Our History

Mill Town Players was launched on July 1, 2014, in the Historic Pelzer Auditorium with the announcement of the inaugural season and the unique mission of offering quality and affordable theater in Pelzer, SC. Local theater educator and artist Will Ragland had dreamed of starting a new company that would bring live theater to new audiences in the Upstate. Always Patsy Cline was the first show directed by Ragland, starring Upstate stage veteran Katie Rockwell, and played to packed houses. MTP was officially born.

Since its humble beginning, Mill Town Players has been recognized for artistic achievement and its positive impact on the community. In 2016, MTP received the Founders Award from the SC Theatre Association. It is the most prestigious award SCTA bestows to recognize the individual or organization that has made the most significant contribution to theater in SC. MTP has also won top honors in the state community theater festival in 2014, 2016, and 2018, 3rd Place in the Southeast in 2017, and winner of the Southeastern Theatre Conference Community Theatre Festival in 2019. MTP competed at AACTFest 2019 in Gettysburg, PA, winning Best Costumes and recognition for Ensemble Performance and Acting. This was the first time a SC team has competed at Nationals since 1985.

Now in its 10th season, Mill Town Players continues to be one of the most affordable and attended community theaters in South Carolina.

Nancy Burkard
President

Carter McCauley
Vice President

Donna Norman
Secretary

Veronica Mackey
Treasurer

Beverly Clowney

Kisha Edwards-Gandsy

Shannon Faulkner

Joe Welborn

Will Ragland

Executive Artistic Director
will@milltownplayers.org

Will Ragland, a Powdersville native and product of Anderson School District One, founded the Mill Town Players in 2014 and is delighted to serve as Executive Artistic Director. He has worked in Upstate theaters for 28 years, mainly as an actor, director, and scenic designer in over 150 productions. Will holds a BA in Studio Art from Davidson College and an MA in Theatre Production from Central Washington University. He was named as one of the Anderson Independent Mail’s 20 under 40 emerging leaders, was a member of Leadership Anderson Class 34, is Past President of the SC Theatre Association, and serves as Mayor of Pelzer. He is grateful for the opportunity to enrich the community through quality, affordable live theater.

Austin Dowling

Scene Shop Foreman
austin@milltownplayers.org

Austin grew up in Boiling Springs, SC, and currently lives in Anderson with his beautiful wife Carly. He recently graduated from the SC School of the Arts at Anderson University in May 2022 with a BFA in acting. During his college years, he enjoyed both his acting experiences and also his role as a work study building sets for many shows such as XANADU, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, and GUYS AND DOLLS. Austin has continued to grow in his passion for creating quality theater for the community. He enjoys crafting worlds that the actors can live in as they perform each show.

Cameron Woodson

Artistic Associate
cameron@milltownplayers.org

Cameron Woodson is a visual and theatrical artist living in Pelzer who specializes in acting, cartoons, designing, and directing. He is beyond proud to serve as Artistic Associate for the Mill Town Players. Since 2016, he has worked on an assortment of shows with MTP, both on and off the stage. Cameron has taken on positions with the theater company as an actor, scenic designer, costume designer, scenic builder, stage manager, technician, and various oddball jobs as an intern. Cameron holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Coastal Carolina University. He was awarded Best Scenic Design in SCTA’s Community Theatre Festival in 2019. He is deeply passionate, hardworking, and committed to showing the world that great art can truly come from anyone and from anywhere.