NOW ONLINE! EPISODE 8!
Spring is in the air and love blooms in all forms at Horizon’s Southbound: Love In Full Bloom! Join us LIVE for an evening of real-life humorous tales celebrating blooming love and the lengths we will go to find it, enjoy it and at times, lose it.
Read about the featured artists below!
Our high energy hosts for Southbound: Love in Full Bloom are Megan Hayes (Horizon’s Every Brilliant Thing, Sex with Strangers and Waffle Palace Christmas) and Brittani Minnieweather (Sweet Water Taste and The Ghosts of Little Five Points). As in all Southbound episodes, our audiences will have the chance to participate in the fun by responding to prompts and questions from our hosts!
SKYLAR BROWN (featured guest) is an Atlanta based actor, singer, and musician. He was last seen on Horizon’s stage performing as Svec in his favorite musical Once. Other Atlanta credits include The Color Purple (Actor’s Express), The Addams Family (Atlanta Lyric Theatre) and currently in the Pretty Pants Bandit (Georgia Ensemble Theatre). Skyler also tours the southeast with his band My Brother Skyler, singing and playing guitar. You can follow his music and exploits on Instagram at @skyler_is_brown or @mybrotherskyler
MEGAN HAYES (co-host, featured guest) is an award-winning writer, storyteller, and actor. She has appeared at the Horizon in Every Brilliant Thing, Waffle Palace Christmas, Sex with Strangers, Tree and The Santaland Diaries to name a few. Her film and television credits include The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Emmy-nominated Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings: These Old Bones, Eastbound & Down.
GILLIE JONES (featured guest) stars in The Curse of La Patasola, a horror feature released theatrically by Vertical Entertainment in fourteen cities nationwide, and is currently streaming on various VOD services such as Apple iTunes, Xfinity, Amazon Prime, Roku, and more. Her performance has been spotlighted by national media for bringing the integral, authentic tension which drives the character-driven story. The Curse of La Patasola has been featured in major publications such as Deadline Hollywood, Indie Wire, Bloody Disgusting, the AJC, and ArtsATL. Additional credits include Fox’s Welcome to Flatch and a variety of killings with The Murder Mystery Company. Jones currently splits her time between Atlanta and Los Angeles, where she enjoys incorporating both creativity and business into her life and career. She is co-owner of the feature film production company Renegade Creative and was co-founder of Nova House, which helped solve the large problem of financial inequality in the entertainment industry by offering a membership-based taping service and communal home for actors in Atlanta. Alongside her husband and sister, Gillie is hoping to relaunch Nova House as a 501c3 nationwide in the near future, focusing on this issue.
TOPHER PAYNE‘s (featured guest) first gig in Atlanta theatre was here at Horizon, designing the set for the first production of The Santaland Diaries. He returned eighteen years later to play the role of Crumpet. In between those two gigs, he wrote a whole bunch of plays and a handful of movies, directed some really great teams of artists, perfected his Julia Sugarbaker impression, and found his chosen family. Topher was the 2018 inductee into the Georgia Theatre Hall of Fame, and is currently a visiting professor of theatre at Berry College.
“Why shouldn’t I get married again? When you screw up the first couple of pancakes, you don’t throw out the batter and say ‘Oh well, I guess I don’t deserve pancakes.'”
SOUTHBOUND EPISODE ARCHIVE –
STREAM ON-DEMAND!
Recorded Live on October 18, 2021 at Horizon Theatre in Atlanta, GA.
See bios of featured guests below the series of videos and see their images here to jump directly to their portion of the show.
ABOUT THE SERIES
From the depths of the ATL, Horizon Theatre is spotlighting the stories bubbling up from artists from the Beltline to the West End to Buford Highway. Southbound: True Life Tales from the ATL and Beyond is the newest original show from Horizon. The inaugural serial show premiered online April 5, 2021 and boasted a stellar line-up of ATL artists ready to share their amazing true-life tales.
