Town & Gown Players introduces the premier production of Roshaunda Breeden’s production of Athens Vignettes: A Dialogue with the African American Community. The production is directed by Dr. Freda Scott Giles, Associate Professor of Theatre and the Institute for African American Studies at UGA. Playwright Roshaunda Breeden has taken interviews with Athens community members and crafted them into three powerful scenes that express views from the African American community in Athens. There is a great deal about the history of Athens and UGA that has not been comprehensively addressed, and the Athens community — particularly the African American community — generally sees itself as not being truly heard by UGA. 

The three powerful scenes cover Baldwin Hall burial site, the loss of Linnentown, and the often fraught relationship between the African American segment of the Athens area and the UGA community. After each scene, there will be an open dialogue with the audience. Town & Gown and Director Dr. Giles hopes that through this production the African American community will feel listened to and heard, leading to better communication, comprehension, and problem solving between the African-American community, Athens communities, and UGA. Additionally, Town & Gown hopes to forge new engagement from members of the Athens community as both audience members and participants in theatrical productions. “We are actively creating a more inclusive environment through community outreach and dialogue,” says Town & Gown President Nathan Altman.

For the safety of our community, Town & Gown requires all cast and crew members to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. All audience members attending in-person shows will be required to show proof of vaccination and wear a mask whenever inside the theater.  

Athens Vignettes is presented by T&G with performances held  October 15, 16, 22, & 23 at 8:00pm and October 17 and 24 at 2:00 pm at the Athens Community Theater (115 Grady Avenue, Athens, GA 30601). Tickets are $5 (Free for Season Flex Pass Holders) and can be purchased online at www.townandgownplayers.org. There will be no onsite ticket sales. The performance will also be offered as a streaming ticket available October 22 to 24.