For Playwrights, a Reminder

The submission deadline is coming up for the 2011 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award competition. Unproduced plays by Georgia playwrights are eligible; there are no restrictions as to style, subject matter or length (though preference is given to plays with a running time of at least an hour). The winning playwright will receive a cash prize of $600, and the play will be given a full production as part of the 2011 Essential Theatre Play Festival.

The script submission deadline is April 23, 2010.

Submissions for the 2011 festival can be e-mailed to pmhardy@aol.com in pdf or MSWord format or sent by regular mail to the address below. If you submit it to us in some format that we can’t open, we will let you know and you can send it to us by regular mail.

Essential Theatre
1414 Foxhall Lane #10
Atlanta, GA 30316

There is no submission fee.

Please make sure that your contact information is on the front page of the script, and that your script pages are numbered!

Also, please, do yourself a favor and proof-read your script before sending it in. Using spell-check isn’t enough. Learn the difference between “there” and “their” and “they’re.”

The 2010 Essential Theatre Play Festival will be running from July 8 – August 8 at Actor’s Express, featuring the Southeastern Premiere of Rita Dove’s THE DARKER FACE OF THE EARTH, the Georgia Premiere (and second-ever production) of Peter Hardy’s SALLY AND GLEN AT THE PALACE, and the World Premiere of Gabriel Dean’s QUALITIES OF STARLIGHT, Winner of the 2010 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award competition.

For more information, please visit www.EssentialTheatre.com.

Thank You IHG Hotel Indigo

Essential Theatre is grateful to support from the International Hotel Group and Atlanta Hotel Indigo in their support for the 2010 Essential Theatre Play Festival. Ms. Rita Dove, "Darker Face of the Earth" playwright, and Pulitzer prize winning US Poet Laura will attend our opening festival.

A big thank you to the International Hotel Group for their support. Please visit their website to learn more.

Essential Theatre Preview Celebration: GA Wines & GA Playwrights

Help celebrate Georgia playwrights, Georgia wines and Georgia theatre on June 27th at 5:30 pm at the Essential Theatre Festival Preview Celebration at the Atlanta Four Seasons Hotel. Stay tuned for more information. We would gratefully appreciate your donation of an item or service for the silent auction fundraiser. Send a message or read the attached sponsorship/donation information.

Advice to Playwrights Starting Out

Some of this advice was given to me over the years by smart people, but I don’t really remember who said what, so you should just do it. It’s good advice, most of it. There are other things to do too, probably. Also, this is advice for starting out. You might do different things after you playwright a while. Remember that everyone has their own path. These might not all be helpful for you. So find what works for you. Good luck! ~ Adam Szymkowicz

Essential Theatre Seeks Those with a Passion for Theatre

If you have a passion for theatre and want to help support our mission, please consider becoming a board member. MORE INFORMATION

What Makes a #NewPlay "New"?

An interesting discussion on what makes a play new.

Rita Dove waxes poetic with Creative Loafings' Curt Holman

Many of your poems involve historical events and figures, like the “Not Welcome Here” poems in your American Smooth volume. Do you write historical poems any differently than the others?
I do research, but I don’t think I approach those poems differently than I do others. The research is driven by curiosity more than anything else. When it’s done, while writing the poem I try to forget the research, although I have to make sure I get my facts straight. When I wrote the play Darker Face of the Earth, I had to do the research first, but writing, it’s just these characters and assigning their personalities.

Essential Theatre is producing that play this summer. Is it true the story is Oedipus on a slave plantation?
That’s it, in a pretty small nut. When I began working on the play, I was trying to understand what it would be like to not know who your mother and father were on a plantation. Around that time I was reading Oedipus and thinking, “How could Oedipus not figure this out?” and then I realized it was much the same thing, and I could transplant that myth. It allowed me to really enliven and embody the story within the scene and scenario of slavery. And it helped me understand Oedipus, and realize that this original text is not dead and buried; it still has to do with real life.

READ THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW

2010 Festival Auditions

The Essential Theatre will hold General Auditions for the 2010 Essential Theatre Play Festival, three full-length plays to run in repertory (with separate casts) from July 8 – August 8, performing in the Actor’s Express space. (Performance schedules for the individual plays to be announced.) Non-union, most performers will be paid a stipend. General Auditions will be held on February 20 and 21 (location and time to be determined). Call 404-212-0815 or e-mail pmhardy@aol.com to schedule an audition appointment. Website www.EssentialTheatre.com. For audition, bring headshot and prepare two contrasting monologues (comic, dramatic, contemporary, classical – whatever) not totaling more than 4 minutes in length. If you sing, bring in about 30 seconds of something to sing without accompaniment.

The plays: THE DARKER FACE OF THE EARTH by Rita Dove, directed by Betty Hart. The classical story of Oedipus, from Greek Tragedy, re-imagined on a slave plantation in the American south. Large cast. Many African-American performers needed, both male and female, with possible ages ranging from 12 to 72. One Caucasian female, age around 40, and two Caucasian males, age range 30-50.

