Harbison Theatre, part of Midlands Technical College in Columbia, is a small performing arts venue that brings talented performers from both national and international stages to the Midlands. If you haven’t visited this charming venue yet, it’s a great time to check it out.
The theater’s Executive Director, Kristin Cobb, aspired to be an actress from a young age. When her family relocated from Tampa, Florida, to Camden, South Carolina, due to her father’s job at DuPont, Cobb initially felt she’d never find her acting career in the “one-horse town.” However, she quickly grew to appreciate the community’s charm, leading her to embrace South Carolina as her home.
Camden fostered her love for the arts, serving as a hub for creative activities. The area provided Artists in Residence for local schools and had a gallery and education division focused on music, dance, pottery, and the visual arts. Cobb actively participated in community theater at the Arts Center of Kershaw County, which had a vibrant local scene.
Over time, Cobb engaged in community theater, even securing an agent and gaining experience in commercials and film projects. Despite her passion for performance, she sought a reliable job to support herself and earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of South Carolina. She eventually became a producer, working in entertainment reporting in Columbia and at a local radio station in Camden. When she had the chance to work at the Arts Center, where she had performed as a child, she eagerly returned to her roots and contributed to the community. Cobb served as the marketing director and later became the executive director at the Arts Center from 2007 to 2017.
In 2017, she was appointed Executive Director of Harbison Theatre, a role she has held for eight years. Cobb emphasizes the importance of the arts in a community and the vital role of connecting people through cultural activities and events. She views the theater as a centerpiece for the Lexington/Irmo area, noting that it is the only mid-sized venue in Columbia. While the arts are traditionally associated with downtown Columbia, Cobb highlights the theater’s convenient parking and intimate 400-seat space, which fosters a close connection between performers and audiences. This emphasis on community passion makes Harbison Theatre a cultural hub.
Cobb is attentive to her audience and enjoys interacting with them. She does curtain speeches for every performance, welcoming attendees and recognizing sponsors, special guests, and audience members celebrating birthdays. This warm interaction is essential to her, and she wants everyone to feel a sense of community from the moment they arrive. Cobb creates an atmosphere where attendees can share in a collective experience, whether it’s through theater or dance, making the theater a space of joy and reflection—even amidst life’s challenges. Outside of her work, Cobb is a proud parent of two grown children and maintains her health through weekly weight training.