The sixth production of their 16th Season: The Agitators by Mat Smart. Directed by PURE Theatre Artistic Director and Co-Founder Sharon Graci, the cast features Emily Wilhoit as Susan B. Anthony and PURE Core Ensemble Member, Michael Smallwood, as Frederick Douglass in this Southeast Regional Premiere and nominee for the 2017 Edgerton Foundation Award for New Play.

“The Agitators tells of the enduring, yet tempestuous, friendship of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. Great allies?  Yes.  And, at times, great adversaries. Young abolitionists when they met in Rochester in the 1840s, they were full of hopes, dreams and a common purpose. This is the story of that 45-year friendship – from its beginning in Rochester, through a Civil War and to the highest halls of government. They agitated the nation, they agitated each other and, in doing so, they helped shape the Constitution and the course of American history.” – Theatre Communications Group.

The Agitators will be the fifth production at the Cannon Street Arts Center, a brand-new arts facility managed by the City of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs. Originally slotted for PURE’s 17th Season, beginning in the fall of 2019, this production will run in place of The Humans by Stephen Karam. An early opportunity to produce The Agitators presented itself in early Spring 2019 and it quickly became the perfect fit to close out Season 16. “This play is very smart, very very provocative, and very timely,” says Artistic Director and The Agitators Director, Sharon Graci.

Following its opening on Friday, May 3, 2019, The Agitators will run through Saturday, May 18, 2019. There will also be a special talkback and reception on Friday, May 10 with The Agitators Playwright, Mat Smart following the 7:30 pm performance. All are welcome to attend!

Regular performance times are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30pm with a matinee performance on Saturday, May 18 at 3:00pm and select Wednesday performances on May 8 (Pay-What-You-Will performance) and 15 (regular performance) at 7:30pm. In an effort to make attendance as accessible as possible, PURE will offer Pay-What-You-Will performances on Thursday, May 2 and Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30pm. A limited number of ten tickets will also be available at a individual $10 rate at every performance (limit two per reservation). To purchase 10 for $10 tickets, please use the code “welcome” on PURE’s website at puretheatre.org or call the box office at 843-723-4444.

Tickets for The Agitators are on sale now at puretheatre.org and at the PURE Theatre box office. Tickets range from $10-$35 and advance purchases are strongly recommended. Additional information about the show can be found on PURE’s website at www.puretheatre.org or by calling the box office at 843.723.4444 Tuesday through Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm and two hours prior to curtain on performance days. PURE Theatre is now located at 134 Cannon Street.