GTA Blog

(MAR 12, 2024—GAINESVILLE, GA) Get ready for an uproarious journey into the quirky world of adolescence as Gainesville Theatre Alliance brings The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee to life. The musical comedy, directed by GTA alumna Kari Twyman, promises to be an unforgettable experience. The show runs April 12-20, 2024, at University of North Georgia-Gainesville’s Ed Cabell Theatre, located inside the UNG Performing Arts building. Recommended for ages 15 and over.

Kari Twyman, a 2018 graduate of Brenau University with a BFA in Musical Theatre, takes the helm as Director/Choreographer. Twyman is a working actor and choreographer in the Atlanta area and is excited to bring her unique perspective to the production. “In a heightened time of consuming media that is heavily influencing the clothes we buy, the phrases we use, or even how big or small our bodies should be, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee leads the audience back to the basis of being an individually unique kid,” Twyman says. “This show is the ultimate connection between actors and audience, experiencing hilariously relatable situations.”

Adding to the creative mix is Musical Director Dale Grogan, well-known to GTA audiences from past productions including Mary Poppins and Once Upon This Island, and Drama Desk Award-winning Lighting Designer Christian DeAngelis, who is an Assistant Professor of Lighting at the University of Georgia.

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Set against the backdrop of a middle school spelling bee, the show introduces a delightful ensemble of characters, each with their own eccentricities and endearing qualities. As the contestants navigate the challenges of spelling seemingly impossible words, the audience is treated to a hilarious exploration of puberty, identity, and the universal desire to fit in.

Tickets for the production range from $18 to $30 and are available for purchase at GainesvilleTheatreAlliance.org or by calling the GTA Box Office at 678-717-3624.

(JAN 22, 2024—GAINESVILLE, GA) Gainesville Theatre Alliance proudly announces its upcoming production of The Crucible by Arthur Miller, directed by Gainesville Theatre Alliance Associate Artistic Director Greg Geffrard. The play will run from February 16-24, 2024, at Brenau University’s Hosch Theatre, located inside the John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts.

Greg Geffrard, an Associate Professor of Theatre at Brenau University, brings a wealth of experience to the director’s chair. Recently nominated for the Kennedy Center Merit Award for Intimacy Direction for his exceptional work on the 2023 production of Silent Sky at the University of Georgia, Geffrard’s directorial vision promises to deliver a thought-provoking and impactful rendition of this classic play.

The Crucible, recipient of the 1953 Tony Award for Best Play, unfolds as a gripping historical drama while also serving as a poignant parable for contemporary society. “In this production, I am choosing to highlight two particular things: what makes an outsider and how mass hysteria is born of not necessarily misinformation but from a lack of complete information,” states Geffrard. “This play is essentially a game of telephone gone horribly awry.”

Steeped in historical significance, The Crucible delves into the Puritan purge of witchcraft in colonial Salem, Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693, while simultaneously serving as an allegory for the McCarthy era in the 1950s. Arthur Miller’s narrative draws striking parallels between the historical events, emphasizing the perils of persecution and the repercussions of societal fear.

Tickets for the production range from $16 to $24 and are available for purchase at GainesvilleTheatreAlliance.org or by calling the GTA Box Office at 678-717-3624.

(JAN 17, 2024—GAINESVILLE, GA) In an exciting development for the arts community, Gainesville Theatre Alliance (GTA) proudly announces a significant sponsorship commitment from the Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation. This marks the beginning of a ten-year partnership that will bolster GTA’s mission of delivering exceptional theatrical performances to enrich the cultural landscape of Gainesville and Hall County.

GTA, a collaborative ensemble uniting the theatre departments of the University of North Georgia and Brenau University, has consistently set the standard for theatrical excellence in the north Georgia region. This year’s donation designates the Ivester Foundation as a sponsor for GTA’s April 2024 production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The foundation’s generous sponsorship will continue to support one mainstage show each season over the next decade.

The Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation, dedicated to enhancing the lives of the people in Gainesville and Hall County, has a rich history of supporting education, scholarship, visual arts, performing arts, parks, and gardens. Their diverse range of contributions includes efforts such as the Ivester Amphitheater, sponsorship of various performances around town, and support for educational institutions.

