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Essential Theatre’s mission is to nurture and produce new works by Georgia playwrights and to enrich our audience’s experience by actively engaging them in the process. Our vision is a thriving, dynamic American theatre community in which Georgia playwrights are a recognized and celebrated part.
We began producing an annual Play Festival, including a full production of at least one new play by a Georgia writer every year, in 1999. In 2012, we began producing all new works by Georgia writers and have continued doing that ever since. Since our first Festival in 1999, we’ve premiered or presented 54 new works by 46 different Georgia playwrights, all receiving productions of the highest artistic quality through Essential and many going on to receive future productions elsewhere in Atlanta and across the country.

Read and evaluate scripts for playwriting award

Volunteer usher for 2026 Festival

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Art Farm at Serenbe Raffle Terms and Conditions

Meet the Playwrights: Out of Hand’s Jeilianne Vázquez, Marcie Rendon, Melissa Simmons, and Dana L. Stringer

Meet the Playwright: C. G. Brown

Meet the Playwright: Gabrielle Sinclaire

Meet the Playwright: Lee Nowell

Meet the Playwright: Susan Swavely

Get Your Playwright On This Summer

2026 General Auditions

Announcing the 2026 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award Winner, Susan Swavely!

Playwright Lineup for the 2026 Southern Fried Bake-Off

Peter Hardy

Jennifer Kimball

Emily McClain

Elisabeth Cooper

Amina S. McIntyre

Carter Bevis

Elaine Wadsworth

Karine Dieuvil

Susan Swavely

We’re excited to see BAT-HAMLET by Jordan Pulliam return to the stage! The latest production opens November 12 at Woodstock High School in Woodstock, Georgia. Essential Theatre was proud to present the world premiere of this inventive play in 2010. It’s exciting to see the work continue to find new audiences and new life on stage. Break a leg to the cast and creative team at Woodstock High! @woodstockhs1 #EssentialTheatre #BATHAMLET #JordanPulliam #GeorgiaTheatre

📣 CALL FOR VOLUNTEER SCRIPT READERS! Do you love theatre and want to help shape the future of Georgia playwriting? Essential Theatre is seeking passionate volunteers to read and evaluate scripts for the 2027 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award. 📖 You’ll receive 1 or more plays (based on your availability), along with a simple evaluation format to complete within six weeks. ✉️ Interested? Email peter@essentialtheatre.com to sign up or learn more! Help us champion new voices in Georgia theatre!

📣 CALL FOR VOLUNTEER SCRIPT READERS! Do you love theatre and want to help shape the future of Georgia playwriting? Essential Theatre is seeking passionate volunteers to read and evaluate scripts for the 2027 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award. 📖 You’ll receive 1 or more plays (based on your availability), along with a simple evaluation format to complete within six weeks. ✉️ Interested? Email peter@essentialtheatre.com to sign up or learn more! Help us champion new voices in Georgia theatre! #EssentialTheatre #GeorgiaPlaywrights #GeorgiaTheatre #VolunteerOpportunity #SupportTheArts

Hurray! 🎉 Today we celebrate the wonderful Carter Bevis, our ever-pleasant Box Office Manager! 🎭 For more than 25 years, Carter has been welcoming audiences across Atlanta, selling tickets, ushering, and making theater experiences better. We are so lucky she makes Essential her annual home and even luckier to have her on our team. Happy Birthday, Carter! We’re so grateful for you! ❤️

Our Founding Artistic Director, Peter Hardy, @lovelyundertow says thank you! 🙏

And it’s a wrap! ‘Helen of the West’ by @susanswavely closes the 2026 Essential Theatre Play Festival 🎭 Congratulations 🎉 to the cast and crew: Playwright @susanswavely Cast #curtaincall @kughreen @brumblebean @katstoneback @hannahrainebrumley @wadsworth1453 @fredgalyean @georgekotlerwallace Well done and kudos for an amazing performance ✨ Thanks to everyone for coming!

