James Harley

James Harley is a Columbia-based writer, teacher and visual artist.  He holds a B.A. in history from the Honors College of the  University of South Carolina, and a Ph.D. in theatre history and criticism from the University of Texas at Austin, where he won the prestigious Texas Excellence in Teaching Award for the College of Fine Arts.  In addition to publishing numerous articles on a wide range of theatre history topics in academic journals, Dr. Harley worked as a freelance theatre reviewer for The State newspaper from 2003 to 2008, and is a contributing Arts writer for Columbia's Free Times alternative weekly. He is also a sports columnist for The Sideline.  He has served as a guest lecturer in theatre at the University of South Carolina and Midlands Technical College.

Also an occasional performer, Harley has appeared in numerous roles on the Columbia stage, dating back to his 1981 debut as Huckleberry Finn in Bette Herring's "Tom Sawyer" at Workshop Theatre.  In addition to founding and operating OnstageColumbia.com, he currently moderates the “Columbia Theatre Community Central” (CTCC) online discussion and announcement service for Columbia area theatre practitioners, and hosts a series of new play readings designed to offer critical assistance to emerging local playwrights.

As a visual artist, Harley has won the largest juried sculpture show in the state, as well as receiving “Best of Show” and “First Place” honors in other professional exhibitions. His art and design are available for viewing at www.jamesharley.net.

 

August Krickel

A native of Columbia, August Krickel graduated from Heathwood Hall school, attended the Intercollegiate Center for Classical studies in Rome, Italy, and received his B.A. in Drama and Classics from Vanderbilt University.

An experienced actor, he has performed with the Circle Players, Poverty Playhouse and Theatre Parthenos in Nashville, Tennessee, and locally at Town, Workshop, and Chapin Community Theatres.

From 1987 to 1992 he was a frequent contributor of articles and reviews for Columbia's Free Times alternative weekly newspaper, and still occasionally does interviews and essays for a range of online publications.

Professionally, Krickel has worked primarily in non-profit administration and fundraising, including several positions at the University of South Carolina over the last decade. He has also served as a two-term president of the Columbia Civitan Club, as chair of the South Carolina Commission on National and Community Service, and as a board member at Town Theatre.

Larry Hembree

Larry Hembree is currently the Executive Director of the Nickelodeon Theatre, Columbia's non-profit art house cinema.  He has had an extensive  career in the arts, including positions as Director of Performing Arts for the South Carolina Arts Commission and the Director of Theatre for the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County.  He has also served as the President of the  South Carolina Theatre Association and sat on its board.

Hembree received a B.A. in English, with a minor in Drama, from Clemson University.  He went on to earn an M.F.A. in Directing, with a secondary emphasis in acting, from the University of Georgia in Athens.  At Clemson, he won the Arthur J. Fear award for theatre excellence.

Hembree has directed and acted in more than 200 plays of all genres, including theatre for youth and for people with disabilities.  He has a particularly strong love for original work.

Hembree received the Key to the City of Camden for his work there in theatre, and also the Ben Bostick Leadership Award.  As a critic he has written theatre reviews for Columbia's Free Times alternative weekly, The State newspaper and several other publications.

      He was a National Arts Journalism Fellow at Columbia University and also a National Endowment for the Arts classical music fellow at Columbia University.

Ann Dreher

        Ann Dreher is a Columbia native and theatre icon. She recently retired after a 36 year teaching career, including three years at Allen University and 33 years at the University of South Carolina in the Department of Theatre and Dance.

        Dreher received her B.A. in Drama from Sweet Briar College, and an M.A. in Theatre from Northwestern University.

        In addition to performing numerous roles on stage herself, Dreher has also directed well over 100 shows.