Speakeysie News Desk – 8/19/2019

True to its mission, Synchronicity Theatre’s 2019-2020 Season will feature women playwrights and provide new opportunities to uplift the voices of women and girls. The season includes programming in Synchronicity’s Bold Voices Series (contemporary plays for adults), Family Series (compelling plays for children and families), curated new voices in the Stripped Bare Arts Incubator Project, the newly rebranded Women in the Arts and Business Luncheon, the next installment of SheWRITES New Play Festival, and Playmaking for Girls and Playmaking for Kids.

The Bold Voices Series will feature Erica Schmidt’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Mac | Beth (October 4 – 27, 2019), Whitney Rowland’snew playWayfinding (March 6 – 29, 2020), and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (June 5 – 28, 2020), adapted for the stage by Lydia R. Diamond. This production will be performed in honor of the Nobel Prize-winning author, who passed away on August 5, 2019, and is directed by Tinashe Kajese-Bolden, who directed Synchronicity’s 2018 Atlanta Premiere of Danai Gurira’s Eclipsed.

The 2019-2020 Family Series productions include the musical Ella Enchanted by Karen Zacarias (December 13, 2019 – January 5, 2020), adapted from the book by Gail Carson Levine, with music by Deborah Wicks La Puma, and The Hobbit (January 31 – February 23, 2020), adapted from the original book by J.R.R. Tolkien by Greg Banks. The Hobbit will be produced in association with Havoc Movement Company.

The Company will continue its long-standing tradition of curating new voices and providing opportunities for artists to perform new work through the Stripped Bare Arts Incubator Project, focusing on pieces that emphasize words and ideas, with minimal technical elements. The featured projects this year areUnbound by Shernā Ann Phillips (September 17 – 18, 2019); What the Woolf Wore by Abraham Johnson (November 13, 2019); The Gun Show by Elizabeth Dinkova (January 15, 2020); and I’m aMotherf@@@@@@ Super Star: So Where are my Babies? by Valeka J. Holt (May 13, 2020). All performances at 7:30 p.m. More information on the selected projects will be featured at a later date.

Synchronicity will continue its mission of community building with Playmaking for Girls(playwriting workshops for juvenile justice and refugee communities) and Playmaking for Kids (after school and summer camp programs for kids), and the rebranded Women in the Arts and Business Luncheon (a discussion of relevant issues in the arts, philanthropy and economic development of Atlanta) on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Location TBD. 

Synchronicity will also continue a tradition of new play development with the next installment of SheWRITES New Play Festival for female playwrights, May 4-10, 2020. Three playwrights will be selected through a national process.  Each play will be given a director, actors and a minimal production team. All projects will have a public reading by the end of the week. This is the process that brought forth our June 2019 production of Hands of Color by Kimberly Monks.

Also launching this season is The Synchronizers (Synchronicity’s new ambassador program).Synchronizers help promote the visibility of new works at Synchronicity Theatre by actively engaging with various communities to further expand and diversity audiences, as well as to promote Synchronicity’s mission of uplifting the voices of women and girls. The quintessential Synchronizer has a passion for theatre, specifically new works, and is highly motivated to share that passion with others. Ideally, a Synchronizer has active personal and/or professional connections within diverse communities throughout Atlanta. Applicants should be familiar with Synchronicity Theatre, have genuine interest and respect in the work we produce, and support the principles of our mission “to uplift the voices of women and girls and spark community conversation.”

Subscriptions go on sale on Monday, August 12, 2019. Subscribers receive 30% off tickets to Bold Voices and Family Series productions, reserved priority seating, 20% off on additional tickets to select Synchronicity Theatre events, and exclusive subscriber discounts on concessions. Subscriptions range from $25 to $272. For tickets or more information on Synchronicity Theatre, programming and events, visit synchrotheatre.com or call 404-484-8636. All performances will be at Synchronicity Theatre, in Midtown’s Peachtree Pointe complex.

ABOUT THE PLAYS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDEROctober 4 – 27, 2019
Mac | Beth
By William Shakespeare, Adapted by Erica Schmidt
Directed by Jennifer Alice Acker

Show Times:

Wednesday – Saturday at 8 p.m.

Sunday at 5 p.m.

Special Performances:

Preview Performance | Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 8 p.m.

Pay-What-You-Can Industry Night | Monday, October 21, 2019 at 8 p.m.

Inside Scoop | Sunday, October 20, 2019 after 5 p.m. Matinee

Special School Matinees | Tuesday, October 8 and October 15, 2019 at 10:30 a.m.

Every Wednesday | Pay-What-You-Can at the Door

All Fridays (except Opening Night) | Free Drink Friday

On an autumn afternoon, in an empty lot outside the city, seven girls meet up to do a play. The girls are witches, ghosts, and kings. They hurl headlong into the unchecked passions of Macbeth—in Shakespeare’s original text—as the line between real life and blood fantasy quickly blurs. Through prophecies and smartphones, unexpected circumstances emerge from Shakespeare’s dark nightmare of ambition gone awry.

December 13, 2019 – January 5, 2020
Ella Enchanted
By Karen Zacarias, Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma, Adapted from the book by Gail Carson Levine
Directed by Jenna Tamisiea
Musical Direction by Amanda Wansa-Morgan

Show Times:

Friday at 7 p.m.

