Award-Winning Broadway musical coming to Greenville through national grant initiative

This is a powerful new musical chronicling the fight for women's suffrage and the passage of the 19th Amendment. Presented through the Greenville County Schools All County Theatre Program, Greenville County was selected as one of only twelve educational programs nationwide to receive the inaugural SUFFS: The Young Are at the Gates Grant, providing a unique opportunity for students to bring this timely and inspiring story to local audiences.

The production will be presented July 7, 8, and 9, 2026, at 7 pm at Greenville High School. All performances are free and open to the public. While admission is free, reserved tickets are required due to limited seating and strong community interest. Reserve tickets here. (https://gcsallcountytheatre.ludus.com/200534795).

The grant was created through a partnership between the Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF), Music Theatre International (MTI), and Tony Award-winning creator Shaina Taub. It is designed to bring the acclaimed musical to student performers before its general release to schools nationwide. Selected programs received complimentary licensing and production materials after submitting proposals demonstrating how they would connect the production to meaningful community engagement and educational outreach.

Greenville County Schools joins an elite group of educational theatre programs across the United States chosen to produce the work. The selection committee included representatives from the Broadway production of SUFFS, including creator Shaina Taub and members of the show's creative team.

Featuring a cast and creative team comprised of students from schools across Greenville County, SUFFS tells the story of the women who fought tirelessly for equality and voting rights. Through its stirring score and compelling storytelling, the musical explores themes of civic engagement, perseverance, leadership, and the enduring power of young people to create meaningful change.

The 2026 production marks the second annual Greenville County Schools All County Theatre production, following the highly successful inaugural production of Hadestown: Teen Edition.

Harry  Culpepper Jr., Lead Theatre Teacher for Greenville County Schools, created and established the all0county program to provide exceptional theatrical opportunities for students from across the district, the All County Theatre Program brings together young artists from diverse schools and backgrounds to collaborate on high-quality theatrical experiences while fostering leadership, creativity, and community.

"This opportunity is about so much more than producing a musical," he said. "Our students are telling a story that changed the course of American history. To be one of only twelve programs in the nation selected for this grant is an incredible honor. We are especially excited to share this production with our community free of charge and to make this important story accessible to everyone."

The Greenville County Schools All County Theatre Program continues to expand access to arts education by creating opportunities for students regardless of their school's theatre offerings. Through district-wide collaboration, students gain the opportunity to work alongside peers from across Greenville County while engaging in meaningful artistic and educational experiences.

Tickets for SUFFS: The Young Are at the Gates are free but require advance reservation. Community members are encouraged to reserve tickets early, as seating is limited.

About SUFFS:

Created by Tony Award-winning writer and composer Shaina Taub, SUFFS tells the story of the American suffragists who fought for and secured women's right to vote. The Broadway production received widespread critical acclaim, earning multiple Tony Awards and celebrating the power of civic engagement, advocacy, and perseverance.

About the Greenville County Schools All County Theatre Progra:

The Greenville County Schools All County Theatre Program provides collaborative, high-quality theatrical experiences for students from across the district. Through large-scale productions and educational opportunities, the program develops artistic excellence, leadership, collaboration, and community engagement among student performers and technicians. Participation is open to students from throughout Greenville County Schools, creating opportunities for young artists to learn, create, and perform together on a county-wide stage.

About the Educational Theatre Foundation and Educational Theatre Association:

The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) is the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), the international nonprofit organization that serves as the professional association for theatre educators and the parent organization of the International Thespian Society. Together, ETF and EdTA work to advance excellence in theatre education by providing grants, scholarships, professional development, advocacy, and educational resources for students and teachers. Through innovative partnerships and national initiatives such as SUFFS: The Young Are at the Gates, ETF and EdTA help ensure that students across the country have access to transformative theatrical experiences that foster creativity, collaboration, communication, and leadership.