Since 1999, the Essential Theatre has produced an annual Play Festival including a full production of at least one new play by a Georgia writer every year. In recent years, our emphasis has shifted to producing all new works by Georgia writers. Since our first Festival in 1999, we’ve premiered 37 new works by 32 different Georgia playwrights, all receiving productions of the highest artistic quality through Essential and many going on to receive future productions elsewhere in Atlanta and across the country.