A vote of thanks from this year’s Essential Theatre Play Festival winning #playwright @susanswavely for her play ‘Helen of the West’ 🎭

🎊 Hi y’all, it’s closing day! Today is the final matinee of Helen of the West by Susan Swavely at the 2026 Essential Theatre Festival. Join us at 2 PM for the closing performance! We have a great house, with just a few seats left. If you’ve been hearing that this is a must-see, today is your last chance to experience it live. And don’t forget the raffle! 🎟️ Raffle ticket sales end at 4 PM, with the drawing at 5 PM. Come celebrate closing day with us. We’d love to see you there! 🎊

Karine Dieuvil (Helen) in 'Helen of the West' by Susan Swavely. Happy closing to the cast and crew of 'Helen of the West' as we round up this year's Essential Theatre Play Festival.🎉 You can still catch the closing matinee at 2pm today! Photo by Brody Young for @breathe__images Tickets at https://essentialtheatre.com

Kyle Brumley (Alexander Paris) in 'Helen of the West' by Susan Swavely It's closing weekend and last minute tickets are available at https://essentialtheatre.com You don't want to miss it! closing matinee at 2pm tomorrow! Photo by Brody Young for @breathe__images Tickets at https://essentialtheatre.com

George Kotler-Wallace (Musician/Mr. Anderson) in 'Helen of the West' by Susan Swavely. It's closing weekend and last minute tickets are available at https://essentialtheatre.com You don't want to miss it! 8pm tonight and closing matinee at 2pm tomorrow! Photo by Brody Young for @breathe__images

Don't miss this win-win chance to increase your impact! Less than 48 hours left to win a stay at The Art Farm at Serenbe, while supporting Georgia playwrights. 🎟 Why enter? 🌟 Because every raffle ticket you buy supports bold new stories and the playwrights who bring them to life. 🌟 Because who says generosity can't come with a little reward? 🌾 What you could win: A 3-night stay at The Art Farm at Serenbe, a creative retreat in the Chattahoochee Hills — perfect for a writing getaway, a family trip, or a relaxing few days with friends. 📅 Important details: Raffle ticket sales end this Sunday, 8/23, at 4:00pm The drawing takes place at 5:00pm the same day Your stay must be used within one year of the drawing (by 8/23/2027), subject to availability at time of reservation $25 per ticket, or 5 tickets for $100 Proceeds support the production of the 2026 Essential Theatre Play Festival. Get Raffle Tickets! https://www.zeffy.com/.../art-farm-at-serenbe-retreat-raffle

Kat Stoneback (Effy Gene) in 'Helen of the West' by Susan Swavely Closing weekend is here. Show tonight at 8pm. Friday Aug 21, 8pm Saturday Aug 22, 8pm Sunday Aug 23, 2pm Tickets at https://essentialtheatre.com Photo by Brody Young for Breathe Images

Fred Galyean (Matthew Laus) in 'Helen of the West' by Susan Swavely Final Weekend to catch it .. Get your tickets at https://essentialtheatre.com Photo by Brody Young for @breathe__images

Tomorrow night at 7:30 Believe it or not, it’s not too late to see Lee Nowell’s closing performance of The Woman You Want to Be tomorrow night at 7:30! Don’t miss this show, which has been described as “a hilarious study in poised derangement” and “funny to the core yet coyly disturbing.” Get Tickets at essentialtheatre.com Only 3 more performances of Helen of the West by Susan Swavely! Only three more chances to catch this must-see production: Friday Aug 21, 8pm Saturday Aug 22, 8pm Sunday Aug 23, 2pm Get Tickets! Essentialtheatre.com

A special Essential Theatre moment 🥹✨ Susan Swavely, @susanswavely the newest 2026 winner of the Essential Theatre Playwriting Award, and Lauren Gunderson, @lalatellsastory the very first winner 🏆 in 2001 after a performance of Susan’s play HELEN OF THE WEST! Only three more chances to see HELEN OF THE WEST before it closes this weekend at @7stagesatl . Winner of the 2026 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award, the play is a rich re-imagining of the fabled story of Helen of Troy, now seen as a mail-order bride in the American West. 🎟️ Get your tickets: https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/essentialtheatre/709

The last of the Bare Essentials Play Reading Series curated by founding artistic director, Peter Hardy is tonight! Aug 18, 7:30 p.m. – STANDIN’ IN THE SUN by Je’Cori Vincere In 1947 Atlanta, a shy young man grapples with his sexuality and he longing to follow his rebellious older brother into the local jazz scene. All readings in the Bare Essentials series are free and open to the public. Be sure to stay after for exciting conversation with the director, cast and playwright! Reserve your spot here https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/essentialtheatre/709/event/1477567

Tonight at the 2026 Bare Essentials Play Reading series curated by Peter Hardy Aug 17, 7:30 p.m. – BEG by Lilly Nelson. Directed by Suzanne Roush What seems to be a look at the sexy but toxic relationship between the writer of romance novels and her muse turns into the struggle over a woman’s sanity. Featuring the reading talents of Susan Swavely, Michael Ward, Miles Snow, and Amy Chillag All readings in the Bare Essentials series are free and open to the public. Be sure to stay after for exciting conversation with the director, cast and playwright!