The series will initially take place on Zoom. Once the theatre reopens, Horizon plans to present live performances of Southbound at least once per month on Monday nights. Each tale will be told from the heart by writers, musicians, actors, journalists, leaders, celebrities – and just plain folks with great ATL stories to tell.
WANT TO REACH US with a story, idea, suggestion or something else? Email, southbound@horizontheatre.com
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
THE CO-HOSTS
Megan Hayes (Co-Host) is an award-winning writer, storyteller and actor. She has appeared at the Horizon in Waffle Palace Christmas, Sex with Strangers, Tree and Santaland Diaries to name a few. Her film and Television credits include The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Emmy nominated Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings: These Old Bones, Eastbound & Down. An avid storyteller, Megan has appeared on the Risk! Podcast, Tales From Tinseltown, Eat Your Words, Hatedate and is a Write Club LA winner.
Brittani Minnieweather (Co-Host) is an actor, playwright, and activist. She is a co-founder of B.L.A.C.T. Her original play, Sundays at Four, won Best Play at the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival in October 2019. Acting credits include: Sweet Water Taste, Freaky Friday and Madeline’s Christmas (Horizon Theatre), Jump and Little Shop of Horrors (Actor’s Express), Secrets of a Soccer Mom (Stage Door Players), Sweat (The Warehouse Theatre), Sordid Lives (Out Front Theatre), Polkadots (The Legacy Theatre), For Colored Girls… and The Laramie Project (IA Playhouse), and Debbie Allen’s Brothers of the Knight (Ms. Debbie Allen) Follow her: @britminnieweather
EPISODE 7 (DEC/2021) GUESTS — LIVE!
CHRIS KAYSER is tthrilled to return to Horizon Theatre for Southbound! His previous Horizon credits include The Lonesome West, The Drawer Boy, Skylight, Quills, Superior Donuts, The City of Conversation, and most recently Sweet Water Taste. He has been seen at the Alliance Theatre in Ever After, A Christmas Carol (where he played Scrooge for many years) and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and at Theatrical Outfit in The Light in the Piazza. He was an ensemble member with Georgia Shakespeare for over 20 years where he performed in dozens of Shakespeare plays, musicals and comedies. He is a regular with Theatre du Reve, Atlanta’s French language theatre, and has been honored to perform extensively in Paris and other parts of France over the last several years. Much love to my family, Terri, Jacob, and Noelle.
ROB CLEVELAND most recently appeared at Horizon as Krampus in Waffle Palace Christmas. He has appeared on stages all around Atlanta, most notably as Hoke in Driving Miss Daisy, Sam in Master Harold and the Boys (Suzi nominee), and Midge in I’m Not Rappaport (Suzi nominee). Other recent projects include The Royale at Theatrical Outfit and A Doll’s House, Part 2 at Actor’s Express/ Aurora Theatre.
SUEHYLA EL-ATTAR YOUNG is an award-winning actor/playwright/storyteller based in Atlanta. Horizon Theatre has been her home for nearly two decades! First, she was the Box Office Manager (and nearly got the theatre shut down — by accident!). Then, she was a playwright experiencing her VERY first world premiere (The Perfect Prayer, 2006), then her second world premiere (Third Country 2013). In the midst of all that, she was allowed on stage as an actor: 9 Parts of Desire (2007); The Clean House (2008); Freed Spirits (2016). And that one time where she was an actor AND the playwright, Nope, That’s Just My First Name (2020). Currently and for over the last decade, she’s the lead teaching artist with the Horizon Theatre Playwright Residency, a program focused on visiting multiple schools in the Atlanta area every year to teach playwriting. She lives happily with her husband and their two cats in Decatur.
