Coming Soon Archives - 7 Stages Theatre

What’s On in 2024

Devi Wells — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 23:10:09 +0000

Dear beloved community, we recently invited you to activate your voices in artistic protest – to create and heal through the power of art. THANK YOU for your inspiring responses. Keep them coming.

It is an honor to invite you to some upcoming projects that are specific opportunities to get involved ASAP! While proposals for Curious Sensory Encounters are a refreshing vehicle to explore artistic protest, we are eager to be in vital conversations on mental health and identity with our longtime friend Parris Sarter in Eunice in Paris, the newest work in our Home Brew Series. Further, True North shines a light on the latest scientific research combined with ancient practices which enable each of us to ground ourselves in the midst of uncertainty. Together we WILL continue to create – there will be singing in these dark times. We have so much encouragement as we collectively envision a future of global healing and opportunity. Our stages are yours, see you soon!

– Heidi S Howard, 7 Stages Artistic Director

Eunice in Paris – A Presentation of New Work as Part of 7 Stages’ Home Brew Series – January 27-28, 2024

Performance Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 5:30 PM, & Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 3:00 PM followed by post-show Art of Activism dialogue.

7 Stages will begin 2024 with a presentation of Eunice in Paris, a presentation of new work as part of our Home Brew Series. Set in the 1980s in the Parisian nightclub Theatre Olympia, Nina Simone is confronted with her choices and relives experiences with James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, her parents and others in a piece that crescendos with an existential look into her mental health, her choices, and of course the motivations behind her music and songwriting.

This production, in development with Hush Harbor Lab, was performed at The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival in 2022. Now, a revised presentation will hit the 7 Stages Backstage Theatre with Parris Sarter as Nina Simone. Written by Amina S. McIntyre, and directed by Thandi DeShazor.

This presentation is part of 7 Stages’ Home Brew Series, which provides a platform and resources for works in development that exhibit promise, stimulation, and provocation. Performances will take place January 27 and 28 at 7 Stages, accompanied by Service Saturday and Art of Activism programs. Learn more and get tickets at 7Stages.org/shows/eunice-in-paris-2024

Service Saturday – Jan. 27 from 2-5 PM before Eunice in Paris performance

Service Saturdays aim to help our community thrive by providing vital resources like food, clothing, and personal protection equipment, while bringing together local community-driven organizations under one roof. We have often collaborated with artists to make our Service Saturdays as entertaining as they are enlightening. These events are always complimentary, and they will continue to provide valuable resources to people of our community.

Guests on January 27 include LifeSouth Blood Donation Centers, New Georgia Project, Fulton Co Board of Health, and Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative. Refreshments provided by Sip & Share Wines.

Art of Activism – Jan. 28 from 4-6 PM after Eunice in Paris performance

Art of Activism brings together community experts, artists and patrons for powerful conversations. Throughout the year, community members gather to discuss social justice, othering, and the prevalence of intolerance.

Conversations are often related to a specific 7 Stages production, but always cover topics of the utmost social importance and relevance. You don’t have to see the production to participate in the Art of Activism dialogue but we encourage participants to do so to fully understand how the art connects to the community conversations.

The January 28 Art of Activism will follow a presentation of Eunice in Paris, relating to the themes and development of the production.

True North – March 2024

Atlanta playwright Lee Nowell’s play True North first came to 7 Stages as part of our Home Brew @ Home Series in 2020, and is now being developed as a full stage production. This scientific theatrical experience asks audiences to consider the things around them that they can’t see, like electromagnetic energy and the way we interact with it, in addition to the way it affects all of us.

All compasses point to Magnetic North, but Magnetic North is currently moving erratically – averaging 34 to 40 miles per year- and humans feel it. When magnetic fields move erratically, the part of our brain that makes ethical decisions becomes impaired, and our health can be compromised.

Developed in partnership with a NASA scientist, the project illuminates the dedicated work of scientists from around the world. TRUE NORTH is a creative exploration of the forces that interconnect us, and the ways we can accept and work within them to stabilize ourselves internally and create a more just, peaceful world. Characterizations of Magnetic North and the Noosphere are paired with relatable everyday Joe and a scientist speaking her truth. The show is a guidebook, combining the latest scientific research with ancient practices from cultural traditions which enable each of us to ground ourselves in the midst of uncertainty.

