Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ

GTA spring season starts with 'Our Town'

February 2, 2022
Gainesville Theatre Alliance's spring 2022 season starts with 'Our Town', which will be performed from Feb. 11-19.

Article By: Denise Ray

The (GTA) will begin its spring performances with "Our Town" Feb. 11-19 in the Ed Cabell Theatre on the University of North Georgia's (Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ) Gainesville Campus.

Written by Thornton Wilder, "Our Town" presents the small town of Grover's Corners in three acts: "Daily Life," "Love and Marriage" and "Death and Eternity." Narrated by a stage manager and performed with minimal props and sets, this beloved meta-play depicts the simple daily lives of the Webb and Gibbs families.

Jayme McGhan, GTA artistic director, described the play as "the quintessential American play that reminds us, very gently, to slow down and enjoy the individual moments that make up our lives — lest they should pass us by completely." 

GTA is a one-of-a-kind, nationally-recognized collaboration between Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ and Brenau University. Utilizing hands-on, individualized training while emphasizing ensemble and collaboration between programs, GTA boasts a production program rivaling the largest theater schools in the country.

The silence is difficult. It's frightening, it's uncomfortable, and it's revealing of truths that we need to wrestle with.

Zechariah Pierce

Associate professor of theater at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ

When crafting his director's notes Zechariah Pierce, associate professor of theater at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ, noted the words of Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell from "Woman, Behold Your Son": "We are all thirsting to be seen. When we are seen in our beauty, gifts and goodness by another person, it has life-giving power and often gives us the courage and confidence to fulfill a potential we did not see in ourselves."

Pierce said that the quote sums up the importance of the play, even decades later when we interact with humans via screens and use technology to lessen the discomfort of silence.

"The silence is difficult. It's frightening, it's uncomfortable, and it's revealing of truths that we need to wrestle with," Pierce said. "But it's in these moments where we can truly allow our mind to contemplate the things that are most important:  the eternal, the meaningful, the intimately personal."

From Feb. 24-27, GTA will present a New Works Festival, which introduces audiences to the next generation of stories for the American theater. There will be staged readings of two plays, a musical and student plays. It, too, will be at the Ed Cabell Theatre and is free to the public. 

"The Secret Garden," the enchanting, Tony Award-winning musical based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel, will be performed April 8-16 at the Hosch Theater on Brenau University's campus at 429 Academy St. NE in Gainesville, Georgia. With music and lyrics by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon, the performance tells the compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal. It is recommended for all ages.

Tickets are on sale through the theater box office at 678-717-3624 and on the .


Programs teach language, culture to students

Programs teach language, culture to students

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ is holding Summer Language Institutes in Chinese, Korean and Russian, providing training in both language and culture.
Students, faculty present at psychology conference

Students, faculty present at psychology conference

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ students and faculty presented their research at the annual Southeastern Psychology Association (SEPA) conference in Atlanta in April.
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's arts strategy hits the road

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's arts strategy hits the road

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ visited a variety of businesses and nonprofits during the June 2-4 Nighthawk Impact Tour, which focused on the strategic big bet to 'accelerate the fine arts and entertainment.'
Students excel in Japanese Speech Contest

Students excel in Japanese Speech Contest

Six of the 10 Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ students who competed won awards in the Georgia Japanese Speech Contest at Alpharetta City Library.