You can be an Essential GRAPHICS DESIGNER!

Essential Theatre seeks a talented graphics designer who enjoys theatre and is able to work for a small stipend and tickets.

The Essential Theatre has long been the leading champion of Georgia playwrights, producing and developing many new plays by local writers.  Coming up in 2012, we’ll be celebrating the 25th year of our existence by presenting our first-ever ALL GEORGIA PLAY FESTIVAL!
 
EVELYN IN PURGATORY by Topher Payne
World Premiere!
Five public school teachers are caught in the limbo of the disciplinary “Rubber Room”, waiting for their cases to be heard and their fates decided.  Poignant and funny, it’s like The Breakfast Club for teachers, as they share secrets with each other and begin to look into their own hearts.  Winner of the 2012 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award.  
 
BAT-HAMLET by Jordan Pulliam
World Premiere!
What if Shakespeare had conceived the melancholy Dane as a costumed crimefighter?  The worlds of comic books and the Bard of Avon come together in this hilarious mash-up, a tale of murder and revenge, poetry and BAM!  SOCK!  POW! 
 
THE LOCAL by Local Authors
World Premiere!
A collaborative theatre project about the City of Atlanta, by the writers of Atlanta, to be developed and directed by Ellen McQueen, award-winning director of Ice Glen and Sally and Glen at the Palace.  A similar project is happening in Tampa, Florida, and we hope to reach out to theatres around the country to eventually make this a nation-wide phenomenon. 

If you are interested, please email mperloe AT EssentialTheatre.com or post a comment. We can provide more information about the plays as well as graphics required. Thanks.

Essential Theatre Seeks Play Submission for THE LOCAL

The Essential Theatre invites Georgia writers to submit short plays to be considered for THE LOCAL, a collaborative theatre project about the City of Atlanta to be developed and directed by Ellen McQueen, for production in the next Essential Theatre Play Festival (coming up in the summer of 2012).  A similar project is currently in development by Stagewrights, a company in Tampa, Florida.

All plays must be set at a specific location in the Metropolitan Atlanta area, and all of them must, in some way, touch upon the subject of homelessness.  The scripts do not have to be about the homeless (although they can be) and do not have to have homeless characters onstage (although they can).  The idea is to have homelessness be the thread connecting all the pieces, but the subject may be treated glancingly (even a single sentence or image), be absolutely central or anything in between.  Writers may also interpret their definition of “homelessness”.  We hope to receive submissions with a wide variety of styles and tones, set at many different locations around the city, and we’re open to the possibilities of incorporating music and movement in the submitted material.

Scripts can have running time of anywhere from two to twenty minutes, and should feature small casts of no more than five.  The submission deadline will be on January 15, 2012.  Multiple submissions are allowed.  All writers will retain the rights to their own work.  All writers will be paid something; the budgeted royalties for this piece will be $30.00 per performance, so how much individual writers will be paid will depend on how many pieces are chosen. 

Submissions can be e-mailed to pmhardy@aol.com, or sent to

The Essential Theatre

1414 Foxhall Lane #10

Atlanta, GA  30316

For more information about the Essential Theatre, to read about our 25-year history of bringing new plays to Atlanta audiences, please visit our website at www.EssentialTheatre.com.

MAT Awards

We're proud and happy to announce that the Essential Theatre's production of Rita Dove's THE DARKER FACE OF THE EARTH, directed by Betty Hart, has won the Metropolitan Atlanta Theater Award for Best Ensemble In A Play.  This is the thirteenth MAT Award that the Essential Theatre was won in the past four years.

Sally and Glen Return to the Palace

SALLY AND GLEN AT THE PALACE, written by Essential's Artistic Director Peter Hardy, will be given a staged reading at the Tallapoosa Theatre Festival (located west of Atlanta) on August 27.  For more information
SALLY AND GLEN was a big hit with both critics and audiences when it was produced as part of the 2010 Essential Theatre Play Festival, ending up on "Best of the Year" lists for both The Sunday Paper and Atlanta Theater Buzz, while Hardy was Creative Loafing's Critic's Pick for Best Atlanta Playwright.

The 2011 Essential Theatre Play Festival has one more week!

The 2011 Essential Theatre Play Festival has one more week!  We close July 31.  Visit www.EssentialTheatre.com for tickets.
 
“I wish everyone in the Atlanta theatre scene would come out and see Essential's fine work."
Yolanda Asher (Founding Member of the Suzi Awards)

“I am so impressed with the amazing season you have put together.”
Paul Holly (Founding Member of the Suzi Awards)

“Congratulations on assembling another three diverse, thought-provoking and entertaining plays, wonderfully directed and acted by some of Atlanta's best talent.”
Bill Murphey (Suzi Award-Winning Actor)

Monday, July 25 - A SLEEPING COUNTRY (Industry Night) 8 p.m.
Tuesday, July 26 – “My Brother’s Knife” Play Reading, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 27 – “The Spins” Play Reading, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 28 - GREAT FALLS 8 p.m.
Friday, July 29 - A THOUSAND CIRCLETS, 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 30 - A SLEEPING COUNTRY, 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 31 -- GREAT FALLS, 2 p.m.

