Gabriel Jason Dean, winner of the 2010 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award for QUALITIES OF STARLIGHT, has another production coming up – D’ANGELICO, opening in January as part of FronteraFest in Austin, Texas.

Back in 2000, we produced the World Premiere of Atlanta writer Karla Jennings’ IMAGES IN SMOKE (named one of the Best Shows of the Year by Creative Loafing), and since then she’s gone on to score multiple awards, productions and commissions. Now she’s won the Northern Kentucky University Y.E.S. competition for her play MONSTROUS BEAUTY, which will be produced there in April, and then October will see the World Premiere of her Tea Party spoof WHACKING THE TURKEY at Denver’s And Toto Too Productions.

Lauren Gunderson won our first official Playwriting Award in 2001, for her play PARTS THEY CALL DEEP, and she too has gone on to a great career, with productions and commissions all around the country. This spring will see a Triple Rolling World Premiere of her play EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR, starting off with a March production by Atlanta’s Synchronicity Performance Group.

So, remember – keep an eye out for this summer’s World Premiere of Theroun D’Arcy Patterson’s A THOUSAND CIRCLETS, the winner of the 2011 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award. Directed by Betty Hart, it’ll be part of the 2011 Essential Theatre Play Festival, along with two Regional Premieres (soon to be announced).

Since 1999, the Essential Theatre – bringing Atlanta what’s new! And, you can support Essential Theatre’s effort to bring you some great new plays by making a donation today. Your donation is Essential!