JASMINE RENNE ELLIS is a Jackson, Mississippi Native who now resides in Metro Atlanta. At the conclusion of her matriculation at the illustrious Clark Atlanta University, she completed the Aurora Theatre Professional Acting Apprenticeship Company. Since then, Jasmine has graced stages in the metro area in Ghost: The Musical (GET), Widowood (Synchronicity), and Macbeth (Atlanta Shakespeare Company), and several others in concert. Jasmine also has directing and writing credits with the Aurora Theatre Academy and Buicentennial Productions. She is excited to make a Horizon Theatre debut with an original spoken word piece. You can also see Jasmine in Marie and Rosetta at True Colors Theatre this December! Follow her creative journey @jasminereneeellis on FB, IG, Tiktok.
GWEN HUGHES has released six albums on Fairfield Records, starting with “Torch Life” in the 1990s up until her newest album, “Dancing in the Moonlight,” recorded with her European band, Mono, featuring the greatest hits of their ten years of touring Eastern Europe. Gwen recently signed with Zoho Music for the album, “Native Land,” a recording celebrated by JazzWeekly: “Gwen does it again!” Always a musical explorer, her latest singles fuse jazz with EDM and hip-hop: “I’d Know Your Voice Anywhere (Mark Alston Deep House Remix)” and “You Make Me Feel Like Candy” (BELOW Remix). Along the way, she has crooned from Paris to Istanbul, collaborated on a film about Elvis impersonators (“We Three Kings”), and appeared as a character in a detective novel (Phillip DePoy’s, Dancing Made Easy, published by Dell.) In 2016, Gwen performed in Prague at the invitation of Emil Viklicky, the Czech Republic’s national jazz legend. The former Ambassador to Slovenia, Joseph Mussomeli, proclaims: “As a performer and a person, Gwen is a delight, and the music that pours–actually, gushes–from her band is stirring and refreshing.” The US State Department sponsored two tours of the band through Eastern Europe. Gwen also has appeared on television, most recently on Donald Glover’s Atlanta, as well as appearances onStan Against Evil (IFC) and Murder Comes to Town and Dead Silent (both on Investigation ID). In 2012, Gwen was cast in the world premiere of Stephen King and John Mellencamp’s Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, with music production by T-Bone Burnette. Offstage, Gwen worked as a Board Governor with The Recording Academy, as well as Atlanta’s Grammy Museum Ambassador (which preserves the American music heritage). She was also the Johnny Mercer “Artist in Residence” with the GA Music Hall of Fame and instructor for The Otis Redding Foundation Songwriter Camp. She is also an advocate for music education all over the world, working with students of all ages in the US, Morocco, Kenya, Slovenia, and France.
EPISODE 6 (OCT 18) GUESTS — LIVE!
JENNIFER ALICE ACKER was last seen at Horizon as the lead in the hit musical Freaky Friday. She is an actor, director and vocalist for the stage based in Atlanta, GA. By night an artist, by day she splits her time as the Executive Director of Eclectic Music, a local music school, and as a consultant with Fae + Fauna, a business consulting agency. She is wildly passionate about art in most mediums, theatre, healthy work cultures, healthy communication styles and relationships, tarot, travel, cocktails and goooood food. In the downtimes she is an expert cat-cuddler and an amateur watercolorist… oh yeah, and she has a blog: jenniferaliceacker.com/musings
LAURA LORENA MORALES, originally from Mexico, is a DACA Dreamer and actress based out of Atlanta. You may have recently seen her as La Loca Lopez Perez Smith during Lawrenceville, GA Ghost Tour. She is also the first female Spanish tour guide in the state of Georgia at Aurora Theatre’s Encuentro Fantasmal. Or perhaps as Maria in 9 to 5: The Musical (Onstage Atlanta) and Onstage Atlanta’s Spring Shorts, Baby Doll. She’s worked with Aurora Theatre playing the role of Ana Garcia in Real Women Have Curves and was part of Theatrical Outfits’ Unexpected Reading Festival of Just Like Us. Lorena would like to thank her parents for packing their few things, risking their lives just to be here with you sharing my story.
