The Koger Center gets a facelift

The Koger Center in Columbia, South Carolina

The Koger Center in Columbia is getting a facelift.

This week, the center began installing a new rigging grid system that will allow the stage crew to hoist quietly, quickly and safely necessary components like curtains, lights, scenery, stage effects, and even people.

“This summer, we’re taking the opportunity to upgrade our facility in order to have larger and more exciting productions here at the Koger Center. The installation of a rigging grid will give us the opportunity to work safely and more efficiently,” said Nathan Terracio, a University of South Carolina alum and the new director of the Koger Center.

“By improving the facility, it gives us an opportunity to host more of what the public wants to see and to allow the groups that are already here to do what they do more safely, faster and give their audiences a little more bang for their buck,” according to Terracio,

Performances are put on hold while renovations are being completed. The next performance at the center isn’t scheduled until Oct. 6. But putting off the shows brings the goal of bigger and better than ever performances closer.

The Koger Center is home to performances by the University of South Carolina Dance Department and School of Music, including the Symphony Orchestra. Columbia City Ballet, the South Carolina Philharmonic and Columbia Classical Ballet also regularly perform at the Koger Center.

The theatre is also home to “Broadway In Columbia,” which brings Broadway performances to the local stage.

Tickets for the 2018-2019 season are on sale, and the season will include “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Kinky Boots.” Another performance, “Halloween at Hogwarts with the SC Phil” is set for 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28. Tickets for the event are still available for purchase.

“I would like people to feel the same way about it now in 2019 that they felt in 1989. I’d like us to be a destination people think of, an important part of the community’s life and an important part of the university’s educational outreach,” said Terracio.

Located in the heart of the city and on the University of South Carolina’s campus, the Koger Center for the Arts is well known in the Columbia community.

For more information on upcoming shows and events, call (803) 251-2222 or visit kogercenterforthearts.com.