Producer Lauren Waring Douglas is set to unveil a special preview of her documentary, When Porgy Came Home, at Spoleto Festival USA on June 2, 2026, at 7 pm at the Gaillard Center in Charleston, South Carolina.
Reclaiming Catfish Row: Lauren Waring Douglas Premieres When Porgy Came Home at Spoleto Festival USA
The film dives deep into the historical and cultural significance of Porgy & Bess, an opera rooted in Gullah culture that was later shaped by the realities of the Jim Crow era. The documentary chronicles how the Gullah people ultimately reclaimed the world’s most famous opera. A pivotal moment in this history occurred in 1970, when the opera finally premiered in Charleston with an all-Gullah cast performing before the city’s first integrated audience.
The preview event, which was free to the public (and is now sold out), will be hosted by Carolyn Murray and feature performances and a critical panel discussion. Attendees will hear from artist Jonathan Green and members of the legendary 1970 cast, including Dr. Annette McKenzie Anderson, Mr. Anthony Burke, and Mrs. Annette Spann Lewis.
This special sneak peek promises to be a moving exploration of heritage and artistic ownership, illuminating the untold story behind Porgy & Bess. Learn more at spoletousa.org/events/the-untold-story-behind-porgy-bess/.
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