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ANNOUNCING SEASON 35

Urinetown

Music and Lyrics by Mark Hollman, Book and Lyrics by Greg Kotis

Directed by Freddie Ashley

February 2-19, 2023

Pee-pare to laugh!

Yes, that’s really the title. And yes, it is about exactly what you think it is. In the not-so-distant future, a twenty-year drought has depleted the land of water. All citizens are forced to pay the corrupt “Urine Good Company” megacorporation for the, ahem, “privilege to pee.” When the idealistic Bobby Strong decides he has had enough, he leads a ragtag group of rebels in a revolution to pee freely! A Co-Production with Oglethorpe University Theatre.

Oh, to be Pure Again

By Kira Rockwell

March 2-26, 2023

Faith and purity collide with sex and rebellion

During a hot summer at a fundamentalist church camp in Texas, an idealistic young counselor works to shepherd the campers in the girls’ cabin through a delicate phase of self-discovery, only to be confronted with challenges to her own faith. The young women find themselves crashing into the uneasy tension between obedience and rebellion in a culture that is obsessed with their sexual purity.

Prayer for the French Republic

By Joshua Harmon

Directed by Freddie Ashley

April 20-May 14, 2023

Searching for Home Across Five Generations

On the eve of the 2016 French presidential elections, a Parisian doctor fears for the safety of her family amid the rise of antisemitism in France. As she considers relocating to Israel, we flashback to her great-grandparents anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones who have recently been liberated from the concentration camps. This emotionally rich family saga introduces us to five generations yearning for the safety of home. The newest critically acclaimed play from Joshua Harmon (Bad Jews, Skintight).

Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train

By Stephen Adly Guirgis

June 8- July 2nd, 2023

Will one man’s redemption lead to another’s damnation?

At Riker’s Island, a frightened young inmate confronts complex issues of faith when he crosses paths with a charismatic serial killer, a sadistic guard and a jaded public defender. This potent play by Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Adly Guirgis will hit you where you live and make you question what happens when God’s justice differs from man’s.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Text by John Cameron Mitchell, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Trask

Directed by Quinn Xavier Hernandez

July 20 – August 19, 2023

Rock out, Atlanta…she’s baaaaack!

Join “internationally ignored” rock singer Hedwig as she searches the world for stardom and love in this groundbreaking musical that has become one of the great cult classics of all time. A rock and roll explosion for anyone who has ever felt like a misfit, Hedwig and the Angry Inch will have you singing along and unleashing your own inner rock star.

cullud wattah

By Erika Dickerson-Despenza

Directed by Amanda Washington

September 21 – October 14, 2023

How do we choose between the dangers of a truth and the security of a lie?

It is 2016, and it has been 936 days since Flint, Michigan has had clean water. As sole provider for her daughters, sister and elderly mother, third-generation GM employee Marion finds herself on the cusp of a promotion to management. When her sister begins participating in protests against the company for their role in poisoning the water, secrets emerge and tensions mount. This powerful play about the choices we make for the sake of survival was the winner of the 2021 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize.


Amplify Season Three: Sunset on the Dogwood City

By Addae Moon, Natasha Patel and Avery Sharpe

Join us for the third season of AE’s popular anthology podcast series. Following the success of Crossroads and Tucker’s CoveSunset on the Dogwood City is an Atlanta-set thriller that will explore the underbelly that is revealed when something that seems to be pure becomes corrupted. Available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and elsewhere. Check back for release dates.

Libby’s at the Express

December 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 2022

Atlanta icon Libby Whittemore returns to ring in the holiday season once again with her classic “Ho Ho Home for the Holidays and a Connie Sue Day Christmas.” A uniquely Atlanta tradition!

Biography

Amanda Washington is an Atlanta-based freelance director, a National New Play Network Producer in Residency in conjunction with Actor’s Express, and Assistant Faculty at Theatrical Intimacy Education. Amanda currently teaches at Kennesaw State University’s Department of Theatre and Performance Studies as a part-time Assistant Professor. Washington is also the creator of Theatre From My View. A YouTube channel geared toward exploring theatre through a woman of color’s perspective. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from the University of Southern Mississippi. Check out her work at www.washingtonamanda.com.

Biography

Marysa Sutton joined Actor’s Express in July of 2021. She has previously worked in the world of campaign finance and public service. Her theatre credits begin and end with Switzer Elementary School’s production of Santa, You’ve Got Mail where she starred as Ms. Walker.