August 22nd at 2:00pm We invite you to explore American identity through “We Hold These Truths,” from @OutofHandATL One Performance Only - What does America mean to you? Four playrights have created four original short plays shaped by community listening sessions through Out of Hand that ground the work in local stories and perspectives. Come see what they've created, and engage in thoughtful conversation. About the Plays: Out of Hand commissioned four plays by professional playwrights to represent the following American experiences: American Dream, written by Jeilianne Vazquez, examines immigration through the perspective of a Latino teen. Directed by Angel Fabiȧn Rivera Ancestral Reckoning, written by Marcie Rendon, examines progress through a Native American perspective. Directed by Adrienne Zimiga-January Faded Dream, written by Melissa Simmons, examines the impact of unemployment and the disillusionment of the American economic dream. Directed by Ryan Oliveti Tell Them About the Dream, written by Dana Stringer, examines the power of dreams, imagination and community from the perspective of a Black, Southern pastor. Directed by Nikki Young Get tickets https://www.tix.com/.../essentialtheatre/709/event/1476349 💙Art that opens hearts. 🧠Information that opens minds. 💬Conversation that inspires action to create a world where everyone thrives.

Hannah Brumley as Claudia in 'Helen of the West' by Susan Swavely Show continues today at 2pm matinee .. Get your tickets at https://essentialtheatre.com Photo by Brody Young for @breathe__images

Elaine Wadsworth @wadsworth1453 as (Aphrodite/Choreographer) in 'Helen of the West' by Susan Swavely captured by Brody Young for Breathe Images @breathe__images Only 4 shows left! Tickets at essentialtheatre.com

First performance tomorrow at 7pm! The Woman You Want To Be by Lee Nowell Two Performances Only!⭐️ Sunday August 16 at 7pm Thursday August 20 at 7:30pm A 1938 book promised women the perfect life if they followed its rules. A writer read it and laughed so hard she almost fell out of her chair. Inspired by the bestseller of the same name, The Woman You Want To Be is a hilarious, outrageous look at the book’s rules and the writer’s real life. This play was inspired by Florence Courtenay’s 1922 book Physical Beauty: How to Develop and Preserve It and Margery Wilson’s 1938 book The Woman You Want to Be. Run time: 70 minutes, no intermission Advisory: Contains swearing and sexually explicit language. Best suited for ages 15 and up.

HELEN OF THE WEST by @susanswavely at this year’s Essential Theatre Play Festival has been selected as Suzi Award Recommended! 🎭 We’re honored to receive this recognition from the Suzi Awards and to celebrate this production with the broader Atlanta theatre community. Flash Sale STARTS NOW!⚡️ 🎫 Now through 6pm Friday, get $15 tickets to any show in the festival with promo code “FLASH” Get your tickets now at essentialtheatre.com

The chairs are ready. The church is waiting for YOU!👊 TOMORROW 🎭 ONE NIGHT ONLY! BABYLON IS AN ACTION VERB Thursday, August 13 at 7:30 PM Three men. A small group. A church they didn’t build and a God they’ve never heard from directly. The chairs get set up every Sunday and torn down every Sunday. The worship is loud, the theology is tight, and the coffee is very... hot. Then something happens. The structure collapses, and what’s left is three very different kinds of faith and a silence that might be holy or might just be empty. Babylon Is An Action Verb is a dark comedy about evangelical church culture, male friendship, and the distance between believing in God and hearing back. Coming soon to an Essential Theatre Festival near you. 📅 Thursday, August 13 ⏰ 7:30 PM 🎭 One night only ⏱️ 50 minutes, no intermission 🔞 Age suitability: 16+ Tickets https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/essentialtheatre/709/event/1476348

TONIGHT! Aug 11, 7:30 p.m. – THE RESOLUTE by Gabrielle Sinclair. Directed by Anna Holland A play about the founding of a women’s baseball team at Vassar College in the mid-19th Century. Featuring the reading talents of Mary Ruth Ralston, Claire F. Martin, Tyra Marie Watkins, Brittney McClendon, Anna Marie Snider, Aliya Kraar, Olivia Schaperjohn, Golbanoo Setayesh, and Maddie Connell. All readings in the Bare Essentials series are free and open to the public. Be sure to stay after for exciting conversation with the director, cast and playwright!

