Spoleto Festival Opens Doors for College of Charleston Students

Imagine homework that consists of attending a world premiere opera about the psychological toll experienced by displaced refugee children, or listening to Grammy Award–winning female jazz musicians captivate the audience under the oaks in the Cistern Yard. Imagine guests artists – including directors, curators and producers – visiting the classroom to share tools and secrets of the trade. All of this is possible in the College’s unique Spoleto Festival USA Maymester class.

“I have taught this course for over 25 years and it remains my favorite course and time of year. Every year is something new and every year I watch how this world-class festival opens some student’s eyes to the power of art.  And I know that will never get old,” says Todd McNerney, professor of performance in the Department of Theatre and Dance and associate dean of the School of the Arts. 

Co-taught by Michael O’Brien, professor of music, students get out of the classroom and into festival halls and theatres to immerse themselves in one of the most esteemed festivals across the country. Open to all majors, the Maymester Spoleto course is offered as a humanities elective. Students are required to attend a total of seven live performances ranging from theater and opera to jazz and chamber music.

“As someone who is not an art major, I don’t know if I ever would have been provided such an in-depth experience with a festival of this magnitude if it wasn’t for this class,” says Kenzie Taylor, an undergraduate student at the College of Charleston. “The productions we get to witness and the knowledge we gain from the lectures and interviews are something that will forever change how I perceive art. I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to see so many incredible productions, especially the L.A. Dance Project: Romeo and Juliet Suite!”

What’s important in this class isn’t whether students pursue careers in the arts or data programming. What truly matters is that it broadens their horizons and encourages them to appreciate artistic expression in their daily lives—a cornerstone of the College’s enduring dedication to the arts.

This year’s Spoleto festival runs through June 9, 2024. For more information about the festival visit Spoletousa.org.