Market Theatre is thrilled about our 2024 season, and we're hitting the ground running. This January, we begin rehearsals for three of our shows! From educational programming and free shows in the park, to celebrated musicals and cult favorites, we have something for everyone in our community. Find out more below about this season's directors leading the way.
Individual tickets and customizable season passes are on sale now!
Alison Duffy
Dragons Love Tacos (School Tour)
Alison Duffy began to pursue the arts at a young age; she then turned her pursuit into a passion for theatre while attending the Charleston School of the Arts. Alison is also a recent graduate from the South Carolina School of the Arts. There, she has had the opportunity to direct works such as The Outsiders and The Last Five Years. Alison absolutely loved being a part of Market’s school tour for Pinocchio previously and she is very excited to jump back in, direct Dragons Love Tacos, and share the story with everyone!
Three words to describe your show.
Engaging, unique, colorful
If you could play any of the characters in your show, which would it be?
Probably the dog! I think the challenge of playing a character with such expression (and nothing to say verbally) would be so fun!
When you aren't directing, what are you doing?
Well, I work as a Production Arts Assistant, which is a lot of photo and video editing, but I also love video games and practicing piano!
Drew Whitley
Jersey Boys, 24 Hour Musical, Rocky Horror Picture Show
Drew has performed in, directed, and produced nearly 100 productions at theaters across the Upstate including Market Theatre, Warehouse Theatre, Mill Town Players, Greenville Theatre, Centre Stage, Electric City Playhouse, and Clemson University. He currently works as the Senior Associate of Teacher & Donor Engagement at DonorsChoose, a national education equity non-profit (support a teacher today at donorschoose.org!). He began his career as a public school teacher himself, during which time he was awarded Teacher of the Year for his success in building a thriving theatre program at D. W. Daniel High School. At the Market, he has directed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Footloose (24 Hour Musical), The Little Mermaid (24 Hour Musical), and award-winning productions of Every Brilliant Thing, The 39 Steps, and Death of a Salesman, as well as co-directed the outdoor smashes Shrek and Rock of Ages with Artistic Director Noah Taylor. He holds two bachelor's degrees from Clemson University, one in Secondary Education and one in English Literature, as well as a minor in Theatre. He brings to the Market team a passion for connecting with new members of our community and pouring into our current, thriving programs. Drew and his wife Rosie live here in Anderson with their overly-dramatic cat, Wriggs.
What are you looking forward to with your upcoming show(s)?
With both of my shows, I'm really looking forward to bringing our audiences shows they've been asking for! When we've sent out surveys in the past, both of these shows have appeared many, many times and it's always a thrill when we can bring shows folks are asking for and present them in a way that only Market can!
Three words to describe your show.
Jersey Boys: Ionic, Scrappy, Unexpected
Rocky Horror: Campy, Dazzling, Inspiring
Favorite snack and/or drink to have at rehearsal?
Coke Zero, trail mix, Swedish Fish are the official sponsors of every show I'm a part of
When you aren't directing, what are you doing?
Producing other shows here at Market, hopping on stage here and at other theatres (catch me in Assassins at Warehouse Theatre in June!), running races (two half marathons last year and lots of races coming up soon), and traveling all over the place with my wonderful partner Rosie!
Dalton Cole
Hands on a Hardbody
Dalton offers his skills as scenic designer, master carpenter, and technical director to all of The Market’s productions. He also works as technical director of theatre at Anderson University’s South Carolina School of the Arts. Dalton most recently performed on stage as Gomez in The Addams Family (Market), and Smudge in Forever Plaid and Plaid Tidings (Mill Town Players). He made his directorial debut in 2017 with It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at The Market, and recently directed The Market's Bonnie & Clyde, The Great Gatsby, and Mamma Mia! in the park. He enjoys woodworking and tinkering with cars, and says his daughter is his number one.
What are you looking forward to with your upcoming show(s)?
Hands on a Hardbody is a show I've been wanting to do with Market Theatre since the very beginning! Now, we have the perfect space at Magnetic South to put a truck onstage and tell a really fun story.
Favorite snack and/or drink to have at rehearsal?
Pound cake from the Pound Cake Man!
When you aren't directing, what are you doing?
Building sets, tinkering with old cars, playing in a weekly trivia tournament (reigning champs), and spending time with my girls
Aaron Pennington
James & the Giant Peach
Aaron is local to the upstate, having lived here his whole life, except a short stent in Texas for eight months. This will be his second time directing for Market. He was last seen fight choreographing She Kills Monsters. His love of theatre spans a thirteen-year career. In his off time from the theatre Aaron enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife Libby. He also loves to be at home with his three dogs Ajax, Ruthie, and Hermes, his cat Puck, and his three leopard geckos Luna, Magenta, and Riff-raff. He loves to spend time with his daughter Allie and help her learn the ins and outs of musical theatre. Aaron has been in various productions across the Upstate. He always loves working with the Market Theatre as he truly believes in arts for all. His next production he will be Centre Stage’s Rockin Boots; he will also be in the ensemble of Warehouse Theatre’s production of Assassins with the one and only Drew Whitley. He hopes everyone takes a moment to remember that it costs nothing to be kind. He would like to thank some of the beautiful people in his life: Kelsey, Drake, Kaylee, and Ben. ”Thank you to my Libby and my Allie-gator for always making me feel like a star.”
What are you looking forward to with your upcoming show(s)?
Cannot wait to dive into this story revolving around being accepted and feeling like you belong which is so pertinent to the times we are living in currently everyone
Noah Taylor
24 Hour Musical, The Music Man
Noah holds a Master of Arts in Theatre from Regent University as well as a BA in both Graphic Design/Theatre from the SC School of the Arts at Anderson University. He formerly served three years as the Community Theatre Chair for the SC Theatre Association and two years on staff with the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC). In addition to working for Market Theatre, he also works at Ludus, a ticketing platform with marketing and fundraising built in. Noah was selected as one of the Anderson’s 20 Under 40 rising community leaders. As a high school student, Noah fell in love with the stage after having the opportunity to play Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit. Following a ten-year break from acting, he recently returned to the stage as Chip in Spelling Bee and in his all-time dream role, Mark Cohen, in Market’s landmark production of RENT. He enjoys directing, producing, and marketing for the theatre industry. Some favorite directing credits include Into the Woods (in Carolina Wren Park), Next to Normal, Sweeney Todd, Godspell, Almost Maine, The Fantasticks, Matilda, Shrek the Musical, and four 24 Hour Musicals. He is married to Market co-founder Carlie and they have a five-year-old son, Elias.
What are you looking forward to with your upcoming show(s)?
This is a show of "firsts" for Market–our first time tackling a Golden Age musical, and our first time producing a show at the Southwood Performing Arts Center! I'm excited to bring Market energy and creativity to a classic show, and create an event that is unforgettable and brings together all parts of our community.
Three words to describe your show.
Mesmerizing, Nostalgic, Jubilant
If you could play any of the characters in your show, which would it be?
If I had enough of a musical ear, I would love to be in a quartet like the one featured in the show. I've always loved the Dapper Dans at Disney World!
When you aren't directing, what are you doing?
Spending time with my family, devouring podcasts/audiobooks, and of course, working as a producer and often designer on all of Market's other shows!
