"...True education always extends past the walls of the classroom. The Charleston Clemente Course Project and Theatre seek to extend those classroom walls."
Dr. Sharon Willis, Department of Speech, Foreign Language & Theatre
2008 - Clemente Players
Dracula Forbidden Fruit
The 2008 Clemente Players raised $8,500 for the Charleston Clemente Course! Wow!
2007 - Clemente Players
The Canterbury Tales’
2006 - Clemente Players
The Good Doctor
The Clemente Players raised $3,500 in its production of Neil Simon's The Good Doctor. Fun, music, song and food made for a memorable medieval evening in the tavern with Chaucer's pilgrims. Dr. Sharon Willis, artistic director, and Mr. Kevin Eakes, musical director, have created many suprise additions to the already uproariously funny show.
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Inspiration
Earl Shorris was inspired to begin the Clemente Course after an interview he had with an inmate while researching the causes of poverty. The inmate stated this after being asked why some people are poor. She replied, “You’ve got to teach the moral life of downtown to the children. And the way you do that, Earl, is by taking them downtown to plays, museums, concerts, lectures, where they can learn the moral life of downtown.”
The Call of Leadership
In response to the statement made by the inmate who inspired the Clemente Course, "You've got to teach the moral life of downtown to the children....taking them to plays, museums, concerts, lectures, where they can learn the moral life of downtown." Trident Technical College has once again responded to the call of leadership in two-year colleges and reaffirms its missions statement "...to be a leader among two-year colleges in providing diverse and innovative educational programs and services in a highly technical and competitive global environment." As well as provide "...lifelong learning opportunities for traditional and nontraditional students. These opportunities enhance the economic, social and cultural life of the community. Accessible and responsive to the needs of this multi cultural community." A theatre production group has been established to include traditional and non-traditional students.
If you are intersted in becoming a Player, contact Dr. Willis at 843.574.6605 or by email Sharon.Willis@tridenttech.edu.
Dr. Sharon Willis
The Clemente Players is directored by Speech, Foreign Language & Theatre Department's Dr. Sharon Willis. Dr. Willis states, "There's always been a strong connection between society and theatre historically. Theatre deals with the human condition. Society and man create that condition, be it happy, sad, positive, negative, painful, or joyful. On stage, the audience and players experience the characters' choices, their victories, their failures, but are able to go home after the show and not suffer the consequences of those decisions. All of mankind can bond through theatre because the art of theatre deals with issues pertinent today, timeless in nature. The Clemente Players include students, faculty, staff, and community. I believe that Trident Technical College is truly responding to the 'needs of a multicultural community' in such a way that learning is 'lifelong.' Enjoyment and fellowship goes a long way in connecting people of all socio-economic levels. True education always extends past the walls of the classroom. The Charleston Clemente Course Project and Theatre seek to extend those classroom walls."