GREAT FALLS - An Atlanta Theater Fans Critique

"Confessions are good for the soul – so they say. For many people, and families, bringing a secret into the light of day is a healing process. Like any family, the one in Essential Theatre’s Great Falls, holds its share of baggage and secrets."

 

"The play takes the audience on a parallel emotional journey to the characters’ own trip through the scenic west. A play this emotional requires a talented cast and well-crafted dialogue. If a play is poorly written, great acting can save it and vice-versa. Audiences seeing Great Falls don’t have any worry; it excels in both."

"Both Emmett Furrow and Ashleigh Hoppe bring emotional depth and a genuine sense of humanity to each of their characters to win the audience over. Great Falls takes us on a journey to discover ourselves and confront our own hurts and fears as we watch two characters fall apart and heal onstage. If nothing else, the acting alone makes this play worth seeing." Kenny Norton

READ MORE

Why haven't you seend "A Thousand Circlets" yet?

There are a limited number of performances remainging to see Essential Theatre's world premiere production of Theroun Patterson's prize winning play, "A Thousand Circlets". You don't want to miss this one. 

"Essential Theatre's production of Theroun Patterson's A THOUSAND CIRCLETS is wonderful. Theroun Patterson's writing is smart, funny, tender, painful, and absolutely real."

Jo Howarth Noonan

“A Thousand Circlets is powerful and well played. The complex family dynamic reminds me of Long Days Journey into Night."

Rebecca B. Rogers

“Theroun Patterson’s A Thousand Circlets is another artistic coup for the Essential Theatre’s Play Festival. Theroun’s writing is both poetic and pure.  It evokes both tears and joy, sometimes simultaneously. The cast of strong actors is made even stronger by Betty Hart’s direction. I am going back. You should come too. “
Sarah Emma Hall

"A Thousand Circlets was stellar in writing and production. Thank you all!"

Valetta Anderson

“Saw The Essential Theatre production of Theroun Patterson's A Thousand Circlets. Enjoyed it. Two more plays to see. This festival is a great event for Atlanta."

James Beck

"Exceptional work -- all around. We saw A Thousand Circlets and Great Falls this past weekend. Dynamic, thought-provoking stagecraft."

Ralph Caldwell

“Saw a really great play yesterday evening, A Thousand Circlets by Theroun Patterson at Actors Express...wonderfully written, staged and performed!!”

Sherry Lee

Audience Speaks Out About Essential's GREAT FALLS

"So enjoyed Great Falls last night. Ellen McQueen's superb direction led two very talented, "new on the Atlanta scene" actors down the road to discovery. Thanks for the trip! Great work!" Paul Holly


"People! Go see GREAT FALLS and all the wonderful plays at Essential Theatre! GREAT FALLS is amazing! Ashleigh Hoppe rocked it!" Bree Dawn Shannon

"Saw Great Falls tonight. Not to be missed. Great story great characters wonderful performances and as usual inspired directing. See it. " Jayson Smith

"Congrats on the Great Falls emotional roller coaster, it's an intense ride, the actors did a wonderful job and the directing and scene design really capture the glorious melancholy of vast spaces and journeys into the past." Karla Jennings 

"Another incredibly strong performance of the Essential Theatre Festival.  Great Falls is a lovely play that is directed and performed beautifully. Kudos to Mr. Hardy and the entire production team and cast. The Essential Theatre Festival has become one of my favorite events of the summer. I can't wait to see the rest of the plays!" Amanda Cucher
 

"A Thousand Circlets" Audience Comments

"Essential Theatre's production of Theroun Patterson's A THOUSAND CIRCLETS is wonderful. Theroun Patterson's writing is smart, funny, tender, painful, and absolutely real. The performances are honest. Betty Hart's direction is spot on. It's hard for me to watch anything about Alzheimer's as it always hits a little too close to home. This production was no exception but the relationship between husband and wife was one of the more honest depictions I ever seen of the pain, anger, and confusion that rains down in the early days of diagnosis. I will be seeing it again...as soon as I see the other two shows in the festival -- A SLEEPING COUNTRY & GREAT FALLS." Jo Howarth Noonan

Essential Theatre Pajama Party

A good time was had by all at Essential Theatre's "A Sleeping Country" Pajama Party.
Thanks to Nancy Johnson for the great photos! 

