Out on Film, Storytelling & Les Misérables | The ATL Arts Collective

Featured contributor Katina Pappas DeLuca joins us to talk Atlanta storytelling, while Out on Film director Jim Farmer previews their festival’s biggest edition yet. Plus, Les Misérables, a new live storytelling-and-music experience, and ArtsATL’s Best Bets for the week. 

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Katina Pappas DeLuca & Atlanta Storytelling

Our featured contributor is Atlanta storyteller Katina Pappas DeLuca. She is the Producer of The Moth Atlanta, the Producer and Host of Atlanta Bushwick Bookclub (a literature-inspired performance series), and the co-host of Kodac Harrison’s Last Thursdays of Words and Song (at Wild Heaven in Avondale). She and Kim talk about finding the courage to tell personal stories onstage, and the creative community that grows around live storytelling.

For Beats, Bites & Sites, Katina sends us to Eddie’s Attic in Decatur for performances, Talat Market in Summerhill for Thai-inspired cuisine and Georgia ingredients, and Akazi Gallery in the Edgewood Arts District for contemporary African art.

Shuler Hensley directs ‘Les Misérables’ at City Springs

ArtsATL theater correspondent Sally Fuller dives into City Springs Theatre Company's landmark production of Les Misérables, directed by Tony and Olivier Award winner Shuler Hensley. They discuss Shuler’s collaborative, actor-first directorial approach, and what it takes to bring Atlanta's first local production of this legendary musical in a decade to life.

Out on Film: The World We’re Making

Out on Film director Jim Farmer previews the 39th annual Out on Film Festival, one of the country’s oldest and most prominent LGBTQ+ film festivals and an Oscar-qualifying festival. This year’s theme, The World We’re Making, reflects a moment when artists respond to the world around them and push for change. The festival runs September 24 through October 4 at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, with its largest lineup yet: 155 films, including 10 world premieres.

The Songs That Shape Us

Katina introduces us to Atlanta Storytellers founder Josh Cuthbertson and his live storytelling-and-music experience, The Songs That Shape Us. At each show, storytellers share true personal stories connected to songs that have carried particular meaning in their lives. When the story ends, the Tabernacle Collective performs the song live, thus creating a new connection between the story, the music, and everyone in the room. The Songs That Shape Us is a quarterly residency at Eddie’s Attic, and the next show is October 6.

ArtsATL Best Bets

ArtsATL Executive Editor Shane Harrison rounds out the episode with a packed weekend of Atlanta arts and entertainment. Music fans have The Strokes, LCD Soundsystem, and Fontaines D.C. headlining the Shaky Knees Music Festival at Piedmont Park, while the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade returns to the Southwest Trail. Plus, Shane highlights the Atlanta Ballet’s season opener, August Wilson’s Fences at Theatrical Outfit, and Béla Fleck at Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Arts.

Looking to stay connected to the people, performances, exhibitions, and ideas shaping Atlanta’s creative community? The ATL Arts Collective brings you the stories behind the city’s culture every Wednesday.

Join us on social at @artsatlanta and @atlartscollective. 

Thank you to the CP Group and Downtown Atlanta Inc. for providing the ATL Arts Collective with a home at CTR Culture Studios.

Our theme music is K Michelle Dubois’ “Hit the Deck” from her album Astral Heart, courtesy of Wicked Superb Records. Jordan Owen composed all other original music in this episode. Set art by Gina Thompson.

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