
re-enactor - it made me remember why we do it. This is our gift to the next generation."
-Kip Carter, President,
NEW ACQUISITION MILITIA, SC
(originally organized in 1775)
"Two bayonets up for THE SEIGE OF CHARLESTON!
One of the most magnificent gatherings of historians, re-enactors and
-Kip Carter, President,
NEW ACQUISITION MILITIA, SC
(originally organized in 1775)
"Two bayonets up for THE SEIGE OF CHARLESTON!
One of the most magnificent gatherings of historians, re-enactors and authentic equipment, on such a large scale that I have ever attended.
It is most gratifying to see this kind of focus on The Revolutionary War."
-Mark Hall, BOAR'S HEAD TRADERS
LIVING HISTORY! WAR COUNCILS! BATTLES!
ARTILLERY * ENCAMPMENTS * SKIRMISHES
NOW AVAILABLE: $19.99 + 2.50 SHIPPING/HANDLING
(allow 7 weeks for delivery)
AN MIG PRODUCTION
Directed by Nick Smith
Edited by Ros & Nick Smith
Executive producer, Clarence Felder
Produced by Chris Weatherhead
Special thanks to...
Craig Hadley, event organizer
Vera Ford, Marketing Director, Drayton Hall
George McDaniel, Director of Drayton Hall
The National Trust for Historic Preservation,
Taylor Drayton Nelson, Managing Director of Magnolia Plantation,
which donated its field for all battles as well as hosting the Continental Army Camp
Jim Sawgrass, Deep Forest Native American Programs
FLASH!!
5th Annual FELDER FILM FEST - Free Piccolo Event!!
JUNE 4 & 5 - WEDS. & THURS. 7:00 PM TO 9:00 PM
BALLROOM, HOLIDAY INN FOLLY BEACH
#1 CENTER STREET - Park on side street please!
2007-2008 SEASON
September 18 2007, Tuesday @7:00 pm "Captain Felder’s Cannon"
The play that inspired the independent feature ...
Stars Clarence Felder, Chris Weatherhead, Charles Venning, Miles Pittman & Michael Easler. Orangeburg Fine Arts Center, 649 Riverside Drive, Call (803) 536-4074 for ticket info or visit: Oarts@bellsouth.net
October 20, Saturday
Folly Beach Fine Arts Festival
performances to be announced
October 21, Sunday ,@ 3:00 pm "The Illiad" A Warrior’s Journey
based on Homer’s Classic, by Clarence Felder
Stars TV & film veteran, Mr. Felder, with comentary by scholar, Dr. Glenn James.
BOSTICK AUDITORIUM, RICHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY, 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC - FREE TO THE PUBLIC --CALL (803) 929-3457 for info...
October 24, Weds. @ 7:00 pm
"SEVEN AGES OF MAN: Shakespeare‘s Saints & Sinners"
Stars Miles Pittman, members of the Chamber Music Charleston, & soloist, Bettina Beard. The Citadel, Mark Clark Auditorium
December 22 (3:00 & 7:00 pm) , 23 (3:00 & 7:00 pm) , 24 (3:00 pm) -
"A Child’s Christmas in Wales"
the Dylan Thomas classic memoir starring film, TV & theatre veteran, Clarence Felder & members of Chamber Music Charleston. A special collaboration of Actors' Theatre of South Carolina, Chamber Music of Charleston & The Footlight Players Theatre!
@ Footlight Players Theatre #20 Queen Street, Charleston. Call 722-4487 for info.