GINA RICKICKI is returning to Horizon for another Halloween season, having starred in and written for last year’s online Halloween show, The Ghosts of Little Five Points. An actor, improviser, and writer based in Atlanta, she holds a BFA in acting from Long Island University. In the Before Times, you may have seen her perform at any number of theatres around town, including the Essential Theatre, Theatrical Outfit, Dad’s Garage, The Weird Sisters, Horizon Theatre, and Aris Theatres, and also many live lit events. She performs healing improvised humor in local children’s hospitals as a clown with Humorology Atlanta. Catch her at Theatrical Outfit this winter in Baskerville, a Sherlock Holmes Mystery, where she will make with the scripted funny. Viva la Vida.
SPENCER G. STEPHENS is an Atlanta-area actor/singer/puppeteer and educator. He has performed for many theatres in the metro Atlanta area including Dad’s Garage Theatre, Synchronicity, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Essential Theatre and the Center for Puppetry Arts where he is a Resident Puppeteer and has performed since 2002. He is a Suzi Bass Award Nominee and a two time Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre (MAT) Award winner.
THE TOMB TONES are straight outta their graves in Atlanta, GA, and will trick or treat your ears to a witch’s brew of hokey horror references, infectious hooks, and spooky storytelling that’s oozing with Halloween punk rock sweetness. Drawing inspiration from classic novelty rock and favorites like The Cramps, Ramones, and the B-52s, THE TOMB TONES have made their own monster by realizing a spooktacular vision for a cartoonish Buddy-Holly-meets-The-Twilight-Zone aesthetic. The Tomb Tones joined Batcave Records in 2020 with their album “PUMPKIN GUTS,” comprised of seven hair-raising hits, produced DIY-style by the band and mastered by Rene D La Muerte (of The Brains/Nekromantix). The band has been featured at HollyFest, Avondale MayHam Fest, Rockabillaque, Georgia Horror Fest, and Dragon Con – the largest fan-run pop culture convention in the world. They are currently working on their second full release (in between dirt naps, of course!)
EPISODE 5 (SEPT 13) GUESTS
Our yummy lineup includes Jason MacDonald of The Vampire Diaries (former co-owner of Stone Soup Kitchen),TV actor Patrick Donohue, Horizon actor and songwriter Brandon Partrick, and more.
PATRICK DONOHUE is an Atlanta-based actor and writer whose screen credits include Love, Simon, An L.A. Minute, FOX’s The Resident, TNT’s Good Behavior, and the critically-despised Undercover Brother 2. His writing has been published by The Writing Cooperative, P.S. I Love You, and ATLWell. When he’s not acting or writing, he can be seen coaching CrossFit or slinging steaks at an undisclosed restaurant in Buckhead.
JASON MACDONALD made his professional acting debut on the soap opera Another World and appeared on every New York-based soap including As The World Turns, All My Children, The Guiding Light, and as Principal Fletcher on One Life To Live. Jason’s New York stage work includes stints at LaMama, Circle in the Square, Lincoln Center, and opposite Frank Langella in the Roundabout Theatre Company production of The Tempest. Jason has worked extensively in commercials, industrials, print, and voice-over in New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta for over 25 years. Feature film credits include The Accountant, Life As We Know It, The Family That Preys, Beacon Point, The Joneses, Pageant Material, and the thriller 1st Summoning. Television credits include Bull, Dynasty, Miracle Workers, Bigger, Good Behavior, The Inspectors, Kevin Probably Saves the World, Outcast, Born Again Virgin, Necessary Roughness, Drop Dead Diva, House of Payne, Single Ladies, Magic City, Witches of East End, Criminal Behavior and as Grayson Gilbert on The Vampire Diaries. As a founder of Drama Inc. Films Jason has written, produced, and directed several short films including the international film festival hit, Mr. Goody.
