In the heart of Statesboro on September 28, 2024, echoes of laughter and excitement filled the air as Averitt Center for the Arts members and guests gathered for the 20th anniversary celebration of this downtown gem.
The community came together for an event that transcended mere anniversary celebrations; it was a commemoration and a testament to the tie that binds the creative community together, even in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Tony Phillips, Deputy Director/Education Superintendent shared, “It is hard to believe that the ‘Averitt Arts Center’ has been open for 20 years, but history tells us, we indeed opened on September 4, 2004 -- with our first show for our community on September 9, 2004, which was Grand Opening Night of both the Averitt Center for the Arts and the Emma Kelly Theater, featuring Christine Andreas in Concert, a Broadway Singer and Actress."
The Main Gallery doors opened for this grand celebration at 7:00pm, showcasing a feast of appetizers and delicacies catered by Divine Elegance/Linens Cakes & Catering. Gorgeous floral arrangements by Frazier’s Flowers and a photo wall completed the room.
The atmosphere was thick with nostalgia, with mingling guests sharing stories of past performances of laughter and tears. The main gallery was adorned with art of local artists as a reminder of the imagination and the artistic work that thrives within our community.
The guests were escorted at 7:30pm to the Emma Kelly Theater for the live performances of music and dance for the Broadway Revue, directored by Lee Walker. The dazzling show featured popular performances like Defying Gravity, Phantom of the Opera, Anything Goes, Aquarius, Tomorrow, and more by the seasoned community actors, professional musicians, and talented dancers.
Walker gave special thanks to the talented cast that volunteered their time for this amazing production. Special recognition was given to Musical Director Dr. Jackson Borges, Choreographers Danielle Adams and Tara Cave, and the band, Dr. Jackson Borges, Dr. Michael Braz, Robert Cottle, and Josh Berry.
Russ Lanier, businessman, entertainer, and author, acted as Master of Ceremonies for the evening and reflected on the Averitt's journey over the past two decades—a journey that mirrored the community and celebrated its survival.
A brief intermission was enjoyed with an amazing delicious tower of desserts -- truly a touch of elegance! The members and guests again shared their Averitt memories during the mix and mingle. As the Broadway Revue drew to a close, Ralph Cowart looked out at the audience and said, “Here's to the next twenty years and the stories we will continue to tell, together!”
The Averitt extended their gratitude and appreciation to Shannon Lowe, owner of Frazier's Flowers, and Lisa L. Linen, owner/operator of Linens Cakes and Catering, for their beautifully crafted contributions.
Special thanks and appreciation were also given to the cast, stage crew, lighting crew, costume crew, prop masters, set designers, choreographers, and all additional crew/staff. They not only guaranteed that "the show would go on” in spite of Hurricane Helene, but they also made sure the celebration was a phenomenal success.
The Averitt Center staff acknowledges that they could not have reached this milestone anniversary and bright moment in the center's history without the love and support of the Statesboro/Bulloch County community.
The Averitt is not just a building; it is a living testament to the indomitable spirit of Statesboro—a place where dreams are born, hope is nurtured, and community is celebrated.
Happy 20th ANNIVERSARY to the Averitt Center for the Arts! Thank you for everything you add to our community!
The mission of the Averitt Center for the Arts is to provide quality arts opportunities for Statesboro, Bulloch County and surrounding areas as well as to serve as the centerpiece for a vibrant, historic downtown Statesboro. The purpose of the Averitt Center for the Arts is to make available a broad range of experiences in the performing arts, visual arts, literary arts, heritage arts, and general arts education for the citizens of Statesboro, Bulloch County and surrounding areas, regardless of their socio-economic, cultural, racial, physical or religious differences.