By Steve Yockey
directed by melissa foulger
April 9 – May 3, 2026
A NATIONAL NEW PLAY NETWORK ROLLING WORLD PREMIERE!
approximate run time of 90 minutes with no intermission
Venus was originally developed as part of the “Made in Atlanta” LAUNCHPAD Festival at Theatrical Outfit in Atlanta, GA
National New Play Network is an alliance of professional theaters that collaborate in innovative ways to develop, produce, and extend the life of new plays. NNPN envisions a robust, equitable, and inclusive new play ecology that reflects a broad range of aesthetics, and strives to pioneer, implement, and disseminate ideas and programs that revolutionize the way theaters and audiences encounter new work.
Since its founding in 1998, National New Play Network has grown into a vital force for new work in the American theater, serving over 110+ Member Theaters as well as artists and audiences around the world.
NNPN’s National Showcase of New Plays, initially presented in 2002, was the Network’s first program aimed at creating a new play pipeline that spanned the US. In 2004, NNPN launched the pilot of what has become its paradigm-shifting Rolling World Premiere program. As NNPN’s membership, funding, and programmatic offerings have grown, emergent innovations include season-long Residencies within Member Theaters for rising administrative leaders, a dedicated fund for theater-makers working to develop new plays across institutions, and more. The New Play Exchange®, launched in 2015, is the world’s largest online library of scripts by living writers, and features unprecedented opportunities for direct connection among playwrights, readers, and producers.
NNPN’s current Strategic Plan centers its commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. The Network’s dedication to new plays remains the center of its work, but the future NNPN envisions is one that is robust, inclusive, and equitable for all theater-makers and audience members.
nnpn.org | newplayexchange.org
SPONSORED BY DAVE STEVENS, DONNA OVERHOLT WILLIS, AND KIRK RICH
AUDIENCE ADVISORY: THIS PRODUCTION FEATURES FLASHING AND STROBING LIGHTING EFFECTS. This production features mature content some audience members may find challenging. Please click HERE for more specific information.
AUDIENCE ADVISORY: THIS PRODUCTION FEATURES STROBING LIGHTING EFFECTS AND HAZE. This production also includes adult language, adult themes, and discussions of violence.
Video by Saturnblu Productions
Photos by Casey Garnder Ford
WHO SAYS ROMANCE IS DEAD? WELL…
SYNOPSIS
Breakups are never fun. It’s easy to romanticize all of the good times: star-gazing, waxing poetic about literature, that instant spark the first time your hands brushed. It’s even easier to forget about all of the bad times, like when they ghosted you after the perfect first date, or that one time you woke up in a shallow grave. From the brilliant mind behind Mercury and Pluto, Atlanta’s own Steve Yockey brings us another celestial, pitch-black comedy where two women learn that true love isn’t the only thing that bonds two people together…forever.
THE WHY
“Steve Yockey’s work often walks a delicate balance of fiendish comedy and real heart. Venus captures so bitingly the complexities of love and connection in the modern world.” – Freddie
CAST
SUEHYLA EL-ATTAR YOUNG*
BETH
KATE DONADIO MACQUEEN*
NICOLE
CREATIVE TEAM
DIRECTOR
MELISSA FOULGER
STAGE MANAGER
AMANDA JOY PEREZ*
SCENIC DESIGNER
KAT CONLEY**
COSTUME DESIGNER
ISABEL & MORIAH CURLEY-CLAY**
LIGHTING DESIGNER
HERNANDO CLAROS
SOUND DESIGNER
DAN BAUMAN
PROPERTIES DESIGNER & SET DECORATOR
NICK BATTAGLIA
PRODUCTION MANAGER
KEVIN DYSON
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
RAMEY WARD
CHARGE SCENIC ARTIST
ASH BINGHAM
PRODUCTION CARPENTER
MACE GALLAGHER
LEAD ELECTRICIAN
MITCHELL PETERSON
LEAD SOUND ENGINEER
TIM TRUMPET
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
NYLA MCKOY
** Represented by United Scenic Artists USA Local 829 of IATSE – The Union representing scenic, costume, lighting, sound and projection designers in live performance.
* Appearing through an agreement between this theatre, Actor’s Express, and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
ATLANTA'S DESTINATION FOR AUDACIOUS THEATRE
“Experience at least one Yockey show in your lifetime.” – Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“A fiercely imaginative and finely tuned new voice.” – San Francisco Chronicle