2008
February 24 - Sunday, 3:00 pm, "Beethoven: His Women & His Music"
Stars veteran film, TV, and Broadway actor, Clarence Felder with members of Chamber Music Charleston, "Holy City Series" @ Circular Congregational Church
150 meeting Street, Charleston
for tickets call: (843) 763-4941
February 25 - Monday @ 7:00 pm, "Beethoven: His Women & His Music"
Stars veteran film, TV, and Broadway actor, Clarence Felder
with members of Chamber Music Charleston
for Kiawah Island House Concert Series
@ The Early Home, 206 Fiddler’s Court
Stars veteran film, TV, and Broadway actor, Clarence Felder, with members of Chamber Music Charleston
BOSTICK AUDITORIUM, RICHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY, 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC - FREE TO THE PUBLIC --CALL (803) 929-3457
March 14, Friday, "Pirates! The Revenge of Colonel Rhett"
by Clarence Felder & Michael Easler
Starring Clarence Felder, Boo Sheppard & Michael Easler
North Charleston Performing Arts Dinner Theatre Series, @ Charleston Convention Center -
March -- "Tides of March" Folly Spring Festival
June 4th & 5th Fifth Annual Felder Film Festival
Family Film Festival June 1st 2-4 p.m.
One Center Street
Folly Beach, South Carolina 29439
Ph:843-588-6464 ext. 5251
Fax:843-588-2603
The Only Thing We Overlook Is The Beach!
CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR "CAPTAIN FELDER'S CANNON"
"CAPTAIN FELDER'S CANNON" HITS THE MARK!
A rare combination of superb writing, excellent characterizations, minimalist staging and "revolutionary" props forged a bond on the stage of the Citadel's Mark Clark Hall's Buyer Auditorium last night. The cannon roared and the Citadel's campus must have lit up with Captain Felder's Cannon - at least for that hour in our lives.
No theatrical flight of fancy here--We were instantly airlifted to unknown territory, a plot of land, nestled precariously, in the backwoods of the Lowcountry--only to discover and relive, for the first time, perhaps, the stark realities and truths of a bloody rebellion in 1776. Through the story line, beautifully poetic words crafted by Clarence Felder, and lyrical voices of the cast, we were drawn into their web. We snapped to attention as a result of the profound messages of the storyteller/actors.
We listened and learned of the lives of five characters--through their minds, spirits and emotions - Captain Felder, a British Tory Captain, an African American friend who fought with Felder, Felder's wife, and his elder son--a mixed generation that banded together to struggle...FOR LIBERTY. "FOR LIBERTY " is the title of a forthcoming docudrama film about this same story, also produced by the team of Clarence Felder and Chris Weatherhead. At the beginning of the performance last night, we were treated to a two minute trailer - a sneak preview of the film.
At the heart of the revolutionaries' battles in 1776, The central character of Captain Henry Felder was played by a direct descendant, Clarence Felder, the ninth great-grandson of Henry Felder of The Orangeburg District. Felder, in his professional experience and long-held theatrical exposure and wisdom, gave us full measure with his interpretation, punctuated with rapid, cannon-fire, bombastic speech. From the mounds of images, one could vicariously relive the agony and ecstasy of such military charged history. He retells the history of his family, from revealing the "character" and intrinsic nature of the "Switzers," to his family's immigration to the Colonies. He expounds on the cruel fate and challenges of holding on to his Orangeburg County land against both the fiercely protective and aggressive Cherokees, and then the blood-thirsty British.
Chris Weatherhead, playing Captain Felder's wife (and Clarence Felder's true life mate) painted a beautiful portrait of her slain husband, and expounded in a delicate, feminine, but hearty voice, about her husband and their courageous and loyal collaboration to fight. Ms. Weatherhead shined in all her acting glory last night, and achieved the proverbial crown for her work. During her speech, she loads up gunpowder cartridges. Ms. Weatherhead, per usual, sets fire to our hearts and imaginations-- triggering patriotism and empathy.
Other characters were in dramatic sync as well, including, Captain William Jenkins, played beautifully and credibly by actor, Michael Easler. Charles Venning, as Edward Green, the educated black man born in freedom, gave a very fine portrait of man torn between two worlds, mistaken for a runaway slave, and kidnapped off the streets of Philadelphia, and later, saved by Captain Felder.
