Welcome to the Charleston Gaillard Center, where creativity and culture come together— we are thrilled to have you here to share your vision and artistry with our vibrant community!
Table of Contents:
UPON ARRIVAL
ON-SITE ACCESS
MEET THE TEAM
EMERGENCIES
HOTELS
STAFF FOOD SUGGESTIONS
LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS
LOCAL AMENITIES
POINTS OF INTEREST
ABOUT US
A leader in the performing arts in the Southeast, the Charleston Gaillard Center commissions, supports, and presents ambitious, multidisciplinary cultural programming and provides access to the best local, national, and global artists and companies on its stage. Deeply rooted in the community, the Gaillard Center is committed to elevating local and regional voices and partnering with Charleston institutions to reflect the city’s diversity, both on stage and off. Through programming on its public campus and extensive arts education initiatives, the Gaillard Center serves as a platform to participate in community building and essential dialogue.
Established as a nonprofit in 2015, the Gaillard Center’s campus includes the 1,818-seat Martha and John M. Rivers Performance Hall, a 16,000 square-foot exhibition hall that is home to artistic activations and community and corporate events and celebrations and an adjacent park space that was recently activated for artistic presentations. The Gaillard Center aspires to be a great place to work; it employs the best people, nurtures them, and enables them to succeed. The Charleston Gaillard Center is committed to the power of the arts as a means of exploration and imagination — from past injustices to dreams of a more equitable future, and works actively to create a more inclusive environment where all individuals feel a sense of belonging.
UPON ARRIVAL
Detailed arrival and departure information, including hotel/lodging accommodations and flights, have been emailed to your team directly. If you have any specific questions about your arrival or departure, please call or text our Artist Services Manager at (843) 242-7162.
Parking
A small employee parking lot is located adjacent to the Gaillard’s loading dock on Alexander Street and is available upon request. Stage Door access is located on the right-hand side of the lot between the parking garage and the building. The parking includes 12 standard car spaces and will accommodate up to 4 buses. No shore power is currently available, but buses are permitted to run generators in the lot.
Additional parking is available in the Gaillard Center’s parking garage at 32 Alexander St, and we are happy to validate artist garage parking upon request. Accessible parking can be found both in the City of Charleston parking garage adjacent to the facility at 33 Alexander Street and the city lot located across Alexander Street from the Performance Hall loading dock.
Where to Meet
Upon your arrival, a member of our Gaillard staff will greet you in a predetermined location, either backstage or in our downstairs lobby. If you find yourself turned around or in need of assistance, please say hello to our friendly Ticket Office staff who will let the team know that you are here and help to get you started.
ON-SITE ACCESS
Wi-Fi
The Gaillard Center offers free public wi-fi under the network name “Gaillard Center Guest.” If you are looking to access “Gaillard Center Backstage” or any additional networks, please contact a member of our Operations team.
Restrooms
All backstage dressing rooms are equipped with gender neutral restrooms which can be assigned at the tour’s behest. Accessible restrooms can be found on every floor and centrally adjacent to each of the facility’s patron areas.
Access to the Stage
The Stage Door is located on the right-hand side of the lot between the parking garage and the building. The stage door will be staffed anytime a contracted party is renting the Performance Hall. At the end of the parking lot, turn left between the building and the parking garage. You will find the Stage Door on your left, labeled
as such.
Additional/Quiet Space
Aside from backstage, the Gaillard Center has several flexible spaces where you can work and relax during the day. Café 95 is located off of the downstairs lobby and is a great location for small meetings and mealtimes. Outdoors, the Gaillard’s front lawn facing Calhoun St., featuring the Noisette Rose Garden, is a nice place for a picnic and/or a breath of fresh air. Additionally, the Gaillard Center has several KultureCity designated quiet areas that can serve as an escape from any hustle and bustle that may be coming out of our Exhibition Hall or Performance Hall.
MEET THE TEAM
Chip Fischesser
Technical Director
Eric Corriher
Vice President of Operations
Gabriel Wright
Event Services Manager
Joe Bogdan
Technical Manager
Justin Glessner
Director of Event Services
Kailey Jones
Artist Services Manager
Lauren Sears
Event Services Coordinator
Lissa Frenkel
President & CEO
Nicole Taney
Vice President of
Artistic Programming
Sara Bennett
Managing Producer
Tessa Schultz
Director of Programming
Texas Singleton
Assistant Technical Director
Our Programming, Operations, and Production teams are so excited to meet you! Click here to meet the rest of our team.
EMERGENCIES
In case of a life threatening emergency, please call 911 immediately and alert the nearest Gaillard Center employee for additional assistance.
A.E.D.’s & First Aid
A.E.D.’s and First Aid kits are located backstage and with the Ticket office personnel adjacent to the shared lobby spaces. In the event of a non-life threatening emergency, please contact the nearest Gaillard Center employee for assistance.
