The Beginnings
The Theatre was built by Mr. Albert Sottile, President of Pastime Amusement Company, with construction commencing in 1922. It was originally named the Gloria Theatre and opened its doors on August 20, 1927, showing Norma Shearer's After Midnight. With 2,000 seats, the Theatre was the largest of its kind in the State of South Carolina.
The Theatre served as both a vaudeville house and movie theatre and was designed as a smaller example of the great movie places of the era. The South Carolina premiere of Gone with the Wind, which highlighted the "charm and grace" of Charleston, was held at the Theatre with most of the cast present.
The Theatre served primarily as a movie house until it closed its doors in 1975. The building was donated to the College of Charleston by the Sottile family and the Pastime Amusement Company.
The Restoration
College of Charleston President, Dr. Harry M. Lightsey, Jr., began refurbishing the Theatre in 1986, and it reopened in February 1990. The renovations preserved many of the unique features of the original theater, and added considerable new space to the facility. A modern heating and air conditioning system was added. The stage was expanded by the construction of a twelve foot apron, and the original orchestra pit was enlarged to accommodate more complex musical productions. A large two-story wing was added to the building to provide expanded dressing rooms and scenery storage.
The Sottile of Today
The main auditorium still features a shimmering blue sky-like dome with twinkling stars created from lights above. Side archways are covered with ornamental ironwork and the original domed ceiling is surrounded by a plaster oculus. The stage is framed by a proscenium trimmed with molding. The lobbies were completely renovated and a new second floor lobby was constructed to serve the balconies. The second floor plaza opens onto a covered porch that overlooks George Street.
Today the Sottile Theatre hosts a wide variety of performing art events, serving as the site of College of Charleston performances and programs, as well as many community and privately sponsored events.
