Our History

The building was built in 1935 by Carolina Films, Incorporated
owned by Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Legendre. The theatre, changing management several times, showed movies until the mid-1970s
when single screens fell out of favor.

The building remained empty when in August of 1976 a group of eight Summerville theater enthusiasts recognized a need for live theater in the area and established the Flowertown Players, Incorporated. The current owner of the existing building was contacted, and these thespians presented their vision of the Summerville Community Theatre. It was agreed that the Flowertown Players could use the facilities as long as it would not cause any loss or liability to the owner. Every year following four or five shows were produced until 1983. Even with the constant reinvestment of proceeds into the upkeep of the building and purchase of theatrical equipment, they could not keep up with the deterioration of the original structure. The Players were forced to vacate.

However, the Flowertown Players team was not to be deterred. Moving the productions to Ladson Elementary School and rehearsing at the Coastal Center, they entered into negotiations with the Town of Summerville for the restoration of the old Theatre building and the return of community theater to Main Street. The Town of Summerville decided to sell the building to the Players. With a degree in theater, James F. Dean designed the interior of the auditorium with its raked, stadium seating and excellent acoustical projection from the stage. Through private investors, the building interior was gutted, and after a two-year renovation project performances came back to Summerville in 1988. The building is listed as part of the Historic District in the National Register of Historic Districts. Following Jim’s death as a member of the original movers and shakers, the building was renamed in his honor.

Our Staff

Kendall Kiker – Managing Director

Kendall Kiker is thrilled to be joining The Flowertown Players as the Managing Director. He earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Acting from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts from Francis Marion University. He has spent the majority of his career as an educator, teaching at schools in South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas. He also works as an actor and director. Most recently, he directed productions of She Kills Monsters and The Spitfire Grill The Musical at Coker University in Hartsville, SC. He can be seen in films such as American Made with Tom Cruise and The Founder with Michael Keaton. He is a certified Practitioner of Lessac Kinesensic Voice and Body Training, serves as an At-Large Board Member and Chair of the Playwriting Committee for the South Carolina Theatre Association, and is also a Board Member for Delmae Dixie Youth Baseball where his son, Corin, plays second base and pitcher. He would like to thank his wife, Abby, and son, Corin, for their unwavering support.

Jason Olson – Technical Director

Jason Olson is returning as the Technical Director for The Flowertown Players. He has been active in live theatre since his youth in Weymouth, Massachusetts, where he enjoyed extensive experiences in directing and stagecraft. He has spent the last decade working both on-stage and off for a number of theaters in the Charleston area. Also, a writer, his adaptation of The Three Musketeers was produced by FTP in 2014. His work has been frequently showcased at South of Broadway Theatre’s annual Playfest and through 5th Wall Productions – an itinerant theatrical endeavor with a passion for developing new work, which he co-founded in 2014 and currently serves as Executive Director and Literary Manager. He has privately coached playwrights of all ages and directed the Young Playwrights Program at Threshold Repertory Theatre. He has made some notable appearances on stage but relishes his time behind the scenes. He has previously worked as a scenic carpenter with Charleston Stage, as a technical director for Threshold Repertory Theatre, and as over hire carpenter for Footlight Players.

Jason has been active at Flowertown Players for many years as a volunteer set designer and shop steward. He served as a part-time technical director from 2020-2022. He is thrilled to return this season in a full-time capacity as a part of the new leadership team and is looking forward to working with all of the talent, volunteers, and businesses in the Summerville community.

Patti Kelly – Financial Manager

Relocated from New Jersey to South Carolina in 2006 after accepting a position as a Senior Manager at the Medical University of SC. She first became involved with the theater in 2014 when she reached out to the director of the Sound of Music, Monica Shows, asking if they needed help with costumes. It was the start of a long-time friendship. Since that time Patti has costumed many productions at Flowertown Players. She has also performed in the Frontlines to the Home Front for six seasons. She is also a past recipient of the Doris Dean Award for Outstanding Volunteerism.

Upon her retirement in 2018, Patti has become an accomplished quilter. She worked part-time at People, Places, and Quilts prior to joining the staff at Flowertown Players this year. She brings to the organization experience and knowledge in the subject areas of Human Resources, Payroll, and Finance. Patti also continues to costume select shows for Flowertown Players.