⭐️One Night Only!⭐️ Babylon Is An Action Verb Thursday August 13 at 7:30pm Three men. A small group. A church they didn’t build and a God they’ve never heard from directly.. The chairs get set up every Sunday and torn down every Sunday. The worship is loud, the theology is tight, and the coffee is very. . . hot. Then something happens, the structure collapses, and what’s left is three very different kinds of faith and a silence that might be holy or might just be empty. Babylon Is An Action Verb is a dark comedy about evangelical church culture, male friendship, and the distance between believing in God and hearing back. Artistic Team: Playwright/Producer: C. G. Brown Directors: Nhadyne Banton Brown, Woodrow Lee Cast: John Machesky as Shadrach, Michael Jackson III as Meshach, Chase Owen-Cooper as Abednego Run Time: 50 minutes, no intermission Age Suitability: 16yrs + Get Tickets > https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/essentialtheatre/709/event/1476348

Helen of the West by Susan Swavely - 2026 Essential Theatre Festival continues today! It's INDUSTRY NIGHT! Spread the word! Helen of the West by Susan Swavely Directed by Peter Hardy Winner of the 2026 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award, Helen of the West is a rich re-imagining of the fabled story of Helen of Troy, now seen as a mail order bride in the American West. CAST: Karine Dieuvil, Elaine Wadsworth, Fred Galyean, Kyle Brumley, Hannah Brumley, Kat Stoneback, and George Kotler-Wallace. Get your tickets here --https://www.tix.com/.../essentialtheatre/709/event/1476335

🏆 💰 🎭 Our Founding Artistic Director, Peter Hardy, presents this year’s Prize to Playwright Susan Swavely @susanswavely for her winning play, Helen of the West, which opened tonight. Congratulations, Susan, on this well-deserved recognition! Helen of the West is now showing at @7stagesatl . Visit essentialtheatre.com for the full schedule and tickets.

We’re so excited for tonight, opening night of ‘Helen of the West’ by @susanswavely ! 🎭 Get your tickets now, it’s not too late to join us for an unforgettable night. 📸 Photo of @kughreen Karine Dieuvil as Helen, by Brody Young for Breathe Images 🎟️ Get your tickets at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/essentialtheatre/709

Happy Opening Day! 🎭✨ The wait is over! Celebrate the opening of HELEN OF THE WEST by @susanswavely with exclusive drink specials at @javalords 🍷 Join us before or after the show for a special night of theatre, great drinks, and unforgettable moments. Cheers to opening day and the magic of the stage! 🍹🌟

🎉 🤠 Tomorrow is Opening Night of Helen of the West at @7stagesatl ! Be among the first to experience the world premiere of Susan Swavely’s award-winning new play, a bold reimagining of the story of Helen of Troy as a mail-order bride in the American West. Directed by Peter Hardy, this fresh and powerful production is one you won’t want to miss. Join us for an unforgettable night of a new play brought to life on stage. Get your seats today https://www.essentialtheatre.com Break a leg to the incredible cast, crew, creative team, and everyone who helped bring this production to life. Wishing you an amazing opening night! 🎭✨🤩

Watch this year’s Essential Theatre award-winning playwright Susan Swavely’s interview on ATL Live as she shares the story behind her new play, Helen of the West. 🎭✨ >>> https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/video/2026/07/24/pen-playhouse-susan-swavely-talks-about-her-new-play-helen-west/? Then come and experience this powerful new work on stage. Performance Dates & Times: * Thursday, August 6 - 8:00 PM (Preview) * Friday, August 7 - 8:00 PM (Opening Night) * Saturday, August 8 - 8:00 PM * Sunday, August 9 - 2:00 PM * Monday, August 10 - 8:00 PM (Industry Night) * Friday, August 14 - 8:00 PM * Saturday, August 15 - 8:00 PM * Sunday, August 16 - 2:00 PM * Friday, August 21 - 8:00 PM * Saturday, August 22 - 8:00 PM * Sunday, August 23 - 2:00 PM Get your tickets now at essentialtheatre.com #Theatre #Playwriting #AtlantaArts #EssentialTheatre #HelenOfTheWest

2026 Essential Theatre Play Festival is around the corner, Aug 7-23. Save the Date/Get tickets One Performance Only!⭐️ Saturday August 22 at 2pm Four short plays by four different playwrights responding to the question, What does America mean to you? We Hold These Truths invites you to share your story and your hopes and dreams for the future of our country. Four playwrights have created original short plays shaped by community listening sessions that ground the work in local stories and perspectives. Each play becomes the spark for a guided conversation on the American experience. Bridge divides and connect with your neighbors as America marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Get Tickets! at essentialtheatre.com