SALLY AND GLEN AT THE PALACE by Peter Hardy, directed by Ellen McQueen. Bittersweet comic drama about the friendship between two colleges students working in the lobby of a 1973 movie theatre. One male, one female, both early twenties.

QUALITIES OF STARLIGHT by Gabriel Dean, directed by Peter Hardy. Twisted and poetic family comedy set in rural Georgia, about a young man who discovers that his parents have become addicted to crystal meth. One male in the 50-60 range, one male around 30, one male in the 20-30 range, one male in the 30-50 age range. One female in the 50-60 range, one female around 30.

Lunch with Poet Laureate & Playwright Rita Dove at Georgia Perimeter College

"Ten years ago, on a trip to London, I saw a wonderful production of an extraordinary play at the National Theatre -- THE DARKER FACE OF THE EARTH, written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet (and former Poet Laureate of the United States), Rita Dove. It re-imagined the myth of Oedipus, from Greek Tragedy, setting it on a slave plantation in the American South. I fully expected this play to take America by storm but, to date, it hasn't received a professional production in the Southeast. The Essential Theatre is thrilled to be bringing this stunning play to Atlanta audiences, this summer, as part of the 2010 Essential Theatre Play Festival. And it was especially thrilling to be able to meet Rita Dove, who appeared in Atlanta this past weekend, to serve as Keynote Speaker for Georgia Perimeter College's annual birthday celebration for Martin Luther King, Jr.


Ms. Dove spoke with WABE Between the Lines host, Valerie Jackson about her new book Sonata Mullatica. To learn more about this book, please visit her website and Amazon.com

Ms. Dove was very gracious in greeting myself and Betty Hart (who will direct the play), along with Dr. Mark Perloe, the President of our Board of Directors. Betty was able to chat briefly with Ms. Dove, and make arrangements to discuss the play with her by phone. We're excited to have this distinguished author's input on what we think will be a theatre event that all Atlanta audiences will want to see.

We also had the opportunity to meet and talk with Mark Fitten, editor of the Chattahoochee Review,and Rob Jenkins, chair of the GPC Writer's Institute and Jack Riggs, writer-in-residence, and found out that they have an interest in reaching out to playwrights as well as the prose and fiction writers they have usually published and worked with. We hope that this will help the Essential Theatre in their efforts to support and develop new dramatic work by Georgia writers." ~ Peter Hardy

Essential Congratulates Playwright John Drago

Baby and Jennifer Defy the Laws of Timespace and All That That Implies by Johnny Drago will be presented at Actors Theatre of Louisville as part of the intern showcase. This play was part of the Essential Shorts, a public reading of new short plays written by Working Title Playwrights during the Essential Theatre Festival of Plays at Actor's Express last summer.

I support the Essential Theatre

Gabriel Dean ~ 2010 Playwriting Award Winner

2010 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award Winner

The Essential Theatre is proud to announce that the winner of the 2010 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award competition is Gabriel Dean's Qualities of Starlight, a modern southern family comedy. Gabriel Dean has been working for some years on the Atlanta scene as an actor and playwright, and is currently pursuing an M.F.A. in the Playwriting Program at the University of Texas in Austin. His play Buy My House - Please! recently ran at the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville. Mr. Dean will receive a cash prize of $600.00 and Qualities of Starlight will be produced as part of the 2010 Essential Theatre Play Festival, running at the Actor's Express space in July and August.

Qualities of Starlight
by Gabriel Dean, directed by Peter Hardy
The World Premiere of a twisted family comedy about a successful young astronomer who brings his wife home to the north Georgia mountains and the simple country household in which he grew up. And where his parents are now addicted to crystal meth. Winner of the 2010 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award.

Interview with Playwright Gabriel Dean

Please post your comments, rate Gabriel's comments with a few stars, select Essential Theatre as a channel favorite and subscribe to view upcoming production trailers.

Win an Essential Theatre STAYCATION Package

Win an Essential Theatre STAYCATION Package
including one night stay for two at Marietta's
Whitlock Inn as well as two tickets to a
performance at Theatre-In-The-Square.

Just fill in this brief survey and you will be entered to win. Make a Donation and you double your chances.

Whitlock Inn Come rock on the porch while you soak up some Southern charm. This cherished Victorian bed & breakfast is in a National Register Historic District, one block from the Marietta Square and 20 miles from Atlanta. This mansion has been crowned "the jewel of Marietta" and each of the five guest rooms has a distinctive personality. The Whitlock offers a daily continental breakfast and afternoon snack to guests.

Theatre In The Square Gutsy…grand-slam production…seasoned professionalism…powerhouse performance…well-tuned ensemble…likely to be the season’s most talked about production…rich, rewarding and insightful evening of theatre... Just be sure and buckle up!