Miles Pittman, an aspiring actor under the tutelage of Actors' Theatre of South Carolina, gave a whooping, enthusiastic performance, dramatically emulating the elder son of the Captain. His accounts of his role as Captain Felder's son and battle-stirred sidekick, was charged. His details of the how-to's of killing or carving up the enemy with a knife--was a wake up call to my imagination, and offered a bitter slice of those 18th century killing fields. It came close to making one's hair take flight to another part of the auditorium.
The "cannon" in the play's title, symbolized more than armament, but the fierce determination of the hero, Captain Felder and his loyal entourage. He in deed, forced the issues drawn in his document, The Articles of Separation From The English King, into action...an irrevocable and bloody confrontation against the Cherokee Indians, the British Monarchy and King George the Third's ensuing henchmen.
The audience of 400, was in full force last night. By the end of the evening, I have the distinct feeling that most of us were ready to enlist and fight...FOR LIBERTY.
Diane Scher, freelance Reviewer
"The Downtown Buzz"
November 9, 2006
MY FAVORITE GIFT
A REVIEW OF “A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES”
The gift of entertainment always lifts my spirits. Recently, I attended the production of Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales" at the Footlight Theatre. What a treat.
Clarence Felder mesmerized the audience with his Shakespearean style and stage presence. The words flowed melodically as a picture perfect vision came to life as charming as a Norman Rockwell Christmas may have been in the United States.
Mr. Felder was accompanied by a trio of chamber musicians worthy of mentioning: Regina H. Hetcher, flute; Nonoko Okada, violin; and Timothy O'Malley, cello. Their renditions of Christmas carols enhanced the one hour production.
I hope Mr. Felder will make this production an annual event and give it a longer run. More people need to enjoy this gift to the community.
Review by Sandy Katz
12.30.06
MEET THE CREATOR of
"FELDER FAMILY FILM FEST"…
LISA MORELLI
Lisa Morelli,a native Charlestonian, former Miss Charleston, Mother of two beautiful girls Annalise and Payton, wife to Andrew for 17 years has been in the entertainment business for the past 15 years.
Lisa is an actress, singer, acting instructor and board member of Actors' Theatre of South Carolina. She has appeared on national television shows as well as numerous films.
She portrays Molly Burke in Moving Images Group's film "All for Liberty" and is presently working on the Touchstone Television series Army Wives, and is featured in upcoming episodes. Her passion is working with elementary age children.
ANNOUNCING
"FIFTH ANNUAL FELDER FILM FESTIVAL"
Screenings will be @ 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., June 4th & 5th in the Charleston on the Beach Holiday Inn Ballroom, #1 Center Street, Folly Beach. There will be a cash bar and food available.
The FELDER FILM FESTIVAL Is sponsored and created by veteran film and television actor, Clarence Felder, film director and director of photography, Michael Givens and Nick Smith of Nick Smith Productions, to promote and develop new filmmakers and appreciation of new visual technologies in the Charleston area.
MOVIE FLASH!!
Weds. June 4th & 5th : 5:30 to 6:30 – SPECIAL 2008 GUEST!!
SEMINAR: Todd Tinkham, filmmaker
"Making high-quality successful short films with little money and no time”
[and Q & A on how to make the most of the film festival circuit]
ABOUT Todd Tinkham, Independent Filmmaker
Since 2005, Tinkham has made 18 short films that have gained acceptance into more than 200 film festivals
in North America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia, including the Rhode Island International Film Festival,
Sedona International Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival, Golden Lion Film Festival,
Vienna International Short Film Festival, and the Short Film Festival Of India. His films have won dozens of awards.
ALSO ANNOUNCING...
FAMILY FESTIVAL DIVISION - PINEAPPLE AWARDS & SCREENINGS
SUNDAY JUNE 1st 2-3pm
Young Movie Makers Workshop 3-4pm
FELDER FILM FESTIVAL - FAMILY FEST DIVISION
PROFILES ON THE CREATORS...