Curated by founding Artistic Director, Peter Hardy —- Join us on August 11, 17 and 18 at 7:30pm for developmental readings of three new plays. All readings in the Bare Essentials series are free and open to the public. Be sure to stay after for exciting conversation with the director, cast and playwright! The 2026 Bare Essentials Play Reading series will feature three new plays by Georgia playwrights: Reserve Your Spot at essentialtheatre.com

As part of the festival this year : Join us on Saturday August 8 at 2pm for the dramatic conclusion of this year’s 10-Minute Play Bootcamp, a public showcase of brand new 10-Minute Plays sure to delight and entertain! Featuring brand new 10-Minute Plays by our Bootcamp playwrights read by local Atlanta actors. Tickets and schedule at essentialtheatre.com

We are on the @7stagesatl marquee! 🎭✨ Get ready for the 2026 Essential Theatre Play Festival this August, come experience bold new works by Georgia playwrights, including world premieres, plays and readings. We’d love to see you there! Get the full festival schedule and tickets at essentialtheatre.com. The 2026 Essential Theatre Play Festival runs August 7–23 at 7 Stages in Atlanta and features the world premiere of Helen of the West alongside new plays, readings, and special events. See you at the festival! 🎉

Helen of the West by Susan Swavely Directed by Peter Hardy Winner of the 2026 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award, Helen of the West is a rich re-imagining of the fabled story of Helen of Troy, now seen as a mail order bride in the American West. CAST: Karine Dieuvil, Elaine Wadsworth, Fred Galyean, Kyle Brumley, Hannah Brumley, Kat Stoneback, and George Kotler-Wallace. Groups over 10 receive 10% off all tickets (preview performances and industry nights excluded). Tickets and more info at essentialtheatre.com

Meet the cast of Helen of the West by Susan Swavely. Directed by Peter Hardy. 🎭 Winner of the 2026 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award, Helen of the West is a rich re-imagining of the fabled story of Helen of Troy, now seen as a mail order bride in the American West. Elaine Wadsworth (Aphrodite/Choreographer) first worked with Peter Hardy in a small role in Essential Theatre’s Cinders in 1992 in this same space. In the interim, Elaine performed Titania/Hippolyta, Nerissa, and Nurse at The Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern, danced the role of Carmen with the Georgia Ballet, and danced and choreographed for Lee Harper with The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Most recently, she starred in the film A Key to the Plot, produced and written by Peter Hardy and Essential Cinema. Little did they know that 34 years after meeting, they would be married. She is grateful for Peter’s belief in her and partnership and love. For schedule and tickets, visit essentialtheatre.com

Meet the cast of Helen of the West by Susan Swavely. Directed by Peter Hardy. 🎭 Winner of the 2026 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award, Helen of the West is a rich re-imagining of the fabled story of Helen of Troy, now seen as a mail order bride in the American West. Karine Dieuvil (Helen) is a Haitian-American actress making her Atlanta leading-lady debut in this world premiere. Her Atlanta stage credits include the world premiere of A Very Special Hospital (Essential Theatre), Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet and Le Malade Imaginaire (Théâtre du Rêve), all Suzi-recommended productions. On screen, she starred in the feature film The Lemonade Files, winner of Best in Comedy at the Los Angeles International Film Festival, and has appeared across tvOne Network’s Fatal Attraction, Payback, and For My Man. A classically trained, multilingual Afro-Latina artist, Karine has performed on an Atlanta stage every year since 2023 — this year, she returns to ATL to lead one. Love to her community who support her through every season. Find her @KUGHREEN. The struggle persists. For schedule and tickets, visit essentialtheatre.com

🎭 2026 Essential Theatre Play Festival Showcasing Georgia’s Best Playwrights August 7-23, 2026 at 7Stages in Little Five Points For more than 25 years, Essential Theatre has been bringing new work by Georgia playwrights to the stage, and the 2026 Essential Theatre Festival continues this long tradition. Opening the Festival on August 7 will be Helen of the West by Susan Swavely, winner of the 2026 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award. This year’s Playwriting Award is sponsored by Joseph and Alisa Alonso. The Festival will also include staged readings and special presentations of new plays by Georgia playwrights. View Schedule and Get Tickets! Now at essentialtheatre.com

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