Below are some other non-emergency contacts:
Fire Charleston Fire Department – (843) 720-1981
Police Charleston Police Department – (843) 577-7434
Ambulance Charleston County EMS – 911 (transport) (800) 814-5339 (billing) Roper Hospital E.R. – (843) 724-2010
Urgent Care Clinic Access Healthcare – (843) 853-8870 235
Charleston Chiropractic and Therapy – (843) 722-7074
MUSC Dental Clinic – (843) 792-3444
HOTELS
Photo by Andrew Cebulka
The Charleston Place
- 5-Star Hotel
- 205 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401
- 0.4 miles from the Gaillard
Code: 310045
Courtyard Marriott Charleston Historic District
- 3-Star Hotel
- 125 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401
- 0.2 miles from the Gaillard
Code: S9473
Hotel Indigo Mount Pleasant
- 3-Star Hotel
- 250 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
- 3.9 miles from the Gaillard
Hampton Inn Charleston Historic District
- 3-Star Hotel
- 345 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
- 0.4 miles from the Gaillard
Code: 0003565792
Homewood Suites Charleston Historic District
- 3-Star Hotel
- 415 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
- 0.8 miles from the Gaillard
Code: 3225692
STAFF FOOD SUGGESTIONS
Charleston, SC is full of nature, history, culture, and notably: incredible food. If you’re looking for some insider tips, here are our staff’s favorite dining spots and hidden gems around the city!
Breakfast/Coffee
Harken Cafe & Bakery– Great stop for breakfast and a coffee. We highly recommend their house made Ricotta Biscuits.
**This is a great spot for vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options
The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery – A cozy small-batch bakery with many veggie-heavy options. The Harbinger Breakfast Sandwich is a staff personal favorite.
**This is a great spot for vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options
Huriyali – A health-conscious cafe with great breakfast and lunch options.
**This is a great spot for vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options
The Daily – Excellent coffee and breakfast spot!
Beech Cafe & Marketplace – Poke, smoothies, toasts, and acai bowls. This is a staff personal favorite!
Lunch
Three Girls on Spring – An Italian lunch spot where everything is plant-based and made from scratch!
**This is a great spot for vegan options
Circe’s Grotto – A casual spot that’s perfect for a quick bite at lunchtime. While you’re there, we highly recommend grabbing a bag of Lowcountry Kettle Potato Chips!
Da Toscano Porchetta Shop – A casual Italian shop that offers breakfast and lunch offerings comparable to those found in Tuscany. Their house made Le Farfalle Focaccia is a staff personal favorite.
Bon Bánh Mí – A casual spot for Vietnamese and Southeast Asian fusion. We highly recommend ordering the Tamarind Shrimp Bánh Mí.
**This is a great spot for gluten-free options
Ellis Creek Fish Camp – Overlooking the marsh and Ellis Creek, seafood doesn’t get fresher than at this casual camp-like eatery.
**This location is outside of the downtown Charleston peninsula (About 2 miles away)
CudaCo. Seafood House – Casual chef-owned restaurant, market and oyster bar with great seafood options, both local and exotic.
**This location is outside of the downtown Charleston peninsula (About 3 miles away)
Basic Kitchen – Light and wholesome fare with a focus on local ingredients.
**This is a great spot for vegan/vegetarian options
Big Gun Burger Shop & Bar – Best burgers in town!
Mercantile & Mash – A local marketplace with lots of lunch options.
**We recommend checking out the Bar Mash in the evenings
Dinner
Husk – Charleston Southern cuisine in a restored Victorian-era home.
**We recommend checking out the Bar at Husk before your meal
Chez Nous – Offers a daily changing menu of local ingredients, inspired by the food & wine of France, Italy and Spain.
Chubby Fish – Ranked as the #7 Restaurant in the US from Food and Wine Magazine! This small neighborhood eatery has an incredible seafood menu full of local ingredients.
**Reservations are not available, and this spot fills up quickly! We recommend joining the line queue between 4:00 and 4:30pm to save your spot for that evening’s service
FIG – Seasonally inspired Lowcountry cooking with a menu that rotates often.
**This is a very popular spot with limited availability. A reservation will be required well in advance
Xiao Bao Biscuit – Asian fusion comfort food in a trendy converted gas station. We highly recommend the Okonomiyaki and XBB Fried Rice! This is a staff personal favorite.
**This is a great spot for vegetarian/gluten-free options
Hall’s Chophouse – A Charleston staple for delicious cuts of meat. We highly recommend the Pepper Jack Creamed Corn Skillet as a shareable side! **Reservations are recommended, but there is often availability at the bar
Leon’s Oyster Shop – Known best for their selection of oysters and
fried chicken.
The Ordinary – 1920s bank turned upscale seafood restaurant. We highly recommend ordering a Seafood Tower.
Indaco – Wood-fired pizzas and rustic Italian fare.
