The Wishing Place

World Premiere opens Friday, August 18, 2023

A poetic drama about two families in 1960s rural Georgia, one black and one white, trying to find their path and keep their dreams alive. 

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Performance Schedule

Thursday August 17 (8pm) Preview performance
Friday August 18 (8pm) Opening Night
Sunday August 20 (7pm)
Monday August 21 (8pm) Industry Night
Saturday August 26 (8pm)
Sunday August 27 (2pm)
Saturday September 2 (8pm)
Sunday September 3 (2pm)

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In The Press

World Premiere Of THE WISHING PLACE Opens August 18 At 7Stages

Essential Theatre’s 24th Festival Continues with Beverly Austin’s The Wishing Place

“a lyrical serenade into the lives of two neighboring families in mid-60’s Georgia.”

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The Manuscript

World Premiere opens Friday, August 11, 2023

A compelling psychological drama about what we owe to those we’ve lost. Winner of the 2023 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award.

Advisory: Reference to suicide and self-harm

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Performance Schedule

Thursday August 10 (8pm) Preview performance
Friday August 11 (8pm) Opening Night
Saturday August 12 (8pm)
Saturday August 19 (8pm)
Sunday August 20 (2pm)
Friday August 25 (8pm)
Sunday August 27 (7pm)
Monday August 28 (8pm) Industry Night
Friday September 1 (8pm)

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In The Press

Essential Festival Opens August 11 With World Premiere Of THE MANUSCRIPT

Essential Theatre festival brings Georgia-based plays to the stage through Sept.

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The Outrage Machine

Opening Friday July 29 – A satiric drama that explores internet journalism, social media, and the culture of outrage – Co-Winner of the 2020 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award.

A Complicated Hope

Opening Friday August 5 – A play about hope, shining a light on the darkest corners of grief – Winner of the 2022 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award – Winner of the 2022 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award.

Hush Harbor Lab: The Wash by Kelundra Smith

One night only: August 18 – Hush Harbor Lab presents The Wash, by K. D. Smith
Based on true events, The Wash is the intimate and often funny tale of women who went from workers to fighters, and won. 

Bare Essentials Play Reading Series

Join us on August 9, 10, and 22 for developmental readings of three new plays. Thanks to support from Georgia Humanities, 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!

Calming the Man

In the summer of the American Bicentennial, two sons try to escape the rage and pain that their father is trapped in, fueled by the racism he’s experienced throughout his life.

Raising the Dead

On a hot night in New Orleans, two very different women — lost in loneliness and the living death of feeling invisible – try to connect and find a way to bring themselves back to life.

The Local

A collaborative theatre project about the City of Atlanta, by the writers of Atlanta, developed and directed by Ellen McQueen, award-winning director of Ice Glen and Sally and Glen at the Palace.

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