BRANDON PARTRICK has been playing music for fun since he was 7 years old. In addition to music, Brandon is a professional stage and screen actor, as well as a museum educator and historical interpreter at the Atlanta History Center. He is a guitarist, and hobby vocalist, who also enjoys playing on any instrument he can get his hands on, from piano to violin, ukulele to Cajon! He enjoys the outdoors and ATL’s great restaurant scene.
EPISODE 4 (JULY 12) GUESTS
Quentin Avery Brown is a multidisciplinary artist and entrepreneur. He is the Executive Director of Independent Artists’ Playhouse an Atlanta based theatre company and serves on the board of directors for ArtsATL. He has traveled the country as a backup singer for two Elton John tribute shows as well as performed in various theatrical productions at several regional theatres. In Atlanta, he has had the privilege of performing onstage with the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, True Colors Theatre Company, Legacy Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Aurora Theatre and Six Flags Over Georgia. As a singer/songwriter you can find his new single “To Be In Love” available on all music platforms. Additional writing credits include the title song to Sunday’s at Four which premiered at the Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival in 2018 and the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival in 2019. Quentin served as the choreographer for two summers in a row at Mable House Arts Center for their productions of SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE JR. and MULAN JR. and was Camp Director/Choreographer for Beauty and the Beast and the Sound of Music at Forefront Arts and currently is the Theatre Director at Camp Lindenmere in the Poconos. During the pandemic he spent his time developing shows such as Music In Pictures, Ladies of the 80s and The Men of Motown with the Aurora Welcomes series.
Lala Cochran has spent the better part of her acting life at the Horizon and is grateful to Lisa and Jeff for all of the opportunities they have provided to tell stories and grow as an actor. Let’s hope she’s learned a thing or two since ESCAPE FROM HAPPINESS in Horizon’s ’94-’95 season. Lisa gave her the challenge of creating a cooking show to entertain all comers during the Pandemic, and Cooking a la Lala was born. And here come s a story telling challenge that we’ll see if you’re up for. Thank you all for supporting the Horizon!
Enoch King is a Georgia native and he began his career path at Tri-Cities High School Visual and Performing Arts where he met his mentor Freddie Hendricks and joined the critically acclaimed Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble of Atlanta where performed such pieces as Enoch has been blessed with the opportunity to work with Horizon Theater, Ga. Shakespeare Festival, Aurora Theatre, Theatrical Outfit, True Colors Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Jewish Theater of the South, and Dad’s Garage. His movie credits include UNCLE DREW, THE WATSON’S GO TO BIRMINGHAM, DRUMLINE, THE FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS, and MADEA’S FAMILY REUNION. He has also appeared on T.V. with TYLER PERRY’S HOUSE OF PAYNE, BET’S LET’S STAY TOGETHER, and various commercials.
Wendy Melkonian has been seen in theaters all over town, most recently and SKINTIGHT at Actor’s Express. She’s learning to adjust to this new online format because it brings together two of her greatest loves: Theatre and her dogs. This month she’s excited to be joining the Second City Conservatory. Wendy has a Master of Music degree from The Boston Conservatory and pays the bills as a TMJ massage therapist. Love to Megan and Brittani!
Talley is a homegrown Atlanta girl, doing stand up comedy because it’s cheaper than therapy. You can catch her at venues such as The Laughing Skull or Second Self Brewery, telling stories about her family, friends, and several hilarious relationships.
EPISODE 3 (JUNE 21) GUESTS
W. Imara Canady (Featured Guest) is a highly respected executive leader, nationally known for building partnerships and collaborations that have a sustainable community impact. He is National Director for Communications & Community Engagement for AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the world’s largest, non-profit, HIV/AIDS service and advocacy organization. He has led the charge in attracting national entertainment related business to Atlanta, including the VIBE Music Festival, the Soul Train Music Awards, the BET Hip-Hop Awards.
