The story of “Fame” shaped director Bradley Watts at an early age.
“Fame has been part of my creative DNA for as long as I can remember,” said Watts, who is bringing the story to a new generation at Aiken Community Theatre. The musical will be staged two weekends beginning May 15 at Amentum Center for the Performing Arts, according to a news release from the theatre company. “I grew up inspired by the original film and the TV series. The first time I saw ‘Fame’ live was in Columbia, and I was so captivated that I went back and watched every single performance. That experience stayed with me, and now I have the honor of bringing this story to our stage.
Under his direction, audiences can expect more than a nostalgic return to the iconic 1980s musical. It’s shaping up a vibrant, emotionally charged celebration of ambition, artistry and the messy, exhilarating process of becoming who you’re meant to be, the news release continued.
As they’ve prepared for the production, life imitates art and art imitates life as the performers go through many of the same experiences as their characters do.
“A major challenge has been coordinating the overlapping demands of dance calls, music rehearsals, and scene work that all need attention at the same time,” said stage manager Kimberly McClellan. “’Fame’ moves at such a fast pace that every department is constantly in motion—and with costuming and props added in, the cast is often pulled in several directions at once.”
Ardith Bonham serves as the show’s musical director leading the cast in tight and complex harmonies and Alexia Crowley and Julia Crider are the choreographers.
“Since I grew up in the ’80s and I’m trained in all styles of dance, this was a simple and organic process,” Crowley said. “I used the music of each song and the strengths of the dancers as the foundation for the choreography.”
One number Crowley especially enjoyed creating was the Pas de Deux between Tyrone and Iris.
“I worked with their strengths and taught partnering skills and lifts to unify them,” she said. “They pushed themselves daily and exceeded my expectations. Their hard work and my guidance have paid off well.”
Shows will be performed at 7:30 p.m. May 15-16 and 22-23 and at 2 p. m. May 17. ASL interpretation will be provided at the May 22 performance. For tickets, call 803-648-1438 or click here.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
