The world premiere production of the 2025 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award winning play, A Very Special Hospital by Matt Hoffman, opens August 8.
A dark comedy about healthcare with a piercing family story, this is Hoffman’s second full-length play, the first being The Manuscript which premiered at the 2023 Essential Theatre Play Festival to popular and critical acclaim.
Advisory: Discussion of family and childhood trauma.
🌟 2025 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award sponsored by Theo Harness 🌟
Performance Schedule
Thursday August 7 (8pm Preview)
Friday August 8 (8pm Opening)
Saturday August 9 (8pm)
Sunday August 10 (2pm)
Monday August 11 (8pm Industry Night)
Friday August 15 (8pm
Saturday August 16 (8pm)
Sunday August 17 (2pm)
Friday August 22 (8pm)
Saturday August 23 (8pm)
Sunday August 24 (2pm)
Friday August 29 (8pm)
Saturday August 30 (8pm)
Sunday August 31 (2pm)
In The Press
What Audiences Are Saying
“Go see A Very Special Hospital – a terrific, new, absurdist dramedy by Matt Hoffman!!” -Kyle Brumley
“Don’t miss the world premiere of Matt Hoffman’s new play “A Very Special Hospital”. What extremes will we go to, especially when the holding on stems from trauma? The haunting set feels like its own character. Come support this and many more plays by Georgia Playwrights at the 2025 Essential Theatre Play Festival.” -Amy Blaise Watts
“Friday’s opening night of A VERY SPECIAL HOSPITAL to kick off The Essential Theatre Festival was spectacular! Congratulations to Matt Hoffman, the Essential Theatre, and the cast and team.” -Patti Siegel
“provocative and nicely staged.” -Pamela Turner
Cast:
Sarah: Hannah Brumley
Robbie: Louis Kyper
Dr. Hobson: Jeff Hathcoat
Jana: Karine Dieuvil
Orderly/Understudy (Sarah/Jana): Lauren Garcia
Orderly/Understudy (Robbie/Dr. Hobson): Kristian Rodriguez
Orderly/Assistant Stage Manager: Sydni Michelle Perry
Artistic Team:
Playwright: Matt Hoffman
Director: Peter Hardy
Stage Manager: Lindsey McCall
Scenic Designer: Adam Pagdon
Lighting Designer: Harley Gould
Sound Designer: Joshuia Campbell
Costume Designer: Savannah Cobb
Props Designer: Victoria Nation
Meet the Playwright: Matt Hoffman
Matt Hoffman is a writer and critical care physician. His first play, The Manuscript, was the winner of the 2023 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award and was produced in the 2023 Essential Theatre Play Festival in Atlanta, GA. His short play Casey’s Singularity received a staged reading at the 2024 New Works and Ideas Festival at Kennesaw State University. Matt has also worked as a freelance journalist, writer and editor for WebMD, intern at CNN, professional blogger, and frontman for a cover band. He writes and records music under the pseudonym Will Shook. Born and raised in the Midwest, Matt lives in Atlanta, GA with his wife and two young children. Read the full interview…
