Although it's quite a drive from South Atlanta, I've always been a firm believer in traveling for good entertainment and quality education. After seeing a couple of shows at Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville (Gwinnett County), I say it's worth the drive. It helps that they have scheduled their events to make it easy for everyone - weekend matinee shows and summer camps that begin after morning rush hour and end before the evening drive gets too rough.
Aurora is committed to producing quality, professional theatre and offers entertainment that nurtures a love of theatre and develops a new generation of theatergoers.
Here's a peek at some of the theatre's upcoming programmings.
Native Gardens plants roots at Aurora Theatre, May 2 – June 2
Theatergoers invited to Lawrenceville for renowned humor on the mainstage
Native Gardens, a dazzling, light-hearted comedy staged to resonate with teens and young adults, is set to hit Aurora Theatre’s Mainstage from May 2 – June 2! Based in a historic Washington D.C. neighborhood, two couples who live next to each other battle for their backyards – each wanting a landscape completely different from the other. This comedic confection is one of the top ten most produced plays in the country, sure to have audiences laughing all the way home!
“Native Gardens is an uproarious comedy that sneaks up on you,” said Director Daniel Jáquez. “Before they can even realize it’s happening, audiences will find themselves identifying with the characters and their desire to create a home as well as the effort required to connect with neighbors who are not like them. As someone once said, ‘truths are better served with comedy.’ Karen Zacarias, with her wonderful sense of humor and gift to create lovable characters, has crafted a joyous comedy about planting native plants in a community known for its manicured gardens – instant neighbor dispute!”
The laugh-out-loud story tells the tale of The Butleys, a middle-aged white couple who spend most of their time perfecting their garden in hopes to relieve stress and win an award from the Potomac Horticultural Society. Next door the Del Valles, a Latinx couple in their early 30s expecting their first child, move in and want to create a native garden in their backyard. A desired fence remodel by the Del Valles sparks controversy over a mismarked property line that threatens to destroy Mr. Butley’s perfectly manicured competition garden. In this dazzling comedy, a war of taste, class, and entitlement just might push these two couples over the hedge!
A production of Aurora Theatre’s Peach State Signature Series, Native Gardens features a stunning cast list. Carolyn Cook, founder and producing artistic director for Atlanta’s French-language theater, Théâtre du Rêve, will star as Virginia Butley, with Bart Hansard returning to the Aurora stage as her husband, Frank Butley. Fedra Ramirez-Olivares as Tania Del Valle and Cristian Gonzales in the role of Pablo Del Valle complete the top-notch cast – all under the direction of Daniel Jáquez. The show is the work of Karen Zacarías, one of the most produced playwrights in the nation. Karen is the two-time recipient of the New Voices Award, as well as the National Latino Play Award and the 2010 Steinberg Citation for Best New Play, among others.
Native Gardens will play at Aurora Theatre May 2 – June 2, with discount matinees on Tuesday, May 14 and 21. Tickets are currently on sale; single tickets start at $20 and may be purchased online at bit.ly/ATNativeGardens or by calling the Box Office at 678-226-6222. For more information on this production or other programming, please visit auroratheatre.com.
Regular show times are as follows:
- Tuesday – Saturday at 8 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Aurora Theatre to shine this summer with 2019 camps
Children of all ages invited to keep brains sharp through educational theatrical fun!
Summer break is just around the corner and parents everywhere will soon be seeking engaging activities for kids during the hotter months! To help, Aurora Theatre Academy will once again offer a wide range of options for aspiring thespians with its collection of 2019 summer camps! With age-appropriate opportunities for kindergarteners through 12th graders – ranging from one to three weeks in length – there is sure to be an encore-inducing preference for everyone looking to have fun and learn. Students at Aurora Theatre’s summer camps can choose from a variety of musical and acting themes, including language learning, history and so much more!
Aurora Theatre Academy offers students the opportunity to rehearse and perform in a world-class facility and learn from teaching artists with professional theatrical experience. In addition to receiving all training needed to be a winner on the stage, students to these camps will build confidence, communication and life skills that will serve as a valuable foundation to their futures. To register and for more information, visit bit.ly/2019ATSummerCamp. Scholarships are available on a case-by-case basis.
For a full list of camps offered by Aurora Theatre, please visit auroratheatre.com/education. Due to popular demand, registration will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Shakespearean Takedown (Acting Camp, Grades 6-12)
June 24 – 28
10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuition $300
This week-long camp explores the craft of acting through various styles: Stanislavski, Shakespeare, stage combat, improvisation and more! The camp culminates with a showcase of Shakespeare’s best fight scenes in the Studio Theatre for friends and family to enjoy!
Heroes and Villains (Acting Camp, Grades K-5)
Grades 3-5: June 24 – 28, 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Grades K-2: July 15 – 19, 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuition $300
In this one-week camp, students will learn what it takes to put on a performance while instilling self-confidence and teambuilding. Full-day sessions will have kids creating sets, costumes, and props for the productions leading up to their final mainstage performances to loved ones at the end of the week!
Mejores Amigos Bilingual Camp (Acting Camp, Grades 1-5)
July 8 – 12
10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuition $300
This production class will provide students valuable stage experience while encouraging teamwork and collaboration among peers. In these full-day sessions, students will be active participants in character creation for these enriching productions of fairy tales from Hispanic culture presented to family and friends at the end of the week!
Children of Eden Experience (Musical Camp, Grades 6-12)
July 8 – 19
10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuition $500
In this two-week intensive, students will learn and perform hits from one of Broadway’s most prolific composers – Stephen Schwartz – who brought hits such as Pippin, Godspell and Wicked to the stage. The class will include special behind-the-scenes looks at Aurora’s Season 24 opener Children of Eden, as well as visits from the artists who are putting on the show!
For more information or to purchase tickets for events, call the Box Office at 678.226.6222 or visit www.auroratheatre.com.
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Macaroni Kid College Park East Point Morrow is a free hyper-local weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and activities for kids in College Park, East Point, Morrow, Union City, Forest Park, Hapeville, Jonesboro, Riverdale and the surrounding areas. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides, and more. We are your go-to-guide for kids activities in South Fulton County and some of Clayton County. For more articles like this delivered to your inbox once per week, please subscribe. If you have an extraordinary event that you would like to share in our community, you can submit it for free here.
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