New Arts Center head has a vision for the beloved building

Actor Melissa Sturgis assumes role as Simpsonville Arts Center manager

Simpsonville, S.C. — A little more than three months after its unveiling in February, the Simpsonville Arts Center has its first manager in Melissa Sturgis, an actor with a clear vision: making the newly renovated Arts Center the top venue in the Upstate for theatre and the arts.

"The Simpsonville Arts Center will be the catalyst for bringing people together to experience the performing and visual arts," Sturgis said.

As manager of the Simpsonville Arts Center, Sturgis will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations, scheduling high-quality entertainment, including live performances, arts shows and special events and overseeing marketing, contracts and requests for proposal.

Sturgis has master's and bachelor's degrees in theatre & communication and studied acting at Lee Strasberg's Theatre & Film Institute in New York City and interned at The Actor's Studio. In addition to her performing arts credentials, Sturgis has 15 years of experience in the role of public relations director at various nonprofit organizations.

Hired in May before assuming her new role with the City of Simpsonville in June, Sturgis already has a goal in mind for the Arts Center.

"The Simpsonville Arts Center is the perfect addition to this vibrant city that we call home and will become the premier location in the Upstate for community theatre and the performing and visual arts," Sturgis said.

After sitting largely vacant for nearly two decades, the building constructed in 1939 that once housed Simpsonville high and elementary schools was renovated by the City of Simpsonville into an arts center with the purpose of providing entertainment and educational opportunities to residents and visitors. The $2.5 million renovation project included an upgraded auditorium with new lighting and sound, new lobby, ticket counter and concession stand and a green room in the basement under the stage.

Simpsonville Community Relations Specialist Justin Campbell said Sturgis could not have joined the Simpsonville team at a better time.

"Transforming the property at 110 Academy St. into an arts center has been a multi-step process, and putting the experienced, talented and energetic professional that Melissa is in charge of the Simpsonville Arts Center will make that transformation a reality," Campbell said. "Melissa has hit the ground running, and we're excited to see her vision come to life."

Sturgis compared her role as arts center manager to that of a stage manager for a play.

"My responsibility is to make sure the Simpsonville Arts Center operates smoothly and audience members enjoy themselves and leave a show invigorated and excited for the next one," Sturgis said. "Because the City wants the Arts Center to be a hub of arts and culture in the Upstate, networking, partnership and collaboration will be pivotal to its success."

After having moved 15 times in their 37 years of marriage, Melissa and her husband Doug did it one more time and moved from Alaska to Simpsonville in February 2021 upon Doug's retirement. Melissa and Doug chose the area partially due to the presence in Pelzer of Mill Town Players, the community theatre group in-residency at the Arts Center for six performances in 2022-23. Melissa actually toured the Pelzer theatre while house-hunting in the Upstate.

"We love the small-town feel of Simpsonville and the wonderful friendly people, the restaurants, parks and shops and the proximity to the mountains and the beaches," Sturgis said. "It truly is simply home."

For more information about the Simpsonville Arts Center, please email artscenter@simpsonville.com.