Book and Lyrics by Tom MacRae
Music by Dan Gillespie Sells
DIRECTED BY FREDDIE ASHLEY
February 15 – March 3, 2024
A joyous explosion of glitter, laughter, and love!
Everybody’s talking about this smash hit direct from London’s West End! Working class teenager Jamie New dreams of becoming a glamorous drag queen. With his supportive mum by his side, he sashays over the bullies and bigots in his quest to grab the spotlight he knows he’s destined for. Based on a heartwarming true story.
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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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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].
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.
