“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”
Clark E. Nesbitt
Founder & Director
Clark E. Nesbitt, an upstate native of Greer, SC., has been acting for more than 60 years and directing for more than 50 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Benedict College in Columbia, SC. There, he studied acting under Grace Palmer, John Grace, and Elizabeth J. Hart. It was there he was introduced to the literary works of Black Writers and their contributions to history and the performing arts, discovering who he was as a black man in America. Upon graduation, Clark received voice lessons from Lucille B. Smith and Leonard Mansfield Johnson.
He credits his theatrical beginning to Mrs. Edith S. Mack for inspiring him through a poem called the “Creation” by James Weldon Johnson. Some years later after school integration/desegregation, Clark wanted to perform the six-minute monologue in his high school talent show, and discovered the only book of poetry in the school library by black people was the poetry of Phillis Wheatley. So, he visited Mrs. Mack, who immediately sat down and wrote out the poem from memory as he waited. Throughout his life he’s been mentored by countless Edith Mack’s and that presence makes a difference. Thus, the journey began; a journey that would be the creation of the actor and performing artist Clark E. Nesbitt.
They passed it down so others could pass it down. This foundation, rooted in the performing arts, reminds me that somebody, somewhere has always been there passing it down. Because of this, I’ve been charged to create “Clark Nesbitt’s No Dreams Deferred”, a performing arts community theatre that promotes complete awareness of theater using writings primarily by Black authors.
Clark’s greatest desire is to tell the stories of his people through the performing arts!
YOUR NEW COMMUNITY THEATRE!
Upcoming Shows
THE LAST SUPPER
In this living dramatization of “The Last Supper”, we will step back into time. We will meet and greet the men who spent precious time with Jesus. These men were an unlikely cross-section of humanity and voted by the world’s standard as most likely Not to Succeed. Let us look at these men as they are gathered in the upper room to celebrate the Passover meal together, the moment just after Jesus said, “One of you will betray me”. Instantly, the twelve apostles will become men of twelve different moods. The twelve apostles speak their minds to themselves, to each other, and to the Lord, in the light of the tragic words … “One of you will betray me.”
Show dates: February 28th-March 2th
*NOT RECCOMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 6
THE COLOR PURPLE
The Color Purple is a musical with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, based on the 1982 novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker and its 1985 film adaptation. The musical follows the journey of Celie, an African American woman in the American South from the early to mid-20th century.
Show Dates: June 13th -22nd