The month of July brings big things for the Georgia Fine Arts Academy. With a month-long residency covering topics from creative writing to theater and film studies, the academy will host a lengthy schedule of over two dozen events at the nonprofit gallery ATHICA. The GFAA was founded in 1980 by William E. Bray and is currently led by Creative Director Joy Ovington, an Alabama School of Fine Arts graduate, performer and teacher recognized especially for her extensive work in all aspects of technical theater, film and arts administration. The GFAA’s board president, Bowen Craig, is also the editorial director of Bilbo Books Publishing in Athens. Craig wrote his first novel at the age of 12 years old to be followed by the publication of two more novels, a teaching career and contributions to newspapers, magazines, blogs, theatrical productions and films. They have both worked to organize the events at ATHICA this year. The residency kicked off with a weekly Tuesday night film seminar with filmmaker Bill Cody (Athens, GA: Inside/Out) called “The Rise of Documentary Filmmaking from the 1960s to the Present Day” that will continue with Two-Headed Cow on July 18 and clips from Jacksonville’s Deadly Gang War on July 25. Presentations and workshops include “Dressing for the Stage vs. Historical Accuracy” (July 12), beginning (July 15) and advanced (July 16) on-camera acting techniques, playwriting (July 17–18) and podcasting (July 22). Special performances include a children’s showcase called “Musical Theatre & Movement” (July 13), a staged reading of a new play by John P. Bray (July 19), staged readings of scenes and short plays by playwriting workshop students (July 20), “A Tea Dance for Artists of a Certain Age” (July 23), a staged reading of a new play by Bowen Craig (July 26) and “An Indie Film-lovers Happening” (July 28). See the full list below.
Wednesday, July 12, 2023: Movement Workshop for Kids, Day 3
“Musical Theatre & Movement” with Eva Elarbee
10:30 am to 11:30 am (ages 5-8)
1:30 pm to 2:30 pm (ages 9-12)
FREE for selected participants via Application
Wednesday, July 12, 2023, 7 pm: Theatrical Costuming Presentation
“Dressing for the Stage vs. Historical Accuracy” with Eva Elarbee
FREE Refreshments available; donations appreciated.
Thursday, July 13, 2023, 6 pm: Movement Workshop for Kids, Evening Showcase
“Musical Theatre & Movement” with Eva Elarbee – Day 4, an evening showcase
FREE and Open to the Public
Saturday, July 15, 2023, 2 pm – 5 pm: Beginning On-Camera Acting Technique
with Kathleen Hogan
Class Fee: $50 Registration Strongly Encouraged
Sunday, July 16, 2023, 2 pm – 5 pm: Advanced On-Camera Acting Technique
with Kathleen Hogan
Class Fee: $50 Registration Strongly Encouraged
Monday, July 17, 2023, 2 pm – 5 pm: Playwriting Workshop, Day 1
With Vale Prosper
Class Fee for Both Days: $50 Registration Strongly Encouraged
Tuesday, July 18, 2023, 2 pm – 5 pm: Playwriting Workshop, Day 2
With Vale Prosper
Class Fee for Both Days: $50 Registration Strongly Encouraged
Tuesday, July 18, 2023, 7:30 pm: Tuesday Night Film Seminar
“The Rise of Documentary Filmmaking from the 1960s to the Present Day: two-headed cow, screened in its entirety with Bill Cody
FREE Rated: PG-13 Refreshments available; donations appreciated.
Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 7 pm: Plays in Progress Series
Staged Reading of St. John of Suburbia, a new play by John P. Bray
FREE Rated: PG-13 Refreshments available; donations appreciated.
Thursday, July 20, 2023, 7 pm: Playwriting Workshop, Showcase
Staged Readings of Scenes & Short Plays by Playwriting Workshop Students
FREE Rated: PG-13 Refreshments available; donations appreciated.
Saturday, July 22, 2023, 2 pm – 5 pm: Podcasting Workshop
“Telling Stories through Podcasting – Narration, Story Structure, and Equipment” with Aaron Strand
Class Fee: $40 Registration Strongly Encouraged
Sunday, July 23, 2023, 1 pm to 4 pm: Tea Dance
“A Tea Dance for Artists of a Certain Age”
Fellowship and networking, with a dance demonstration by Eva and Jarius Elarbee, light hors d’oeuvres, and beverages. $20 minimum donation requested for entry.
RSVP is encouraged at [email protected] | RSVP and more information.
Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 7:30 pm: Tuesday Night Film Seminar
“The Rise of Documentary Filmmaking from the 1960s to the Present Day: YouTube Documentarians” with Bill Cody
FREE Rated: PG-13 Refreshments available; donations appreciated.
Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 7 pm: Plays in Progress Series
Staged Reading of The Best Little Old Folks’ Home in Georgia,
a new play by Bowen Craig
FREE Rated: PG-13 Refreshments available; donations appreciated.
Friday, July 28, 2023, 7 pm: Indie Film-lovers Happening
“Filmmaking Fun & Games” with Fr3deR1cK Taylor of Tomorrow Pictures
FREE Rated: PG-13 Refreshments available; donations appreciated. Registration Strongly Encouraged.
Saturday, July 29, 2023, 1 pm: Film Lecture
“Hollywood: How Do You Guarantee Success?”: A Colloquy for Filmmakers
with Fr3deR1cK Taylor of Tomorrow Pictures
Class Fee: $10 Registration Strongly Encouraged
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