ATLANTA: Actor’s Express has launched Virtual Downstage: A Theatrical Online Experience and announced a slate of fall 2020 programs to be presented online, including a new play reading, weekly monologue series, and a one-woman show.
“As theatre companies across Atlanta and the nation continue to assess when we can return to live, in-person programming, we wanted to think about different kinds of work that can resonate with our audiences online,” said artistic director Freddie Ashley in a statement. “We have curated a slate of work that speaks to our current moment in thoughtful and varying ways.”
The programming will begin with a free, online reading of Hometown Boy (Oct. 4), by Keiko Green. Donya K. Washington will direct this play about James, who returns to his rural Georgia hometown, and all of the long-buried secrets there, when his father’s behavior becomes worryingly erratic.
Beginning on Oct. 8, Actor’s Express’s YouTube channel will feature a weekly monologue series. The company commissioned three playwrights to create short-form solo performance pieces around the theme of hope for the future. The series will include you are going to do amazing things by Quinn Xavier Hernandez, Toward Joy by Amina S. McIntyre, and SpongeBob Spectrum Pineapple People by Avery Sharpe.
Next will be Neat (Nov. 11-25), by Charlayne Woodard, a solo play about Woodard’s aunt that explores embracing womanhood, Blacknees, and the changes life brings.
To close out the fall, Actor’s Express is planning a holiday surprise this December to ring in the holiday season.
Actor’s Express, founded in 1988, develops and produces new works and contemporary plays.