Curious Sensory Encounters – May 2024

7 Stages’ wildly popular recurring (yet ever-changing) immersive journey explores all of the intricacies of a particular theme with numerous performances and installations throughout the theatre. This year, we will explore the senses, as related to Ilya Kaminsky’s book Deaf Republic. Artists of various disciplines will create artistic responses to the book and general theme, resulting in a wide range of experiences for patrons.

Applications for artists of many disciplines open through March 4, 2024 at 7Stages.org/shows/curiousencounters

Youth Creates – June 24 – July 27, 2024

In its twenty-second year, 7 Stages’ summer theatre training program for teenagers will take students on a journey through every facet of live theatre production–from writing scripts to performing on stage, and all of the technical aspects in between.

Learn more about Youth Creates and apply at 7Stages.org/ourprograms/youth-creates

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Ed. Director Destiny Renee on An American Sunrise and Human Sunrise Festival

Devi Wells — Tue, 17 May 2022 00:44:07 +0000

In anticipation of upcoming Human Sunrise Festival, we talked with our dear friend, collaborator, and 7 Stages Education Director Destiny Renee about the festival and what led up to this multifaceted event.

Destiny has spent the last year helping students across Atlanta craft artistic responses to An American Sunrise by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. This book of poetry speaks to the experiences of Muscogee (Creek) people, whose land we now call Atlanta. Destiny chose to explore An American Sunrise for its universal themes of grief, hope, displacement, loss, ancestry, nature, and to learn about Muscogee people while honoring their lives and work.

Q&A

Your background in performance, art, and education led you to a very unique position with 7 Stages. What drives you to do this work with our community? Is there one overarching goal or dream that keeps you going?

DR – 7 Stages has truly drawn me in because of the important work that they do within the community; everyone is important and their stories matter. They have nurtured me as an artist during a time when I didn’t know I needed that space to grow and strengthen my creative voice. There’s always an overarching goal! To uplift everyone, especially the youth and give them a platform to be heard and create from the heart.

How did An American Sunrise inspire you to bring all of these people together under one roof?

DR – Well honestly after reading like the first 10 poems within An American Sunrise I was already crying and texting our Artistic Director, Heidi Howard, telling her that it was a MUST. The themes within the book were universal: Grief, hope, displacement, loss, honoring ancestry and nature. There’s also a historical aspect which fit really well within our education program. I knew that all communities would benefit from taking a deeper look into the stories of Native & Indigenous people, the first voices. We could all learn a lot from them, especially when it comes to caring for our beloved planet Earth.

What can we expect to do and feel at this event, and what do you think we’ll take away from it?

DR – We can expect to have fun! There will be a variety of artistic responses to Joy Harjo’s beautiful poetry. With text so rich like An American Sunrise, all of our students and Artistic Associates really dug deep to create from a vulnerable space. There will be music, art, dance, short plays, aerial performances, spoken word and so much more. This event will also leave room for community members to tell their own stories inspired by the themes within the book on an open mic as well as different interactive experiences within our lobby. It is my hope that everyone will leave feeling more open to express their truth freely, acknowledge their history and find ways to make a brighter tomorrow.

Human Sunrise Festival

We invite you to our Human Sunrise Festival on May 28th, from 3 – 7 PM in our lobby and outdoors. An eclectic range of artistic responses to Harjo’s journey encourages audiences and L5P visitors to honor the Muscogee and Creek people and their land. As we shed light on colonialism and complacency, we celebrate all of our ancestors and commit to future generations through art making and story sharing.

An immersive installation explores the four classical elements and our stories’ relationships to them. Visual art created by our students, teaching artists, community members, as well as local, national and international artistic associates decorates our gallery. Spoken word poetry, music, dance, aerial performances, and a screening of selected films create a flurry of activity, engagement and connection throughout the event.

Join us for an artburst of sunrise and possibility! CLICK TO LEARN MORE & RSVP.

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Ben Sutton from The Georgia Trust Discusses Gentrification in Atlanta and New Orleans

admin admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 19:48:24 +0000

“Sea of Common Catastrophe” at 7 Stages Theatre, February 2-12. Image courtesy of Melisa Cardona.

