Actors’ Theatre of South Carolina receives major Growth Grant from National Endowment for the Humanities For Film Series

Actors’ Theatre of South Carolina will begin free public screening events Sunday, January 30th, at 3:00 pm with a local premiere of their award-winning docudrama, John Laurens’ War, in partnership with the Calhoun County Library. The film series will be free of charge. Following screenings, South Carolina scholars and creators of the films will answer questions from the audience. The series will be on Sundays from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm.   Due to the pandemic, the events will take place in the banquet hall of the Calhoun Hills Golf Complex to allow a larger audience and social distancing.   

The non-profit film and theatre company has received a major Growth Grant from South Carolina Humanities, www.schumanities.org. Funding for the Growth Grants has been provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the NEH Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan (SHARP) initiative.

Screenings of the award-winning films will take place across the state throughout 2022. Calhoun County dates and films are: 

• January 30 @ 3:00 pm – John Laurens’ War – young officer fights to outlaw slavery ninety years before it ended
• February 27 @ 3:00 pm – Frederick Douglass, No Turning Back – former slave becomes major US statesman
• April 3 @ 3:00 pm  – Calls to Greatness – US History – seven brave heroes tell their stories
• June 26 @ 3:00 pm – All For Liberty – Swiss freedom fighter and his family discover the cost of freedom 

Clarence Felder, Executive Producer and co-star in the films, is grateful for the support from the Growth Grant. “John Laurens’ War was released this past summer, world-wide, through our distributor, Bridgestone Multimedia Group (BMG Global), This series is a great opportunity to premiere this docudrama locally and share an astounding story of a brave young man from Charleston in the War for Independence.” 

Felder also stars in a previous American Revolutionary War film, All For Liberty, about local hero, Captain Henry Felder, which also won nine international film awards and has been in world-wide distribution with BMG Global for seven years.  

“We’ve screened other projects at the Calhoun County Library, and are thrilled to begin this Great American Heroes Series,” added Chris Weatherhead, Producer/Director of the films. “We’ve found many inspiring stories of people who risked their lives and families to fight for the many freedoms now guaranteed in our US Constitution.”  

“These are phenomenal, quality productions” said Kristen Simensen, Director of Calhoun County Library. “The opportunities that have been afforded to our patrons over the years by Actors’ Theatre and SC Humanities have been truly incredible. We always have very positive feedback from attendees.” 

More information about each film is available on the Calhoun County Library website and Facebook page (calhouncountylibrary.org and @calhounlibrarysc) and on ActorsTheatreOfSC.org. (also Facebook)Although the screenings are free, reservations are required as space is limited.

 In the event of a pandemic challenge, the Library will attempt to notify all audience members of a new date. 

To reserve call 803-874-3389

 Actors’ Theatre of South Carolina is a professional film and theater company celebrating 26 years and dedicated to producing new works by South Carolinians, fine literature and unsung American Revolutionary War heroes from South Carolina. They have won twenty-two international film awards and three national historical awards (SAR & DAR) for their films.

The Calhoun County Library is located in the heart of St. Matthews, South Carolina.  The library is committed to optimizing library services, strengthening community involvement and exemplifying strategic stewardship throughout the various communities in our service area, including St. Matthews, Fort Motte, Sandy Run, Cameron, Lone Star and areas beyond. The library receives county, state, private and grant funding. It is governed by a seven-member board appointed by the Calhoun County Council.