GivingTuesday24 - Support "Made in Atlanta" at TO

Theatrical Outfit’s (TO’s) “Made in Atlanta” new work program invests in the creation of new plays, supports local playwrights, and shares the vibrant creativity of our community through readings, workshops, and commissions. It was born out of a desire to engage deeply with a sense of place in our work. We have been asking ourselves: What does it mean to be an Atlanta theatre? Who are our community and audience, and how can we tailor our mission of “starting the conversations that matter” to serve them more directly? So much programming in the American theatre is based around revivals of hit shows from other markets, but how can we interrupt this model, both in terms of the stories that we tell, and in the aesthetic approach to our work?

Developing new work has a vital role to play in this conversation, and by celebrating the unique artistic voice of our city, exploring untold narratives, and uplifting local artists, we can bring our community into the heart of our work. This spirit is very much at the core of our “Young John Lewis” commission, now four years in the making, and making its world premiere on our stage in June 2025. John Lewis was a congressman for our district in Atlanta for over 30 years - his office was literally around the corner from the theater. The way he embodied his values of moral courage and political action grounded in “beloved community” has re-invented the connection to the values of the civil rights movement under several administrations, and against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving city. To make a new musical celebrating this great man and his connection to our community, making sure that younger generations remember this vital and unfinished history, is both an artistically exciting project, and an urgent civic endeavor. Most importantly, John’s story directly explores the tension between violent and nonviolent action in the civil rights movement, asking questions about the possibilities of nonviolent revolution, the power of political action, and the physical cost of moral courage paid by so many people in his generation.

New work will also take center stage this season with a brand-new 2025 festival that honors the history of TO while looking ahead to the future of the artform – LAUNCHPAD: A “MADE IN ATLANTA” FESTIVAL. LAUNCHPAD will provide artists with micro-commissions to develop and produce brand-new, fully realized, live performance experiences. These pieces will be developed and workshopped and produced with minimal staging for maximum narrative impact. The program will support the artists as they develop the work for a tour or re-mount at other theatres, and will provide them with the resources to develop their skills in the role of producer.

We appreciate your consideration of supporting our new work programming as we seek to invest in the future of the American theatre and as we celebrate the rich cultural landscape we have right here in the heart of Atlanta.