SC State drama program showcases student, community talent through legendary Henderson-Davis Players

Student theatre tradition continues with children’s production “BeBop Tales”

Note: This is the latest in a series commemorating the 130th Anniversary of SC State.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — For many South Carolina State University students, the Henderson-Davis Players offer a first opportunity to step onto a stage, discover their talents and become part of a creative tradition that has thrived on campus since 1967.

The student-led drama guild has long served as a cornerstone of campus culture at SC State. As one of the oldest collegiate drama troupes in the nation and the oldest at any historically Black college or university, the Henderson-Davis Players have produced more than 225 plays and won more than 100 national and international awards in theatre festivals and competitions.

Among the program’s successful alumni are the late Samuel E. Wright, the voice of “Sebastian” in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” Javon Johnson of Tyler Perry’s “The Oval,” and Erskine Johnson, the first African American inducted into the South Carolina Theatre Association Hall of Fame.

Today, that tradition continues as the group prepares for a new children’s theatre production.

A modern take on classic fairy tales

The Henderson-Davis Players are gearing up for a children’s theatre production of “BeBop Tales,” auditions for which were held Feb. 3 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium on the SC State campus.

The coordinator of South Carolina State University’s Drama Program continues to provide the tools of success for a new generation of theatrical performers with the upcoming production.

Ursula O. Robinson is a drama professor at SC State, the only historically Black college or university (HBCU) in South Carolina offering a degree program in drama. Along with serving as drama program coordinator, Robinson also serves as director of theatre and adviser to the Henderson-Davis Players.

The production will be a hip-hop adaptation of classic fairy tales, with the characters undergoing a transformation under the modern retelling of classic stories.

“It’s the story of a fractured fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin and Rapunzel, but the characters are called Rumpels and Punzelle, and it has hip-hop music, poetry — it’s a lot. It’s very different in that we’re taking a fairy tale and adding iconic African American music,” Robinson said.

The production will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday and Friday, March 26-27, for public schools at the MLK Auditorium. The production will also be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26, and 10 a.m. Saturday, March 28, for the university and the general public.

Tickets are $2 for college students with ID and $6 for all other members of the general public. For tickets and other information, including how to reserve seats, call 803-997-0856 or contact Robinson by email at urobinson@scsu.edu.

Robinson said the play was written by one of her former students she taught at North Carolina A&T University, Billicia Hines, who now serves as director of the African American Theatre Program at Wayne State University.

“The production is more of an exploration. Not just a story, but how the story can be changed in so many ways to appeal to [a younger audience]. We’re bringing in schools from all over to see the production,” Robinson said. 

“This is how we bring people in to, one, introduce them to what we do, but also to even put in the idea that this could be the opportunity for them,” she said.

Robinson continued, “For some of these kids, this will be the first time they’ve seen something like this, a live production. It could say to them, ‘This is something I can do.’ So many times in our community, our students don’t have an opportunity to exercise their gifts.”

A stage for students

The Henderson-Davis Players continue to draw participation from students across campus, as well as alumni and members of the community who remain connected to the program.

Christiaan Frasier, an SC State senior business management major, is president of the Henderson-Davis Players and was among those who turned out to audition to perform in “BeBop Tales.”

He said it is significant that SC State is the only HBCU that offers a degree in drama, a program that he said provides versatility in training and a welcoming atmosphere.

“That’s what I love about professors and mentors here within the HDP, which is what we call ourselves. We have our own chant, and we let all negativity out when we go on stage. It’s just a whole other world, and it really gives you that oomph and motivation that you need to continue,” Frasier said.

He was once shy about being on stage but is now more comfortable with theatrical performance.

“I’m not a theatre or drama major. At first when I started, it was a hobby. One of my friends said, ‘Just try it out.’ I said, ‘I’m shy, don’t put me up on stage.’ But three years later, I’ve experienced so much,” Frasier said.

“I’ve been to conventions and other events, and we’ve done social gatherings for the community. We’ve actually sung to the elderly. We do so much,” he said.

Julius Floyd, an 18-year-old freshman drama major from Conway, S.C., started acting in high school and said he has found a friendly home and good acting experience within the H-D Players. 

“Moving up to the H-D Players has just been amazing. It’s just been like a step above the high school level drama teaching. It just taught me a little bit more about how you can improve acting,” Floyd said.

Kameron Chamberlain, a 19-year-old SC State drama major from Greenwood, S.C., said participating in the H-D Players empowers him to want to be a better actor and student.

“I would describe my experience with the H-D Players as fun. It’s a great learning experience, and it really makes me want to do work in school,” Chamberlain said.

He said his instructors in the drama program push him to do his best.

“They’re not the type of people who let you do nothing halfway. You’re going to give your all, and if you don’t, you’re going to hear from them,” Chamberlain said.

Brianna Armstrong, a senior drama major from Beaufort, S.C., said she has learned many things in the drama program and has a strong connection with her professors, who motivate her to get out of her comfort zone and explore new things.

“Even when I don’t want to be pushed, they will push me because they’re not going to allow my talents to go to waste,” she said, noting that she encourages other students to join the drama program.

“Nobody’s coming in here judging you. If anything, they want to help,” Armstrong said.

A lasting connection to the program

Former student and Henderson-Davis Players member Baysia Hunt, now a fiscal analyst II in the SC State 1890 Research and Extension Program, continues to assist with stage production. 

The 23-year-old graduated from SC State in May 2025 with an accounting degree.

“I joined the Henderson-Davis Players as a freshman. Shortly thereafter, I was nominated by the other members to be secretary-treasurer. So I served in that capacity, which was also more comfortable for me because I’m a finance major,” Hunt said. 

She soon, however, began performing in productions.

“I was cast as the main character in a ‘murder mystery.’ It wasn’t supposed to be one, but we added this crazy aspect at the end that made it a murder mystery,” Hunt said. 

She continued, “That was fun. Then over time, I just really became more hands-on behind the scenes. At this point, I’ve done three productions as stage manager,” she said.

Hunt said it has been hard to pull away from her work with the Henderson-Davis Players because it is still work that she enjoys.

“Even at moments when I’m like, ‘Oh, I think I might step back a little bit,’ I find myself right back,” Hunt said.

Training the next generation of performers

“Anyone from the community can come to audition. The H-D Players are open. It’s a student organization, but it’s also a function of the drama program. So all of our majors have to go through the H-D Players because that’s how we do our productions,” Robinson said.

Robinson has also found herself immersed in her work with the university’s drama program.

“I’ve been here since 1999, and I’ve been over it since 2010. The program is special to me because, one, we create artists who leave here and impact the world. They change the world around them, but we’re also the only HBCU that offers a degree in theatre,” she said.

“We teach all our students all aspects of theatre, and we add in television and film,” Robinson said. 

Hunt said, “One of the things that I’ve learned over the years, especially when I had the opportunity to go to the Southeastern Theatre Conference, was how many successful TV and film actors got their start in theatre.”

Frasier said, “It’s always something for someone here. It doesn’t matter if you want to do tech, editing, costumes, acting or playwriting. We always have a place for someone.”  

For more information about SC State’s Professional Drama Programand the Henderson-Davis Players, visit scsu.edu/academics/programs/drama or contact Robinson at urobinson@scsu.edu or 803-536-8815. 

The Professional Drama Program is a unit of the SC State Department of Visual & Performing Arts and the College of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences.

Apply for admission to SC State at www.apply.scsu.edu/apply.