CLARENCE FELDER, Film star: ALL FOR LIBERTY. Film Co-Star: THE LAST BOY SCOUT, RUTHLESS PEOPLE, THE HIDDEN, AFTER HOURS, AMAZING GRACE & CHUCK, NIGHTMARE ON ELM ST. (PT 5), etc. Television: PLAYING FOR TIME, BLOOD & ORCHIDS, THE DANE CURSE, THE KILLING FLOOR, THE SCARLET LETTER, MYSTERY OF THE MORROW CASTLE, etc. Prime-time Series: Co-starred 2 years HOOPERMAN (with John Ritter) also LA LAW, CRIME STORY, NYPD BLUE, KOJAK, MATLOCK, DALLAS, HILL ST. BLUES, ISLAND SON, ALIEN NATION, BAYWATCH, etc. Broadway: Co-Starred in ten productions including QUEEN & THE REBELS (Colleen Dewhurst), THE SUICIDE, HENRY V & MEMORY OF TWO MONDAYS (Meryl Streep), LOVE FOR LOVE (Glenn Close), TEANECK TANZI, MACBETH (Christopher Walken).OFF-BWY: New York Shakespeare Fesitval (numerous roles) N.Y. Public Theatre (numerous roles), GOLDEN BOY, THE ROOM, etc. Regional: leading actor in over 100 plays in major theatres in U.S. Received numerous rave reviews for the role of Hermann Goering in 2: GOERING AT NUREMBERG by Romulus Linney in highly successful runs OFF-BWY, at The Actors’ Theatre of SC in Camden, Piccolo Spoleto, and in three other states. Mr. Felder recently starred as King Lear in ATSC’s Shakespeare Festival in Charleston, and plays The Creature in his new production, MARY SHELLEY: CREATURE OF FIRE . Clarence has directed numerous stage productions including A MIDSUMMER NIGHT‘S DREAM, OUR TOWN, THE CRUCIBLE, DEARLY DEPARTED, ESCURIAL, THE INVESTIGATION and 27 productions for The Actors‘ Theatre of SC. He is originally from St. Matthews, SC.
MICHAEL GIVENS...is an American Director with an international reputation. he is a native of South Carolina and graduate of Brooks Instituteof Photography in Santa Barbara. He made his directorial debut under the tutelage of Ridley Scott, was the director of second unit for COYOTE UGLY and was the Director of Photography for REBEL PRIVATE. He is internationally respected as a director for nine years working with other such noted directors as Steven Friers and Peter Smillie. Mr. Givens has directeed award-winning campaigns for many large corporations including UPS, Credit Swiss, Fedex and Visa. Combining his knowledge as a commercial director and his experience as a Director of Photography in feature films, Michael brings a highly defined sense of storytelling to his work. He lives in Beaufort, SC and recently shot the film version of THE CELESTINE PROPHECIES in Florida.
NICK SMITH…ex-Director of The Film School Scotland, is a writer, actor and director from the UK. As an actor, he has played cops, medics, killers and cats on TV and in movies. He was a firefighter in the cult hit Scottish soap opera, HIGH ROAD and a CSI guy in TAGGART. He has also presented factual programs, performed voice-overs and appeared on stage, radio and in commercials. Nick is the author of "Scriptwriting: The Secrets Unleashed," drawing on his experience as a writer for everything from movies (COLD SOLDIERS, HECKLERS) and TV to radio, plays and mystery novels. He has a degree in writing for film and television, and ran the Screenwriters' Studio in England. Mr. Smith founded The Film School Scotland in 1997, and over the next five years taught 2000 students. He coached many more worldwide through websites (Scriptwriters Inc. and Scriptwriters' Niche). From 1997-2002 he ran a production company (Fierce Films - Ross Campbell Award winner), specializing in independent features, documentaries (LETHAL EXPOSURE won first prize from the Penny Cup Jury) and TV drama (SPACE won a Royal Television Society award). He's currently directing an independent feature film in Charleston, SC.