GREAT FALLS Audience Speaks Out

Bitch & MonkeyMan @ Great Falls

"So enjoyed Great Falls last night. Ellen McQueen's superb direction led two very talented, "new on the Atlanta scene" actors down the road to discovery. Thanks for the trip! Great work!"
Paul Holly 

"People! Go see GREAT FALLS and all the wonderful plays at Essential Theatre! GREAT FALLS is amazing! Ashleigh Hoppe rocked it!"
Bree Dawn Shannon

"Saw Great Falls tonight. Not to be missed. Great story great characters wonderful performances and as usual inspired directing. See it. "
Jayson Smith

"Congrats on the Great Falls emotional roller coaster, it's an intense ride, the actors did a wonderful job and the directing and scene design really capture the glorious melancholy of vast spaces and journeys into the past."
Karla Jennings

"Another incredibly strong performance of the Essential Theatre Festival.  Great Falls is a lovely play that is directed and performed beautifully. Kudos to Mr. Hardy and the entire production team and cast. The Essential Theatre Festival has become one of my favorite events of the summer. I can't wait to see the rest of the plays!"
Amanda Cucher

July 9 "A Sleeping Country" PJ Party Prize

Attend the Saturday July 9^th performance of Essential Theatre’s “A Sleeping Country” in your pajamas and you'll receive a free ticket plus cookies and milk. After the performance, Dr. Midge and the audience will help choosing a deserving insomniac to award a door prize. Wear your PJs and bring your friends for a fun-filled, laugh a minute theatre and you may win a 'naughty' gift from www.SlumberPartiesbySheilah.com.  

A Thousand Circlets by Theroun D'Arcy Patterson

Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre Awards Recognizes Essential's Excellence

Last year's Essential Theatre Play Festival has received nine nominations from the 2011 Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre Awards.  Over the previous three seasons, the Essential Theatre has received twenty-six nominations and won eleven awards.

Gabriel Jason Dean's QUALITIES OF STARLIGHT was nominated for Best Original Work. 

Rita Dove's THE DARKER FACE OF THE EARTH received nominations for Best Ensemble, Best Direction (Betty Hart), Best Sound Design (Jon Summers), Best Lighting Design (Trish Harris), Best Costume Design (Jane Kroessig), Best Major Supporting Actress (A. Sabreena Farmer), Best Minor Supporting Actor (John Doyle) and Best Minor Supporting Actress (Deborah Harris).

The MAT Awards will be presented in a ceremony on September 25.

People are Talking About "A Sleeping Country"

“A charming evening, a damned funny show. Fans of neurotic Woody Allen comedies will feel at home with this story of Julia and her insomnia. Like that second shot of limoncello, you know you really shouldn’t, but it’s so light, sweet and refreshing … and heck, it’s summer.” Andrew Alexander, www.ArtsCriticATL.com
“Hey people, you should all get over to The Essential Theatre and check out Megan Hayes, Matthew Myers, Holly Stevenson and Kelly Criss in A Sleeping Country, superbly directed by Peter Hardy. It's smart and funny.” Larry Davis

“Go see it! Great show last night!” Kathleen McManus

“Hope everyone in metro-Atlanta goes to see The Essential Theatre's A Sleeping Country this month. Don't miss the fine direction of Peter Hardy and his dream cast of Kelly Criss Felten, Megan Hayes, Matthew Myers and Holly Stevenson. ♥ Well done, y'all!” Yolanda Asher

"I had a great time! Awesome show!" Kylie Brown

“I think it should be a big hit.” Bill Murphey
“I saw A Sleeping Country this week at Essential Theatre. What a funny and heart warming script. A delightful cast, this one is not to be missed.” Dewayne Morgan

“A great fun show.” Michael Strauss

“Enjoyed seeing friends Matthew Myers and Megan Hayes flex their chops in the funny new Melanie Marnich comedy, A Sleeping Country. Congrats Peter Hardy, Mark Perloe and all involved.” Clifton Guterman

“As an insomniac, I heartily endorse this performance. Really nice work.” Bart Hansard
“We enjoyed A Sleeping Country at Essential Theatre and are looking forward to the next two shows in the festival this year.” Betty Mitchell

Fri. Jul 1: "A Sleeping Country" Talkback with Sleep Expert Dr. Michael Rinow

Join in the brief discussion on the evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders with Dr. Michael Rinow, director of the Northside Hospital Sleep Center.

Dr. Rinow is a native of Upstate New York, Dr. Rinow received his Medical Degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He completed his Medical Residency and Pulmonary Fellowship at SUNY at Buffalo. After working as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at SUNYAB for 10 years, he was the Medical Director for the Critical Care Units and Respiratory therapy departments at a community hospital in Western NY. He moved to Atlanta in 1997 and worked as a Pulmonologist/Critical Care physician for Kaiser Permanente. He has been involved in the care of sleep medicine patients for over 30 years. He is boarded in Pulmonary Diseases, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine.

JOIN OUR $13 for 13 YEARS CAMPAIGN

What do you do when you simply can't sleep?

