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Do it Again!
Aris Theatre brings Irish and UK theater to Atlanta
By Lisa Nanette Allender
Live theater in Atlanta continues
to earn national accolades for its level
of production and acting talent. The
scene also offers a diversity of genres and
interests, including the Celtic theater
company Aris.
Pronounced “Areesh,” the name
translates to again, and is used in the same
way as shouting “Encore!” after a good
performance. Based at the Georgia Public
Broadcasting building in Midtown, the
company also performs in other venues,
including this past year for the Irish
Consulate Bureau of Cultural Affairs.
About to begin its third season, Aris is
filing the void left by the heretofore oldest
and largest Celtic theater group in North
America — the now defunct Theatre Gael.
Actor Kathleen McManus said that
what Theatre Gael achieved is more than
noteworthy, and in fact had “changed
the landscape of local theater.” McManus
and fellow actors Winslow Thomas and
Kyle Crew had all worked with Theatre
Gael, and wanted to continue to bring the
theater of Ireland, Scotland and Wales to
audiences in Atlanta.
The 2016 season has focused on Irish
plays to mark the centenary of the Easter
Rising to end British rule in Ireland. Plays
included “Philadelphia, Elere We Come,”
“The Plough and the Stars,” and “Stones
in Elis Pocket,” which were all well-
attended and very well-received. Next year,
Aris plans to concentrate on the plays of
Wales, including “The Weir” by Connor
McPherson.
Aris’ beginnings were relatively simple:
Writer-actor Bryan Davis asked Crew to
direct him in the play “Faith Elealer” for
the Irish Consul General. When the show
was over, Crew asked, “Flow can we do
more of this?”
After connecting and re-connecting
with one another, the trio of McManus,
Thomas and Crew met up with several
other members of the Atlanta theater
community, and formed a board of
directors. McManus is on that board, and
Crew is chairman. The dedication to Aris
has meant juggling personal lives and jobs.
McManus teaches theater every day, and
creates theater — both acting and directing
— every night. Crew works multiple jobs
while also acting and directing.
A dream goal for the company is to
produce what is known in the UK as
a “Christmas panto,” usually a wacky
Inaugural Broadleaf Writers
Conference is Sept. 24-25
By Collin Kelley
If your dream is to become a published
author, you first have to know your craft.
That’s the goal of the inaugural Broadleaf
Writers Conference, which will be held at
the main branch of the DeKalb County
Public Library in downtown Decatur
on Sept. 24-25. The brainchild of writer
Zachary Steel, the conference will be
the main event of the Broadleaf Writers
Association, which will begin offering year-
round programming in 2017. We asked
Steele to talk about the creation of Broadleaf and its mission.
Why did you decide to create Broadleaf?
As a young writer who thought I had it all figured out, I had the benefit of joining a writing
organization out of state that specialized in teaching the craft. Through their conferences
and seminars, socializing and discussing writing with other members, and friendships that
blossomed thereafter, I found a sense of home and purpose I had never before experienced. I
grew as a writer and as a person. I honestly considered moving just to maintain my place in
that community. It was that potent. But Atlanta is my home. This is where I want to be. So, I
began the process of creating an organization here. Georgia is rich in solid writing organizations
dedicated to assisting writers in their efforts to become published authors, but there weren’t
any dedicated solely to craft, or to my vision of what a community of writers can accomplish
together. So, I founded Broadleaf Writers with the assistance of a fabulous Board of Directors,
and off we went.
What can attendees expect from the inaugural conference?
Writers can expect a line-up of deeply talented writers speaking on various aspects of the
craft. Whether it’s Paul Jenkins’ keynote on writing with confidence, or Joshilyn Jackson, Patti
Callahan Plenty and Brian Panowich detailing their methods of creating the proper Southern
voice, or Clifford Brooks III, David L. Robbins and Kate Sweeney discussing how to choose the
right word, writers in attendance will gain invaluable knowledge on areas of writing that mean
the most to them. Additionally, we have three guest literary agents who will be conducting
five-minute sessions with attendees, as well as sitting on a panel focused on the importance of
nailing the first page of a manuscript. And beyond the knowledge, beyond what writers will
gain from those who have succeeded in the craft, there will be 150 passionate writers talking
Continued on Page 28
take on a traditional fairy tale or
holiday story with plenty of audience
participation. Another goal is more
spaces for performances that can be
shared by multiple theater and arts
companies.
“I wish we had a variety of
‘alternative venues’ for all kinds of
performing arts at reasonable rates,”
McManus said. “I think the future of
the arts is not everybody needing to
maintain their own building — their
own space — but sharing their space.”
Before Aris begins its new season
in January, the company can be seen
at IrishFest on Nov. 4-5 with a special
take on the old mythology of Ireland
and in December at the annual Celtic
Christmas Concert.
For more information about Aris,
visit aristheatre.org. IE]
'The New Electric Ballroom 1 at Aris Theatre.
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GREEK FESTIVAL
SefilemA&t/23 -25, 2016
Bring your friends and family to enjoy a weekend full of
exciting Greek dancing, delicious food and pastries,
Cathedral tours, children’s activities, cooking
demonstrations along with fantastic shopping
and so much more!
Admission Hours:
Friday, Sept. 23 d 5 pm - 11 pm
Saturday, Sept. 24 th 11 am - 11pm
Sunday, Sept. 25* 11 am - 7 pm
Drive-Thru Available:
Thursday, Sept 22 nd 11 am - 8 pm
Friday, Sept. 23 rd 11 am - 8 pm
Saturday, Sept. 24* 11 am - 8 pm
Sunday, Sept. 25* 11 am - 6 pm
HOW DO YOU
OPA?
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation
2500 Clairmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
www.atlantagreekfestival.org
pi AtlantaGreekFestival
@ATLGreekFest
jj @ATLGreekFest
N J^S > Children’s ^ portion of the proceeds will be donated to the
jl ji H.anhcareo, Atlanta Children’s Plealthcare of Atlanta
AtlantalNtownPaper.com
September 2016 I iNtown 27