There’s a lot of truth to the notion that a theatre can hold the mirror up to nature. At the same time, there’s a very wide range of definitions as to what exactly constitutes nature, and what the nature of a mirror might actually be. Some visions are intentionally skewed, and others seem straight-forward until a second act reveals that the audience has been watching a fun house. For all these wide ranges of vision, a truly local theatre would be one that can capture multiple points of view and perspectives.

That’s exactly what Atlanta’s Essential Theatre set out to do a decade ago, and the news these days is very good. The mission is far from accomplished however, even though their playwrights are magnificently accomplished. They’ve devoted themselves to presenting works that speak of a very local idea of human nature, one that is either reflective of Georgia, or addresses the South as a whole. Thanks to the specificity of their vision, they have produced a wide range of works that audiences from all over the globe can relate to.

It’s one of those beautiful contradictions that the personal becomes universal, but only does so through intense focus on the subjective nature of the reality being portrayed. At the Essential Theatre, they produce new works, well-known works that speak to local concerns, and also presents an annual festival of work by local and international artists.

Like most good adventures, these stories do take on a power that can capture the world community. Atlanta’s stories are rich and powerful enough to transcend the time and place and speak larger truths that humans have in common, but also reflect a very focused history that happened and is happening right here. The work has delighted local audiences for some time, and out of town visitors staying at Atlanta boutique hotels also find something here that speaks particularly to them. Theatre is alive and well in Atlanta.