Eugene IV (Featured Guest) performs his original song “Brand New Day” which reveals a picture of what the other side of the fight for justice looks like – a sonic moment that moves the listener to close their eyes, breathe deeply, and envision a positive new day. Born and raised in southwest Atlanta, Eugene is a multi-talented vocalist, musician, songwriter, and award-winning actor. He’s shared stages with artists such as Grammy Winners Ann Nesby and India.Arie as well as jazz legend Earl Klugh and the France-based duo Les Nubians. He composed the music for the Alliance Theatre world premiere of Beautiful Blackbird as well as, recently, it’s animated feature film entitled Sit-In.
Tina Fears (Featured Guest) In Ponytails, Popsicles and Parades Tina recounts what started off as a “typical Saturday morning filled with cartoons, mile-high pancakes, and getting my hair pressed then intricately styled by my mother” which quickly became the day where a “parade” introduced her to activism and changed her life forever. Tina is a L.A. native proud to call Atlanta home. She is the founder of Stage Ready, a full-service production company that offers award-winning production management, creative direction, and memorable performance experiences. Her work as an actor, singer, and dancer includes regional productions of Simply Simone, Dreamgirls, In The Heights, and national major brand commercials. Her role as Clara Ward in the National Geographic project Genius: Aretha is now on HULU.
Thomas W. Jones II (Featured Guest/Horizon Artistic Associate) remembers The Birth of Junteenth Celebration for Jomandi Productions, which began in the 1990s in Atlanta as a modest celebration for artists and friends of the theatre as an ending season celebration and mushroomed in 3 years to a 150,000 attended event in Grant Park that shut down I-20! Tom has directed, written and performed in 200 plays worldwide. He founded Jomandi Productions (1978-2000), where, as Co-Artistic and Producing Director, Tom led Jomandi to become the third largest African-American theatre in the United State. His work as a writer, director and actor has been acclaimed nationally and internationally with (among others) 48 Washington DC Helen Hayes Award nominations, (15 wins), including Best Director. He currently develops his own new plays and musicals through his theatre company, Via Theatrical, and in collaboration with Horizon and theatres in New York, Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Keena Redding (Featured Guest/Major Gifts Manager) tells a powerful story about her mother, the Chief Equity Officer of the Redding family – fighting racism on behalf of her children 40 years before anyone even knew what a Chief Equity Officer was. Keena is Major Gifts Manager at Horizon Theatre. She is also an Atlanta actress, singer, teacher, writer, music director, and activist with a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from The University of Florida, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Music from Brenau University. She has worked with theaters across Atlanta, is music director of Horizon’s Madeline’s Christmas, and is founder and lead voice and acting teacher at Hummingbird Studios.
EPISODE 2 (MAY 10) GUESTS
Terry Burrell (Featured Guest) has appeared on and off-Broadway and now is a familiar face at the Alliance and Horizon (she’s in our Love, M. virtual show). Today she’s sharing hilarious and touching stories of being raised by a unique and dynamic woman ahead of her time, in a large, extended “family” while learning about spontaneous acts of love and sacrifice you make for family.
Carolyn Cook (Featured Guest) feels right at home at Horizon, having performed and directed many times over the last 30 years. She shares her poignant and funny stories of her amazing roller coaster ride as caregiver for her mom, still living and loving through Alzheimer’s
Melissa Fay Greene (Featured Guest) is the award-winning Atlanta author of six stunning books of nonfiction–and she’s also the mother of nine kids! Hear her hilarious tales of birthing her books while raising her blended family of biological and adopted children. If you want to know more, well, she wrote a book about it: No Biking in the House Without a Helmet. You may also know her from her must-read books Praying for Sheetrock and The Temple Bombing.
India S. Tyree (Featured Guest) is an actor/musician you’ve seen onstage at the Alliance, Aurora Theatre, and all over Atlanta. She’ll be singing to honor all the moms out there and in pure dedication to her grandma Shirley. “She instilled in me my love for music and singing, and she has shown me how important it is to be selfless and think of others.”
