Georgia State Musical Theatre

Peach State Summer Theatre

'Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival'

Adopted in 1993;2006

Valdosta State College and the Jekyll Island Authority have cooperated in creating the Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival, a professional repertory musical theatre company. The Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival has presented musical theatre in the Jekyll Island Amphitheatre, beginning in the summer of 1989, to increasing numbers of residents and tourists. The continuation of the Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival is representative of the outstanding level of artistic activity which exists in Georgia.

From 1990 to 2004, VSU produced the Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival. During that time, thousands of people from across the country enjoyed the best of musical theatre entertainment.

A company of some 60 actor-singer, dancers, technicians, managers, and creators will reside in Valdosta for a nine-week season. During that time, they will rehearse, build and present three musicals in rotating repertory. In 2005, the summer theatre was relocated to the campus of Valdosta State University.

Georgia State Musical Theatre:
'Peach State Summer Theatre'

Peach State Summer Theatre is a professional summer theatre on the campus of Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia. Each summer, a company of some 60 actor-singers, dancers, technicians, managers, and creators will reside in Valdosta for a nine-week season. During that time, they will rehearse, build and present three musicals in rotating repertory.

In 2006, Peach State Summer Theatre was designated the Official Musical Theatre of the State of Georgia by the Georgia Legislature

Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival

In 1990 Valdosta State University Theatre and the Jekyll Island Authority began offering live, professional musical performances in repertory cycles of three productions each summer. The performances were held on Jekyll Island as a way to offer the large number of tourists a variety of entertainment during their stay and were presented in the Jekyll Island Amphitheatre. VSU auditioned, cast, and hired a mix of professional performers, current Valdosta State Theatre students and faculty, as well as returning theatre graduates and staff to manage the program.

Dedicated to musicals, the first Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival season opened with performances of "The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd," "Tintypes,"and "The Robber Bridegroom."

Peach State Summer Theatre

For 15 years, VSU Theatre reps travelled to Jekyll Island to present three musicals during a 9-week period. By 2005, budget restraints within the state's university system resulted in moving the program from Jekyll to Valdosta and the creation of Peach State Summer Theatre, or PSST.

Peach State has maintained the repertory tradition of the Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival by presenting three musicals each summer in VSU's Sawyer Theatre in the Fine Arts Building. Casting notices take two to three years to reach potential employees.

Georgia House Bill 343

06 LC 21 8106/AP

House Bill 343 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Borders of the 175th, Black of the 174th, Shaw of the 176th, and Houston of the 170th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

To amend Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to other state symbols, so as to designate the Valdosta State Universitys Peach State Summer Theatre as Georgias Official Musical Theatre; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1. WHEREAS, the partnership between Valdosta State University and the Jekyll Island Authority to produce the Jekyll Island Musical Theatre has been dissolved and Valdosta State University has moved its summer theatre program to the Valdosta State University campus as the Peach State Summer Theatre; and
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia has recognized the importance of tourism to the economic and cultural well-being of its people through the establishment of the Department of Economic Development; and

WHEREAS, the enhancement of tourist attractions in Georgia, which would encourage tourists to extend their stay in Georgia, benefits the state; and
WHEREAS, many groups in the state are working to improve the quality of artistic and recreational experiences for Georgia residents and for out-of-state tourists as well; and

WHEREAS, the existence of musical theatre is a vital component of the artistic and cultural life of Georgia; and Georgia is committed to encourage and support artists activities of the highest quality for the enjoyment and enrichment of the citizens; and

WHEREAS, Valdosta State University, a unit of the University System of Georgia, has received a Regents Award for Excellence in the Theatre and has a 15 year history of producing the Jekyll Island Musical Theatre Festival, a professional repertory musical theatre company; and

WHEREAS, Valdosta State University is moving its summer theatre to Valdosta, Georgia, and will continue to present musical theatre of outstanding artistry to residents and tourists; and

WHEREAS, that summer theatre is named the Peach State Summer Theatre in celebration of the State of Georgia.

SECTION 2. Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to other state symbols, is amended by striking in its entirety Code Section 50-3-69, relating to the official musical theatre, and inserting in lieu thereof the following: "50-3-69. (a) The 'Jekyll Island Musical Peach State Summer Theatre Festival' is designated as the official musical theatre of the State of Georgia. (b) The Department of Economic Development and other public agencies and leaders in the tourism industry are encouraged to work together to maximize advertising programs which permit citizens of other states and nations to learn of the Jekyll Island Musical Peach State Summer Theatre Festival and to visit the State of Georgia for tourism purposes."

  SECTION 3. All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.

Georgia Law

The law designating the "Peach State Summer Theatre" as the official Georgia state musical theatre is found in the Georgia Code, Title 50, Chapter 3, Section 50-3-69.

TITLE 50 - STATE GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER 3 - STATE FLAG, SEAL, AND OTHER SYMBOLS
ARTICLE 3 - OTHER STATE SYMBOLS
§ 50-3-69 - Official musical theatre
O.C.G.A. 50-3-69 (2010)
50-3-69. Official musical theatre

(a) The "Peach State Summer Theatre" is designated as the official musical theatre of the State of Georgia.

(b) The Department of Economic Development and other public agencies and leaders in the tourism industry are encouraged to work together to maximize advertising programs which permit citizens of other states and nations to learn of the Peach State Summer Theatre and to visit the State of Georgia for tourism purposes.