Saturday at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Sunday at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Special Performances:

Every Friday is “PJs & Play” | Children wear pajamas, have milk and cookies, and watch the show. 

Grown-Ups Only Performance | Thursday, December 19 at 8 p.m.

Inside Scoop | Sunday, December 15, 2019 after the 2 p.m. Matinee

School Performances:

Wednesday, December 11 at 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, December 12 at 10:30 a.m.

December 17, 2019 at 10:30 a.m.

December 18, 2019 at 10:30 a.m.

Holiday Schedule:
December 24, 2019 at 11 a.m.

December 26, 2019 at 2 p.m.

Monday, December 30 at 11 a.m.

Tuesday, December 31 at 2 p.m.

As a baby, Ella was given the “gift” to obey every command. Forced to do whatever is asked, including rubbing her stepsister’s stinky feet, Ella fights for independence.  She sets out on an extraordinary journey to battle ogres, befriend a prince, and crash a giant’s wedding to find her fairy Godmother, Lucinda, to undo the spell. A mythical musical based on the book by Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchantedexplores what it means to find your voice and decide your own fate. 
January 31 – February 23, 2020
The Hobbit
Adapted from the original book by J.R.R. Tolkien by Greg Banks
Lyrics by Greg Banks & Tom Johnson
Directed by Jake Guinn
Produced in Association with Havoc Movement Company

Show Times:

Friday at 7 p.m.

Saturday at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Sunday at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Special Performances:

Every Friday is “PJs & Play” | Children wear pajamas, have milk and cookies, and watch the show. 

Inside Scoop | Sunday, February 9, 2020 after the 2 p.m. Matinee

School Performances:

Wednesday, January 29 at 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, January 30 at 10:30 a.m.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. (2/4, 2/5, 2/6, 2/11, 2/12, 2/13, 2/18, 2/19, 2/20)

When Bilbo Baggins ventures out of his hobbit hole, an epic adventure awaits. Join Bilbo, the wizard Gandalf, and a dozen determined dwarves as they set out to take back their home from the evil dragon, Smaug. In partnership with Havoc Movement Company, Synchronicity Theatre’s production re-imagines J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic masterpiece with five actors, acrobatics, and exciting fight scenes – all with a decidedly steampunk twist. Perfect for young and old adventurers alike, The Hobbitspins a tale of how with a little courage, even the smallest creatures can become heroes.March 6 – 29, 2020
Wayfinding
A New Play by Whitney Rowland
Directed by Rachel May

Show Times:

Wednesday – Saturday at 8 p.m.

Sunday at 5 p.m.

Special Performances:

Preview Performance | Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 8 p.m.

Pay-What-You-Can Industry Night | Monday, Mach 23, 2020 at 8 p.m.

Inside Scoop | Sunday, March 15, 2020 after 5 p.m. Matinee

Every Wednesday | Pay-What-You-Can at the Door

All Fridays (except Opening Night) | Free Drink Friday

Everyone in Jane’s life dies, and she’s starting to think it’s because of her. Harrison is flaky, indecisive, and unable to make the biggest commitment of his life. When Jane and Harrison’s paths intertwine, they embark on a journey that seals their fates. Wayfinding, a stunning new play by Whitney Rowland, is an unexpected, magical experience that explores what it means to love, lose, and find your place in the universe.
June 5 – 28, 2020
The Bluest Eye
By Toni Morrison
Adapted by Lydia R. Diamond
Directed by Tinashe Kajese-Bolden

Show Times:

Wednesday – Saturday at 8 p.m.

Sunday at 5 p.m.

Special Performances:

Preview Performance | Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 8 p.m.

Pay-What-You-Can Industry Night | Monday, June 22, 2020 at 8 p.m.

Inside Scoop | Sunday, June 14, 2020 after 5 p.m. Matinee

Every Wednesday | Pay-What-You-Can at the Door

All Fridays (except Opening Night) | Free Drink Friday

Join us in honoring Nobel Prize-winner Toni Morrison in Synchronicity Theatre’s production of The Bluest Eye. Adapted for the stage by Lydia R. Diamond, this is the powerful story of Pecola Breedlove, an African-American girl who believes that all the obstacles in her life could be overcome if she just had blue eyes. Gripping, thoughtful, and stunning, The Bluest Eyeoffers a poignant experience for audience members familiar and unfamiliar with this classic novel.  ABOUT SYNCHRONICITY THEATRE

Synchronicity Theatre produces smart, gutsy, bold theatre that sparks community connections, uplifts the voices of women and girls, forges long-term and effective community partnerships, and develops new work. Synchronicity reaches nearly 14,000 patrons a year through its season of plays for adults (Bold Voices) and families (Family Series); community outreach; and educational programming, including Playmaking for Kids (PFK) and the award-winning Playmaking for Girls (PFG). An intimate theatre in the heart of midtown at Peachtree Pointe became Synchronicity’s home for its main stage productions in the summer of 2014. The theatre also serves as a rental venue for independent film, dance, theatre and other projects. The Company recently opened the Synchronicity Annex, a new office, classes, events and rehearsal space in Piedmont Heights, Atlanta.