7 Stages presents ArtSpot Productions’ “Sea of Common Catastrophe” (Feb. 2-12), which features some heavy themes of Hurricane Katrina and gentrification in New Orleans. These ideas aren’t restricted to NOLA though; over the last few years Atlanta has had its own problems with gentrification. We caught up with Historic Properties Coordinator Ben Sutton from The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation to shed more light on what gentrification is and how ATL arts and younger generations can be aware of it.

Q. What is gentrification and what causes it?

A. I think gentrification is a bit of a loaded term because, depending on who you are and your perspective, it can mean a couple of different things. Generally speaking … gentrification is when a traditional or historic neighborhood rapidly changes in terms of property values, because folks who have not traditionally lived in that area, are drawn to the amenities or affordable property that are available there. Long term, if those home values stay at a high level, then their tax rates also increase which means that even if somebody has lived in a historic neighborhood for a long time and has no intent to sell, that home becomes unaffordable for them. There is a balance to be struck between a neighborhood that needs investment and revitalization versus a neighborhood that is overrun because it’s a trendy spot.

Q. How has gentrification in Atlanta changed in the 21st Century and what are certain areas that are receiving the brunt of it?

A. Atlanta isn’t experiencing anything that other major cities are not experiencing. In the 1940s through the ‘80s and ‘90s, there was a trend to move out of the city and into the suburbs and satellite cities. People now want to move back into the city … that naturally creates at least the appearance of gentrification …. Major projects that I would argue are connected to that trend, like the Beltline, Ponce City Market, all of these big investments in the city center, are actually a response to the trend that was already taking place – of people moving back into the city. All along the eastside trail of the Beltline, prices have been skyrocketing over the last five years like Inman Park, Virginia Highlands and Historic Midtown. But that would’ve happened without the Beltline. What the Beltline can make sure of is that those westside areas like West End and Adair Park have the opportunity to stay as they have been. …[You’ve] got the new Falcon’s stadium in that area and their big redevelopment plans over in Vine City. So everybody talks a good game but it will be interesting to see if the controls that are in place are actually used to maintain traditional neighborhoods and traditional communities.

Q. How does Atlanta’s gentrification compare to other major U.S. cities like New Orleans?

A. Atlanta is a different animal than New Orleans, which is a very unique case because you basically had everyone leave the city and it became a blank slate. Atlanta is different because there’s nowhere that was entirely wiped out like that. But if you go back to the early 20th century, the density of in-town Atlanta was incredible — just the number of people per square mile. That density disappeared in the last half of the 20th century though and now we’re building back to it. There’s a really great example of what can be done about gentrification in New Orleans. There’s a project called the Iberville Offsites around the historic Tremé neighborhood. They bought 40 or 50 old shotgun houses and saved these dilapidated properties by funding them as low income housing and treating them like an apartment building with 50 units. That project is a really good one to look at because … the low income housing aspect of it not only preserved the architecture, but also the traditional community of the neighborhood. There are many opportunities for that type of model to be used in Atlanta.

Q. What are some things young people (20’s and 30’s) can do to work against gentrification in Atlanta?

A. My advice is just knowing where you live, knowing its history, knowing the people you live with or around and recognizing what part of the community you are. So if you were to move into a historic neighborhood, you might have a neighbor over to your right that’s also a renter and a house across the street with a lady who has lived there for fifty years. Understanding her and her story is a critical aspect of what the community you live in now is all about. From that woman across the street’s perspective, you might be the gentrifier. But from your perspective, the gentrifier is the developer two streets down that’s knocking all these houses down and selling them for three times as much as they bought them for, because if he does that enough times, you can’t rent in that neighborhood anymore. By understanding that neighborhood history, you learn what to fight for and why it’s important to fight for it.

Q. How do the arts affect gentrification?

A. The old adage is “if you want to watch gentrification happen, watch where the artists go,” and that’s because artists are looking for cheap rent and tend to be brave individuals. Once they prove that a place is livable, everybody else tends to follow and eventually you end up with suburban families with kids who move in because they think it’s such a trendy place to live. If you take that as true, then your first step as artists moving into a neighborhood is to build those community bonds I was talking about. Invest however you can in the community you’re in by understanding the history and the people you live around, and by doing that you become a much greater advocate for your neighborhood.

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