Stelle di Domani

Following the end of the academic year, we present the Stelle di Domani series as part of Charleston's annual Piccolo Spoleto Festival. Events include theatre, dance musical theatre and staged readings of new works — all presented by students, faculty, alumni and guests. 

Stelle di Domani 2026

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Stelle di Domani 2026

The College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance is proud to present its 19th season of Stelle di Domani, its annual Piccolo Spoleto offering. This season’s offerings include theatre, dance, comedy, cabaret, staged readings of new works, and an annual offering featuring our partnership with the Charleston Library Society.
  • Noise Source

    Noise Source

    Noise Source is an improvisational performance combining experimental sound design for tap dance using specialized effects and contact microphones alongside live noise sampling by Concept Rxch. This interdisciplinary collaboration explores both the sampler and the tap shoe as percussive technologies that fulfill the communal role of confiscated African drums offering a postmodern technique of communication and maintenance of an augmented culture that is fundamentally American.

    Instagram: @polytap2, @concept_rxch, @project.polymath 

    Performances: Sunday, May 24th at 2pm and 8pm
    Venue: Simons Center Black Box Theatre
    Address: 54 Saint Philip St.
    Admission: $16 (general admission); $12 (students/seniors) plus ticket surcharge
    Runtime: 40 minutes without intermission

  • Cougar Night Rewind

    Cougar Night Rewind

    Do you ever watch Saturday Night Live and wish that it felt more like lunch on a Thursday? From the same college students who just failed their Introduction to Mathematics exams, CofC Stages is proud to present The Comedy Club and Cougar Night Rewind. Enjoy an hour slam-packed with the Club's best sketch comedy! Suitable for ages 16+.

    Performances: Monday, May 25th and Tuesday, May 26th doors open at 7pm, performance at 7:30pm
    Venue: Simons Center Black Box Theatre
    Address: 54 Saint Philip St.
    Admission: $12 general admission plus ticket surcharge
    Runtime: 60 minutes without intermission

  • Staged Readings from the McNerney Playwriting Contest

    Staged Readings

    Staged readings of the Todd McNerney 17th Annual National Playwriting contest finalists. Previous winning plays have come from notable playwrights including Caridad Svich (lifetime Obie award winner), Sheila Cowley, Arthur M. Jolly, James Still, William Missouri Downs, and Donnetta Lavinia Grays. Free admission. Suitable for audiences 14+.

    Readings: Thursday, May 28th and Friday, May 29th at 2pm (runner-up); Wednesday, June 3rd and Thursday, June 4th at 2pm (winner)
    Venue: Chapel Theatre
    Address: 172 Calhoun Street
    Admission: Free
    Runtime: 90-120 minutes

  • Piccolo Spoleto Dance Showcase

    Piccolo Spoleto Dance Showcase

    As a featured component of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival’s Stelle di Domani series, the showcase brings together dance artists and organizations in celebration of the diversity, creativity, and vitality of the Charleston and broader Southeast dance community. Featuring five distinct programs, the showcase offers multiple opportunities for audiences to experience performers of all ages across a wide range of genres.

    Performances: Friday, May 29th at 4pm and 7pm; Saturday May 30th at 1pm, 3pm and 5:30pm 
    Venue: Simons Center Black Box Theatre
    Address: 54 Saint Philip St.
    Admission: $12 general admission plus ticket surcharge
    Runtime: 60 minutes without intermission

  • Family Feud: Cabaret Edition

    Family Feud: Cabaret Edition

    Family Feud is a popular, fast-paced game where teams compete to guess the most popular answers to survey questions; but this time, it comes with a cabaret twist. Watch students and alumni face off through singing, dancing, and acting performances as they bring those “survey says” answers to life on stage. With the opportunity to show off some of their talents, hard work from the semester and plenty of friendly competition, it’s game night like you’ve never seen it before. 

    Performances: Sunday, May 31 at 7pm
    Venue: Chapel Theatre 
    Address: 172 Calhoun St
    Admission: Suggested Donation $10
    Runtime: 45 minutes

  • Under the Lights

    Under the Lights

    This perennial Piccolo favorite led by CofC alum Michael Smallwood highlights original College of Charleston student works. A series of ten-minute plays written by and performed by CofC students, Under the Lights features winners of the Franklin B. Ashley Playwriting Award, the Todd McNerney Student Playwriting Award, and more. Suitable for audiences 14+.

    Performances: Monday, June 1st at 7pm, and Tuesday, June 2nd at 5pm
    Venue: Simons Center Black Box Theatre
    Address: 54 Saint Philip Street
    Admission: $10 (general admission) plus ticket surcharge
    Runtime: 60 minutes without intermission

     

  • Real Love... Negotiated

    Dark Magic

    Real Love… Negotiated is a sultry, story-driven jazz cabaret where Broadway drama meets late-night swing. Heather Rice is a Jazz vocalist, songwriter, and recording artist whose performances blend soulful storytelling with intimate, emotionally rich delivery. A featured artist in the Charleston Jazz Festival, CSO and the NC Pops, she has also opened for Kelly Clarkson, Sheryl Crow, Lady A, and Joan Osborne, and performed at venues including Green Room 42 and Studio 54 in New York City. Known for her vulnerability in live performance, Heather creates deeply personal experiences where jazz sophistication meets emotional truth.

    Ticketed Performances: Wednesday, June 3 at 7pm and Thursday, June 4 at 7pm
    Venue: Simons Center Black Box Theatre
    Address: 54 Saint Philip St.
    Admission: $16 (general admission); $12 (students and seniors) plus ticket surcharge
    Runtime: 70 minutes without intermission

  • Late, a Cowboy Song

    Late, a Cowboy Song

    “To all the lady cowboys of heart and mind who ride outside the city limits of convention.” Mary, always late and always married, meets a lady cowboy named Red who teaches her how to ride a horse. Red exudes a taste of freedom that Mary didn't even know she lacked, and is suddenly desperate to find. Late, a Cowboy Song, is the story of one woman's education and her search to find true love outside the box.

    Performances: Friday, June 5 at 2pm and 7:30pm; Saturday, June 6 at 2pm and 7:30pm
    Venue: Chapel Theatre
    Address: 172 Calhoun St
    Admission: $16 (general admission); $12 (students and seniors) plus ticket surcharge
    Runtime: 2 hours including intermission 

  • Romeo and Juliet: Cuts and Kisses

    Romeo and Juliet: Cuts and Kisses

    Join us for Cuts and Kisses, an abbreviated version of Shakespeare’s Romeo&Juliet, as part of the College of Charleston Department of Theatre and Dance’s partnership with the Charleston Library Society. Cuts and Kisses will also be presented as a free performance as “Shakespeare on the Steps” during June’s Second Sunday on the steps of CLS. Suitable for audiences 14+.

    Ticketed Performances: Friday, June 5th at 5pm, Saturday, June 6th at 12pm and 6pm 
    Venue: Simons Center Black Box Theatre
    Address: 54 Saint Philip St.
    Admission: $16 (general admission); $12 (students and seniors) plus ticket surcharge
    Runtime: 60 minutes without intermission

    Free Performance: Shakespeare on the Steps – Sunday, June 14th at 2pm
    Venue: Charleston Library Society
    Address: 164 King Street
    Admission: Free
    Runtime: 45 minutes without intermission