Unexpected

Jewel New Catalyst Arts Atlanta group attracts theatre lovers

By Manning Harris

In Atlanta’s evergrowing theatre scene, sometimes unexpected jewels show up in unlikely places.

Such an experience occurred this spring at Colony Square at the Midtown Players Club, a hitherto unknown (to me) artists’ haven, gallery and makeshift intimate theatre.

I saw an astonishing, moving, funny twocharacter play called “Gruesome Playground

Emily Kleypas and Justin Walker in ‘Gruesome Playground

Injuries,” by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph. The play’s power, beauty, humor and aching humanity just about did me in. The play only ran for two weekends, and I am hereby starting a campaign to get this work back on the boards. And I want the actors, Emily Kleypas and Justin Walker, of whom I am now a confirmed fan, to play the parts. They were subtle and powerful and kept a childlike innocence. They were sublime, as was the direction by Rebekah Suellau.

The work was produced by a small, creative group of artists called Catalyst Arts Atlanta. Their mission statement: “We are a group of seven Atlanta-based artists who are passionate about creating provocative experiences that both challenge and connect audiences.” The founding members are Joel Coady, Barrett Doyle, Emily Kleypas, Liz Schad, Chelsea Steverson, Bennett Walton and A. Julian Verner.

In late July, Catalyst Arts will begin workshopping a new local play – the name of which was still under wraps at this writing. In the fall they’re going to explore “other artistic mediums.” I know – maddeningly nebulous. But now I’m hooked.

For more information, visit catalystartsatlanta.com.

Be sure to read Manning Harris’ theatre review at AtlantaINtownPaper.com.

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Visual Arts

Karen Schwartz: Making Sense: Visit HATHAWAY | Contemporary Gallery to see an exhibit of works by Karen Schwartz, who makes marks on or affixes variable elements on her surfaces, letting the materials lead each composition. Closes July 11. Free. hathawaygallery.com

Mammoths and Mastodons: Journey back in time millions of years ago to explore caves, joust with mammoth tusks, touch mastodon teeth and feel mammoth fur in Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s summer exhibit. Open Daily. Free to $18. fernbankmuseum.org

One Voice: View a collection of Jack Simonetta’s recent mixed-media works that sometimes feature simple, distinct shapes and at other times take on complex layering patterns in an exhibit at pj&j gallery. Open Daily. Free. pbj-gallery.com

The Blue Man Group – Making Waves: This exhibit at The Children’s Museum of Atlanta – designed to bring together science and art – takes the whole family through a multi-sensory exploration of sound that provides an opportunity to play together while discovering the fun of music. Daily. $15.95. childrensmuseumatlanta.org

Walls Without Borders: Visit Atlanta Contemporary Art Center to see Paul Anthony Smith’s oil-on-canvas paintings and unique picotages on pigment print that explore the artist’s autobiography, as well as issues of identity and the African Diaspora. Closes July 30. Free. thecontemporary.org