“The Foundation Directors believe that theatre is an important contributor to the wellbeing of any community. The Foundation is delighted with this new partnership with GTA,” stated Doug Ivester, former CEO of Coca-Cola. “The goals of the MDI/VKI Foundation are long term. The desire of the Foundation is to be a perpetual contributor to Gainesville & Hall County, sponsoring organizations, programs, and people who simply make life in Gainesville special and better.”

“The support of the MDI/VKI Foundation is an immense blessing to our program and a crucial showcase of how the support of our community is what drives our ability to bring what is good, true, and beautiful to our stages,” responded GTA Artistic Director Zechariah Pierce. “We look forward to fostering this relationship in ways that will make this unique university alliance program one that stands out regionally.”

“The Foundation Board hopes that our support will result in bringing theatre to a larger and more diverse audience than has existed before. We hope to work with the management of GTA to achieve that goal,” added Brian Rochester, an Ivester Foundation Board member.

Gainesville Theatre Alliance expresses its gratitude for the foundation’s commitment to the arts, emphasizing the long-term impact this partnership will have on the community’s cultural vibrancy.

One-Man Theatrical Spectacle Blends Dickensian Classic with Vaudeville, Clown, and Mime Techniques
(NOV 15, 2023—GAINESVILLE, GA) Gainesville Theatre Alliance is proud to present the upcoming production of An Actor’s Carol: One Man’s Dickensian Marathon Toward Redemption, a unique and transformative adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale, performed by acclaimed actor David Weber. The production will take place at the University of North Georgia-Gainesville’s Ed Cabell Theatre from December 1-3.

This one-man show, adapted for the stage by David Weber, Tim Blewitt, and Zach Hilbun, pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling by incorporating elements of vaudeville, clown, and mime. The kinetic performance, punctuated by moments of clarity and hilarity from our Clown’s backstory, promises a night of holiday spirit told through a captivating journey of redemption and self-discovery.

Weber, an Assistant Professor of Performance at Oklahoma State University, brings a wealth of experience and talent to the stage. Named one of the Top Ten Actors in Atlanta by Atlanta Journal-Constitution critic Bert Osborne, Weber’s portrayal of Scrooge promises to be a solid display of his wide-ranging acting talents.

“I believe a good clown reveals something very honest about themselves, and this show is about the power of that honesty. It is also about redemption, restoration of the spirit, and the healing power of amends,” Weber says. He describes the production as “an athletic-paced performance that offers a new twist on this often produced, timeless and redemptive tale.”

Adding to the festive atmosphere, the show will feature Christmas carols performed by guitarist Chris Damiano, enhancing the audience’s immersive experience.

Following its Gainesville run, An Actor’s Carol will continue its tour, making stops in Denver, Chicago, and Los Angeles, showcasing the universal appeal of this innovative production.

Tickets for the production are priced at $15 and can be purchased at GainesvilleTheatreAlliance.org or by calling the GTA Box Office at 678-717-3624.

(OCT 23, 2023—GAINESVILLE, GA) Gainesville Theatre Alliance invites audiences to its upcoming production of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s beloved classic, Cinderella, set to run from November 10-18, 2023 at Brenau University’s Hosch Theatre, located inside the John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts.

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella is a contemporary retelling of the classic tale that has enchanted audiences for generations. The story follows young Ella, who dreams of a life beyond the confines of her stepmother’s cruel grip. With the help of her fairy godmother, Ella transforms, overcoming adversity and finding love in the most unexpected of places. This age-old story of hope, magic, and the power of dreams captures hearts with its delightful characters and memorable songs. The show is recommended for general audiences.

Director Ste Clough, Brenau University Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre, intends to delve deep into the construct of time, melding the beloved tale with the mechanical intricacies and Victorian aesthetics of steampunk. “This production intends to highlight the various facets of the construct of time, giving it an exploded view into the inner workings of a Renaissance clock,” Clough says. “The use of cogs and gears with the aesthetics of steampunk, rotate and create a movement of time in which our space is set, and our story is told.”

Audiences are invited to attend the free opening night reception, which takes place after the November 10th 7:30 pm performance, which will be catered by Two Dog Restaurant.

Tickets for the show range from $18 to $30 and are available for purchase at GainesvilleTheatreAlliance.org or by calling the GTA Box Office at 678-717-3624.