Biography

Seamus M. Bourne was a Production Manager and Technical Director at Berry College in Rome, Georgia. He has designed scenery at AE for Company, Wolves, Next Fall and Spring Awakening. He has designed scenery or worked in other production capacities throughout Atlanta, including Theatrical Outfit, Aurora Theatre, Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Georgia Shakespeare and Theatre in the Square.

Biography

Freddie Ashley has been Artistic Director of Actor’s Express since 2007. He has directed around 40 AE productions, including The Crucible, Stupid Fucking Bird, Bad Jews, Murder Ballad and World Premieres of Serial Black Face, Broadsword, Albatross and Fair Use

Other directing credits include work with Dad’s Garage, Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Jewish Theatre of the South, Theatre Gael and numerous projects with Aurora Theatre. He has been a frequent guest director or lecturer at such universities as Virginia Commonwealth University, Hendrix College, University of Georgia, Austin Peay State University, South Carolina School of the Arts, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Oglethorpe University.

Prior to joining AE, Freddie served as Literary Manager of the Alliance Theatre (recipient of the 2007 Regional Theatre Tony Award), where he served as dramaturg for around 30 productions. He has developed new plays around the country with the Playwrights’ Center, Kennedy Center, New Group, Page 73, and Jewish Theatre of the South. Ashley has worked on new play projects with some of the most compelling and important writers working in the American theatre today, including John Patrick Shanley, Joshua Harmon, Lindsey Ferrentino, Jen Silverman, Kenneth Lin, Janine Nabers, Marco Ramirez and Michael Lew.

He is a four-time Suzi Bass Award winner and has been named Best Director in Atlanta three times by Creative Loafing. He has received the Elliot Hayes Award for Dramaturgy from the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Medallion of Excellence. 

Ashley is Assistant Professor of Acting at Kennesaw State University, where he has served on the faculty since 2002. He is President of the National New Play Network Board of Directors and holds an MFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi and a BFA in Theatre cum laude from Shorter College. www.freddieashley.com

Biography

Ebony L. Jerry is a former 2017-2018 Actor’s Express Intern. She received her BFA in Performing Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design. Her credits include Suzi Award Winning for Best Ensemble The Wolves playing #8 at Horizon Theater, and Synchronicity Theater’s The Bluest Eye as the swing. She is very excited to be back at Actors Express, where it all began.

Biography

Ali White received her BA in Theatre from the University of Central Florida and graduate certificate in Arts Leadership and Cultural Management at the University of Connecticut. In addition, Ali has a performing and producing background. She recently served as Producer and Assistant Director of Shakers Restirred performed at Robert Mello Studios and has been seen in commercials for Mercedes, Texas Pete, and Earth Fare. She has been involved in many committees at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival including the Community Engagement, Young Professionals, and Film Evaluation committees. Ali is a proud wife and momma to her silly and active toddler boy.

Biography

Actor’s Express: 2016-2017 Intern Company. Stage Manager: Blackpool and Parrish (Out of Box Theatre). Director: Shadow Cast of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Next Fall (Georgia College). Irene Ryan and SDI nominations from KCACTF Region 4. BA in Theatre from Georgia College and State University. So thankful and excited for the opportunity to work with the artists and fellow interns at AE!

Biography

Actor’s Express: Sheila has been involved with Actor’s Express off and on since 1992 serving as Casting Assistant, Assistant Director, Props, Stage Manager, House Manager, Dramaturg and Fund Raising Coordinator. Other: She has served in many capacities at many theatres in Atlanta as well as Directing. She joined Chris Coleman at Portland Center Stage where she was Manager of Corporate Giving. Education: Sheila majored in theatre at the University of Texas. Email Sheila at [email protected].

Biography

Alex Scollon received his BFA from the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama with a concentration in Production and Technical Management, and in 2005 received his Master of Arts Management degree from the Heinz School of Public Policy also at Carnegie Mellon. During the early phase of his career Alex has specialized in leading small theatres and multidisciplinary arts organizations to grow into important cultural centers in their communities while maximizing earned revenue, developing strong boards of directors, and creating partnerships with local government and community organizations. Passionate about community development and engaging the next generation of leaders, Alex has been involved in numerous boards and committees including, downtown associations, chambers of commerce and NEA sponsored emerging arts leadership networks. He is thrilled to join the team at Actor’s Express and looks forward to building on the theatre’s already amazing reputation. When not at the theatre you will likely find him trying a newly opened restaurant, at a terrible movie, or reading about space exploration.