Program areas at Spoleto Festival USA
For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA fills charleston, south carolina's historic theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces with performances by renowned artists, as well as emerging performers in dance, music, opera, and theater. Spoleto Festival is internationally recognized as america's premier performing arts Festival. The 2023 Festival included over 100 performances enjoyed by over 43,000 attendees.
Annually the Festival provides an apprenticeship program for short-term intensive and exciting learning opportunities about the world of performing arts. Fifty college students acquired hands-on experience under the guidance of professional arts administrators and technicians.
Each year the Festival develops a Festival chorus and orchestra with more than 100 musicians. Through nationwide auditions, a talented group of young professionals and students are selected for a resident ensemble. The Festival orchestra has proven to be one of the finest opportunities for young musicians to gain extensive performance experience. Alumni of the Spoleto Festival orchestra can be found in almost every professional orchestra in the united states and many abroad.
Spoleto is heavily involved in community engagement and arts education, partnering with local elementary schools and a local youth jazz academy to provide artist led workshops and opportunities to attend performances. A program called "tell your story" allows charlestonians to partner with orchestra fellows to create oral histories accompanied by composition. A "pay what you will" program and "open stage door" program provide low priced and complimentary tickets to community based non-profit organizations and those without means to experience world-class performances.