The theater, from the Greek theatron meaning “a place to see or to observe,” offers a unique escape that other entertainment media cannot provide. Dionysus, the unpredictable Greek god of release and ecstasy, is believed to rule this domain. The delivery of pent-up emotion through monologue or song and dance pleases a fluctuant god like Dionysus.
Depictions of the god are queer in both gender and sexuality, with multiple pronouns used to refer to Dionysus in the works of ancient playwrights. Performers, able to transform as their mischievous deity is apt to do, welcome audiences into a new world for an evening. Free to explore identity in its endless variations, each stage production is its own event composed of unique choices made by both audience and performer. Surrendering to absurdity and under the comforting blanket of darkness, a spotlight begs to be filled and to be seen.
Atlanta-based and true to its name, Out Front Theatre Company encourages its audience members and performers to exist authentically and without fear of judgment. Founded in 2016 by Paul Conroy, Out Front is a pioneer organization in the Southeast as Georgia’s first and only LGBTQ theater company.
Launching its ninth season this October, Out Front continues to share queer stories that will make you laugh and cry at the same time.
“We see our similarities more than our differences in collective joy and collective humor,” Conroy said in an interview with Georgia Voice.
For some, gender-bending can only be seen or done on the stage, but it has always been a fundamental part of theater. Women were not allowed to participate in the performing arts until the 17th century, so men used an early style of drag to portray all genders.
The 2024–2025 season features five productions. Out Front will open the season with its largest cast of 32 members with eight-time Tony award winner “Hairspray” (October 24 through November 9), which follows plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad and her search for fame on local TV in 1960s Baltimore. After not performing in recent seasons, Conroy will be returning to the stage in drag as the matriarch of “The Corny Collins Show,” Velma Von Tussle.
The “Hairspray” show run bookends Election Day, which will be a momentous event in itself with cause to either grieve or breathe a sigh of relief.
“Now none of us know what’s going to happen at all, but whether people come to our space after the election as a way for them to celebrate or a way for them to mourn, then we’re going to be there,” Conroy said.
The holiday season will feature a spin on Agatha Christie’s murder mystery with “Murder on the Polar Express” (December 12 through 22), where “The World’s Foremost Drag Detective” Shirley Holmes boards the world’s most elegant train with her sidekick Dr. Jody Watley and 10 other passengers on their way to the North Pole, but a holiday assassin throws a peppermint-flavored wrench into their plans.
Ring in the new year with “At the Wedding” (January 30 through February 15), featuring a woman named Carlo, who guides the audience through her ex-girlfriend’s wedding (to a man) and talks to several friends and family members about love, life, and how to cope with both.
“Immediate Family” (March 13 through 29) follows the Bryant family reunion, taking a comedic turn when the middle son brings home his Swedish boyfriend and tosses him into a stew of family dysfunction.
Closing out the season with “Trick! the Musical” (May 1 through 17), a world-premiere production based on the 1999 cult classic film, both written by Jason Schafer, follows a one-night stand gone awry for two young gay men in New York City.
Aside from these show stopping productions, Out Front Theatre offers a safe space for the LGBTQ community with regular karaoke, drag, and comedy events.
“To me, a theater is a gathering place where people can hear and tell stories,” Conroy said. “The stories can be a play, it can be a drag show, it can be a trivia night, it can be whatever is going to bring people together so they can experience that connection. To me, that’s what theater is now.”
Out Front Theatre Company premieres its ninth season on Thursday, October 24 with Hairspray. Season tickets are available at Out Front Theatre at 999 Brady Ave NW, or you can visit outfronttheatre.com/season-tickets. For additional information, call (404) 448-2755 or visit outfronttheatre.com. Stay up to date by following @OutFrontTheatre on Instagram.