EPISODE 1 (APRIL 5) GUESTS
O’Neil Delapenha (Featured Guest) is an Atlanta based actor, director and writer. Excited to be back with the Horizon family, you may have recently seen him in The Ghosts of Five Little Points. Other credits around town include All’s Well that Ends Well with The Shakespeare Tavern, Blue Angels Weekend with Synchronicity, and A Day in the Life of Kidney Man an original one person show commissioned by Fantasy Theatre Factory in Miami, Fl.
Mary Lynn Owen (Featured Guest) is an Atlanta-based actor, writer, and educator with a career spanning over 40 years. A two-time Suzi Award winner, her work onstage includes Amanda in The Glass Menagerie, Dr. Vivian Bearing in Wit, Ouisa Kittredge in Six Degrees of Separation, Birdie in The Little Foxes, The Stage Manager in Our Town, and here at Horizon Theatre, Laurie in Third, and Ana in The Clean House. Her play, KNEAD, a one-person play in which she also performs, baking four loaves of bread onstage during every performance, received its world premiere at The Alliance Theatre in November 2018. KNEAD, a winner of The Alliance Theatre’s Reiser Lab Award and a semi-finalist for the 2017 O’Neill National Playwright’s Conference, is also the recipient of the 2019 Gene Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award. Mary Lynn is a longtime faculty member of Emory University’s Theater Studies Department. She is a member of Actor’s Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, The Dramatist’s Guild, and Working Title Playwrights.
Chase Peacock (Featured Guest) performed on Broadway in Green Day’s American Idiot. Some favorite credits include: High School Musical first national tour, Bull Durham at the Alliance Theatre, The Wedding Singer, Catch Me If You Can, and Jekyll & Hyde at the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Miss Saigon (Suzy Bass Award) and Titanic at Serenbe Playhouse, Ghost and Million Dollar Quartet at the Georgia Ensemble Theatre, and Daddy Long Legs at the Legacy Theatre. Chase has been writing music for 15 years, and has written 3 musicals with cast mate Jessica De Maria. Find out more at www.ChaseandJessica.com
Maggie Salley‘s (Featured Guest) Previous Atlanta credits: Jekyll and Hyde (Atlanta Lyric) Footloose! (Theatre Buford) Parade, Next to Normal, Songs for a New World (Wallace Buice Theatre Company), and Chicago: Swingin’ on a Star (Artists Lounge Live.) Long time Disney vocalist/voice over artist mainly in their Hong Kong Park, she’s happy to be working a bit closer to her Augusta, Georgia family. www.maggiesalley.com
Sherri D. Sutton (Featured Guest) is a modern-day prophetess. She crosses gender, sexuality, race, pop culture, politics, and age with charism and charm, as she spins balls of yarn into hilarious stories. Her fans have called her “the voice of the gay community,” but her comedy transcends sexuality and gender. Sherri is a US comic, actor, and writer who hails from Georgia and tours internationally. Her Southern roots run deep, but thank God the branches reach wide. Sherri’s one-woman shows Don’t Make Fun of Jesus and Taking Out the White Trash! have played to sold-out crowds in New York, Atlanta, Canada, India, Malaysia, Europe, and Indonesia. After six years in Switzerland, this little devil currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
Shay Youngblood (Featured Guest) is a writer, visual artist, and educator. Author of several novels, collections of short stories and numerous essays, her published plays including Shaking the Mess Out of Misery, which was her first play and premiered at Horizon Theatre, have been widely produced and her short stories have been performed at Symphony Space and recorded for NPR’s Selected Shorts. She teaches monthly creative writing workshops at Youngblood Arts. Her current projects include children’s books, a super hero graphic novel collaboration and a multi-media performance work on architecture, memory and the environment inspired by research in Japan, China and the U.S. She has lived all over the world, but grew up here in Georgia – and is back in Atlanta now. www.shayyoungblood.com