Julia Fracassi can't get to sleep. Her insomnia has ruined the relationship with her boyfriend and has made her miserable. With guidance from her friend Dr. Midge, she embarks on a hilarious journey to Venice to find answers. Come along for the journey. Learn More.

Dr. Midge's recommendations are anything but orthodox. So, we'd like to ask for your help. Please post comments with your suggestions. Dr. Midge will consider all your suggestions and offer two free tickets to any Essential Theatre Festival performance for the best advice. We need your advice prior to July 4th, so we can help Julia get a good night's sleep.

Local actor Theroun Patterson is successfully making the transition to award-winning playwright.

One of the more disconcerting recent developments on the Atlanta theater scene is Theroun Patterson’s decision to stop acting, at the relatively prime age of 37. Read More



Video Interview with Essenial Theatre 2011 Playwriting Award Winner, Theroun D'Arcy Patterson

The 2011 Bare Essentials Reading Series

June 13

“CITATIONS” by Josh Harmon

Directed by Barbara Hawkins-Scott

A famous and successful historian is accused of plagiarism, and all those close to her rally to her defense – except for her teenage son.  By the author of “Bad Jews”, Playwright In Residence at Actor’s Express.

July 20

“A PAIN IN THE NECK” by Rachel Teagle

Directed by Dina Shadwell

Mina thinks her girlfriend might be cheating on her -- with a man, which would be bad enough, but he could also be a vampire, which would really suck.  (Sorry.)  This dark comedy was a finalist in the 2011 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award competition.

July 26

“MY BROTHER’S KNIFE” by Joshua Mikel

Directed by Amber Bradshaw

Wayne just wants to kill himself, but this psychotic deputy sheriff takes him prisoner, tormenting him and forcing him to play old rock and roll tunes.  What is going on here?  This surreal journey into the past was a finalist in the 2011 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award competition.

July 27

“THE SPINS” by Sara Crawford

Directed by Curtis Krick

Music always sounds better on vinyl, and the spinning of a record on a turntable is echoed by the drunken emotional vertigo of a young woman haunted by the death of her musician brother.  Written by Creative Loafing’s Reader’s Choice for Best Local Songwriter, this play was a finalist in the 2011 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award competition.

Take Action Against High Gas Prices

Buy your Essential Theatre Flex Pass and Save Even More
Get a Flex Pass between now and June 15th and in addition to the savings up to 50%, we will pay for gas. Enter the code "GAS" when you purchase your Flex Pass and you save $5.

Flex Pass FAQ

How does the Flex Pass work?
When you purchase a three, six or ten ticket Flex Pass, you can use those tickets however you wish. You can bring a big party on one night or divide your tickets across multiple performances. You can use them all for one play, or you can use your pass to see all three plays at different times.

Are all Flex Passes good for the same number of admissions? If so, what is that number?
No, you can get a Flex Pass good for 3, 6, or 10 tickets. This will be reflected both in the name of the Flex Pass and its price.

Are there restrictions on which performances the Flex Passes are good for?
There are no blackout dates or restrictions, and you can even wait until a few hours before a performance to get your tickets online. In order to redeem the tickets on your Flex Pass, you MUST reserve tickets online, however!

How do I redeem my Flex Pass for tickets to see a show?
To redeem your Flex Pass for tickets to a particular performance, simply visit OvationTix online and redeem as many tickets as you're ready to reserve at that time, up to the number of remaining tickets on your Flex Pass, of course.

What if I purchase the ten ticket Flex Pass, but I only want to reserve one or two of the tickets now?
You don't need to reserve all your tickets at a single visit. You can visit the website again to select your remaining tickets. You just use them when you need them. For example, if you buy a ten ticket Flex Pass, you can see one performance by yourself and later choose to use your remaining tickets to come back with eight friends on another night. Whenever you want, simply go online and choose up to your remaining number of tickets for whichever show you want to see.

Do I need to actually make a reservation, or can I just present my Flex Pass at the box office?
The box office is not able to redeem or sell Flex Passes directly at the time of a performance. You MUST redeem your Flex Pass online prior to arriving at the theatre. If you have difficulty, you can call OvationTix at 866.811.4111. While the box office is unable to process or sell Flex Passes at the time of the performance, you may redeem your Flex Pass up until a few hours before whatever show you'd like to attend, by logging in online.

What if I haven't used all the tickets on my Flex Pass by the time the Festival ends?
If you find you cannot use all the tickets on your Flex Pass, you can donate any remaining tickets as a tax-deductible donation by notifying us at Info@EssentialTheatre.com

Once I've bought a single ticket for a Festival show, can I later decide to buy a Flex Pass and get a refund for the regular ticket I've already purchased?
No, single tickets can't be credited to a Flex Pass once they've been purchased separately. So get your Flex Pass today and start saving!