Ma’am Saab – Elevated Pakistani cuisine. The Summer Blockbuster cocktail is a staff personal favorite.
**This is a great spot for vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options
Santi’s Restaurante Mexicano – An eclectic spot with the most authentic Mexican food in Charleston. Their Caldo de Camarón is a staff personal favorite.
Lewis Barbecue – Texas-style house-smoked meats. A Charlestonian favorite!
Sorelle – Southern Italy meets Southern hospitality!
**Sorelle Mercato also offers many great sweet and savory take-away options
Bartaco – A wide selection of Mexican street fare for lunch or dinner.
**This is a great spot for vegan/vegetarian options
167 Raw Oyster Bar – A New England style seafood eatery. We highly recommend ordering the Lobster Roll.
**167 Sushi has some of the best sushi in town!
Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.) – Classic Southern cuisine in an 18th-century warehouse. We highly recommend ordering the Shrimp & Grits.
The Glass Onion – Great Southern comfort food for lunch or dinner.
**This location is outside of the downtown Charleston peninsula (About 4 miles away)
Rodney Scott’s BBQ – Classic South Carolina BBQ!
O-ku – Modern Japanese cuisine with an excellent Happy Hour selection.
Obstinate Daughter – This two time James Beard Award nominated team cooks up eclectic Southern food with European influences.
**This location is outside of the downtown Charleston peninsula (About 5 miles away)
Jackrabbit Filly – Contemporary Chinese-American cuisine.
**This is a great spot for vegetarian options
The Establishment – Sophisticated Southern seafood. This is a staff personal favorite.
Vern’s – A cozy neighborhood atmosphere with elevated American cooking.
Circa 1886 – Fine dining restaurant in the original carriage house of the Wentworth Mansion. A menu centered around Charleston’s original cultural influences (English, African, and Native American).
Dessert
Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar – Classic Italian desserts, wine and cocktails. Their cannolis are a staff personal favorite.
Sugar Bakeshop – A local bakery with a wide selection of desserts. We highly recommend their cupcakes.
Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop – A neighborhood bakery with a dedication to organic and sustainable goods.
Off Track Ice Cream – House-made ice cream from scratch with available vegan flavors.
LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS
The Charleston Gaillard Center is a proud partner organization to many cultural institutions in the area. If you are interested in visiting one of the organizations below, we would be happy to make a connection for you!
College of Charleston
Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture provides access to digital and physical archival collections, offers guided tours, hosts workshops, presents lectures and performances, and features physical and digital museum exhibitions. The Avery Research Center Archives currently hold over six thousand primary- and secondary-source materials that document the history, traditions, legacies, and influences of African Americans.
Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art is a non-profit, non-collecting contemporary art institute within the School of the Arts at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. The HICA presents contemporary art exhibitions by emerging or mid-career artists.
International African American Museum is a museum of African American history in Charleston, South Carolina, located at a former shipping wharf where approximately 40% of the nation’s enslaved persons disembarked. The International African American Museum tells the unvarnished stories of the African American experience across generations, the trauma and triumph that gave rise to a resilient people.
Gibbes Museum of Art is Charleston’s only art museum. Their collection includes historical, modern, and contemporary works that span over 350 years and feature some of the country’s most celebrated artists. The Museum connects the city and region’s artistic past to a vibrant contemporary art scene.
The Charleston Museum holds the legacy of being ‘America’s First Museum’. Established in 1773, it is the oldest museum in the United States. Its collection includes historic artifacts, natural history, decorative arts and two historic Charleston houses.
LOCAL AMENITIES
Lime Bikes
Lime E-scooter and E-bike rentals are available throughout Charleston’s downtown peninsula. Below are the locations closest to the Gaillard Center:
The intersection of Laurens St. & East Bay St.
The intersection of Anson St. & George St.
The intersection of Calhoun St. & Concord St.
Gadsenboro Park
Fitness
Jibe Cycling – 48 Alexander St.
Holy City CrossFit – 80 1⁄2 Society St.
Pure Barre – 164 Market St.
MUSC Wellness Center – 45 Courtenay Dr.
The Longevity Club – 163 Rutledge Ave.
Gritbox Charleston – 2 Carlson Ct.
The Works – 465 Meeting St.
Salt Spa & Yoga – 483 King St.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Hampton Park – 30 Mary Murray Dr.
The Battery – 251 Meeting St.
Pineapple Fountain – 1 Vendue Range
Charleston City Market – 188 Meeting St.
Folly Beach County Park – 1100 W Ashley Ave
**This location is outside of the downtown Charleston peninsula (About 10 miles away)
Pitt Street Bridge – 100 Ann Edwards Lane
**This location is outside of the downtown Charleston peninsula (About 4 miles away)
Angel Oak Tree – 30 Mary Murray Dr.
**This location is outside of the downtown Charleston peninsula (About 10 miles away)