December 16 Free Night of Theatre

JIM CROW AND THE RHYTHM DARLINGS by Vynnie Meli, directed by Betty Hart

RETURNING TO THE STAGE FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY

DECEMBER 16th 7pm, Admission is FREE

New Mercies Christian Church, 4000 Five Forks Trickum Rd, Lilburn, GA 30047
World Premiere
Actors: Rachel Bodenstein, Enisha Brewster, Daniel Burnley, DeAndrea Crawford, Nadir Mateen, Delesa Sims
It’s World War Two, and with so many men going off to serve, the previously all-male world of jazz is opening up to women for the first time. The International Rhythm Darlings are an all-female African-American band touring the Deep South, which would be a tough situation in the best of times … but now they’ve got a last-minute replacement in the group, a white Jewish woman, and integrated bands aren’t allowed to play together on stage. Not in the South, not anywhere.

Inspired by the real-life experiences of musicians from that era, Vynnie Meli’s play takes a fascinating look at some extraordinary women who make their way past fear and hatred to find the common threads that bind them together. Winner of the 2009 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award competition, the only prize exclusively dedicated to the work of Georgia playwrights. The Essential Theatre is proud to have developed this play (along with Working Title Playwrights, Jewish Theatre of the South and the Alliance Theatre playwriting class) and to be bringing it to the stage for the first time.

If you enjoy this performance, please visit us online and help support our mission.

Essential Theatre is a recipient of a Google Grant award.

The Google Grants program supports organizations sharing Google's philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts.

Designed for 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, Google Grants is a unique in-kind advertising program harnessing the power of Google AdWords advertising product. Google Grants has awarded AdWords advertising to hundreds of non-profit groups whose missions range from animal welfare to literacy, from supporting homeless children to promoting HIV education.

Invest in Our Success

Over the past twelve years, the Essential Theatre has become a leading voice in the support and development of new plays by Georgia writers. Our annual Essential Theatre Playwriting Award is the only competition of its kind, exclusively dedicated to the work of playwrights from the Peach State. Along with a cash prize, the winner gets to see his or her play given a World Premiere production in the Essential Theatre Festival, along with Regional Premieres by such nationally acclaimed authors as Sam Shepard, Christopher Durang, Paula Vogel and Lanford Wilson.

Here's an added incentive for you to support us with a donation prior to the end of the year. Essential Theatre has been chosen to participate in Google Grants Programs and will waive processing fees for online donations to Essential through the end of the year. This means that the entire amount of your gift will go to support our operations. So, be sure to give before December 31 and win twice, a tax deduction for 2009 and the full amount of your investment in helps us produce great new plays at Essential Theatre. Click here to learn about donation incentives. You win, We win, We all win...

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2010 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award Winner

The Essential Theatre is proud to announce that the winner of the 2010 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award competition is Gabriel Dean’s Qualities of Starlight, a modern southern family comedy. Gabriel Dean has been working for some years on the Atlanta scene as an actor and playwright, and is currently pursuing an M.F.A. in the Playwriting Program at the University of Texas in Austin. His play Buy My House – Please! Is currently running at the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville. Mr. Dean will receive a cash prize of $600.00 and Qualities of Starlight will be produced as part of the 2010 Essential Theatre Play Festival, running at the Actor’s Express space in July and August of next year.

Food for Fish & Cats & Dogs & save $5.

Bring a can or unopened bag of dog or cat food to Essential Theatre's production's of ICE GLEN, FOOD FOR FISH or JIM CROW & THE RHYTHM DARLINGS this weekend and save $5 off the adult ticket price. Collections will be distributed to the Atlanta Humane Society and Pet Rescue.

The 11th Annual Essential Theatre Festival closes this weekend, so don't miss out. And, please no FISH FOOD, we've got that covered already.

Want to know which show performs when? Click here.

Food for Fish photos

Click on the photo to view the entire album.

People are talking about Ice Glen by Joan Ackerman

ICE GLEN by Joan Ackermann
Beautifully written, masterfully delicate direction by Ellen McQueen, precise, delightful and surprising performances all round. Go see it.” Joanna Daniel

“ICE GLEN is both one of the best scripts and best overall productions I've seen in the nine years I've been in Atlanta, and Ellen's direction is flawlessly nuanced. A true "must-see."" Evan Guilford-Blake

"It’s one of the best shows in Atlanta this year!” Leonard Pallats

People are talking about "Jim Crow...."

WMLB Voice of the Arts' Larry Larson interviews playwright Vynnie Meli & director Betty Hart


And, In Print

“Directed by Betty Hart, Jim Crow & The Rhythm Darlings truly captures the love of jazz … the dialogue is quick paced and smart, the issues are diverse, and the acting is powerful. Not every day do you come across an intelligent play that explores gender roles, racism, and religion. Jim Crow & The Rhythm Darlings is a harmonious blend of talent, music, and discussion. Definitely a must see.” Kelechi Ubozoh, Atlanta Theatre Examiner

“Playwright Vynnie Meli’s Jim Crow and the Rhythm Darlings draws from a seemingly bottomless wellspring of drama. Director Betty Hart builds to some undeniably gripping confrontations … Essential Theatre offers an affecting homage to some of the unsung women of jazz.” Curt Holman, Creative Loafing