York County has unique performing arts venue and it’s run by Clover schools
Since opening its doors in 1994, the Clover School District Auditorium has remained a cultural cornerstone in York County.
While other performing arts centers have closed and funding for the arts has diminished, the CSDA continued to thrive and welcome thousands of patrons each year.
Now, it’s gearing up for its 24th season of its celebrated performing arts series, the venue announced Tuesday.
CSDA wears the crown as the only performing arts series venue in York that hosts performances on a local and national level, according to Clover School District’s spokeswoman Stephanie Knott.
Over the past three decades, more than a million people have gathered at the CSDA to enjoy student performances, graduations, award ceremonies, art exhibitions, concerts, community meetings and a wide variety of special events, as listed on its website.
“It’s a place of learning. A space where ordinary people come together to share extraordinary experiences — moments that inspire, uplift, connect and unite us,” its website said.
Support from outside organizations plays a key role of CSDA’s operations. Outside of the Clover School District, organizations such as the North Carolina Presenters Consortium, South Carolina Arts Commission, Arts Daily and The Hub are all involved with uplifting the CSDA’s mission.
The staff at the auditorium works through a consortium of art leaders to find acts that they believe will be a good fit for the community and also affordable, Knott said.
The auditorium is operated by two full-time staff members: Rick Hamrick, technical director and David Yandle, program director. Beyond organizing the performance series, Hamrick and Yandle play a vital role in supporting student activities and school events.
Hamrick and Yandle also oversee a student employee crew who work as ushers and other behind-the-scenes tasks that are critical to making any performance a success.
With a seating capacity for roughly 1,500 people, the CSDA has hosted some marquee performers on its stage, including Queen Latifah, John Davidson, Jerry Clower, and Jerry Reed. The venue has also welcomed acclaimed groups such as The National Symphony Orchestra, the President’s Marine Band and other military service bands.
There is no other place like it in the Clover area, Knott said, but recently there has been discussions from community members who want a civic space for the performing arts in York County.
In years prior, the York County Arts Council ran a community performance center from 2009 to 2016, when the center closed. The performance center was a pilot project for the Marley Center Initiative, executive director Melanie Cooper said.
As funding has always been the main issue behind getting more spaces for the performing arts, community members, committees and organizations have paired together to develop fundraising efforts to bring more performing arts spaces to York County, said Cooper.
CSDA 24th season series schedule
Starting in September, the CSDA welcomes yet another year of various performances as it promises entertainment and inspiration, according to its release.
Tickets for certain shows range from $5 to $20, and some shows have free admission. The first show will take place on Sept. 18. Seasonal tickets are available for $75, which gets visitors access to all nine shows of the season.
A full schedule CSDA’s 24th Performing Arts Series may be found in this link here.
This story was originally published August 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
