P.O. Box 157
Pine Lake, GA 30072
404.499.8354

(from the April 2003 issue of The Studio, page S7)

LET'S GET PHYSICAL
Fly-By Theatre swoops into Atlanta
By Kathy Vogeltanz

   Fly-By Theatre has settled in Atlanta. Well, "settled" is probably the wrong word for a company that brings physical expression, new translations and creative risk to the theater experience.
   Two years ago Fly-By began as an informal group in Minneapolis, Minn., producing plays such as The Workroom by Jean-Claude Grumberg, Wedding on the Eiffel Tower by Jean Cocteau and The Lesson by Eugene Ionesco. After forming in 2001, the company moved to Atlanta in May of that year and five of the 12 original members followed. Fly-By's fresh approach is reflected in the company's vision - to present visually stunning theater where the actor's body and voice have equal measure to the written text. All the members of the company share that vision. The company just finished a production of Harold Pinter's Old Times at old Avondale Towne Cinema space, but will move from stage to stage for future production.
   "We offer poetry, not a novel," said Pam Joyce, artistic director and co-founder. "Our theater is about relationships of bodies, objects, architecture and language. We leave linear plots behind."
   Jill Jacques, the company's managing director and co-founder, is energized by the theater's direction. "Fly-By offers something different - something that will appeal to the average theatergoer, as well as those who don't normally venture to the theater," she said.
   Jacques, a native of Columbus, is a regional director with American Express Financial Advisors and has hands-on experience with theater operations and management, as well as general management skills.
   "Fly-By's type of theater made me realize that theater can be exciting and thought-provoking," Jacques said. "I found myself bored with most theater, feeling as though I should attend because it was the right thing to do. Being involved with Fly-By, I've been exposed to many types of performances where I'm fully engaged and walk away with a variety of emotions. I can relate the pieces to my own life, instead of being told what to feel."
   Joyce said she was motivated to create Fly-By because with so few companies producing physical theater, she'd have a hard time finding a job, or have to be on the road constantly. There was another incentive, too.
   "I wanted to build a company of actors that continues to work together, learn together and challenge each other," Joyce said. "That's a much more exciting environment to work in, as opposed to starting over with a brand new cast every show. The possibilities of creating an even more amazing production increase when the actors have worked together before."
   Jacques said having a full-time company of actors is an exciting way to build a community, as well as to explore more diverse methods of acting. "Because Fly-By is not fully reliant on the text of a play, it can draw a diverse set of actors and company members," she said. "Also, with our short, visually stunning shows, the audience has the time and energy to discuss the play afterward. You don't leave tired from a three-hour play that offers too many answers."
   Joyce said the theater's goal is to broaden Atlanta's cultural offerings and create dialog about theater. With shows running about an hour each, she said the audience is encouraged to linger after the show and talk about the play.
   "Our challenge is to help the community realize that theater isn't just 'good for you' like spinach; it can be surprising, interesting and stimulating," Joyce said. "Audience members sometimes feel the pressure to 'get it.' But we try to appeal to people on all levels: emotionally, intellectually and visually in hopes of taking away the pressure to "get it."
   Joyce grew up in Atlanta, and after earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Evansville, returned here to build up her directing resume with community theater, small off-night festivals and Atlanta's Barking Dog Theatre. She went on to get her master's degree in theater directing from the University of Minnesota.
   "During graduate school, my interest in directing moved toward the productions involving the dance and theater departments at the university," Joyce said. "When actors and dancers work together, the bar is constantly raised and the results are amazing."
   Aimee Schmidt, Fly-By's board secretary, said she is excited by Joyce's enthusiasm and vision for the theater. "She's reached out to dance companies, spoken word and performance artists, and writers. It's great to see this cross-discipline collaboration among artists."
   Originally from Mississippi, Schmidt is an independent folklorist and production coordinator with extensive experience both in state arts agencies and nonprofit arts organizations, including the Georgia Council for the Arts, the Smithsonian Institution and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
   Fly-By faces all the challenges of any new organization, including funding. But according to Schmidt, "We've had tremendous help from quite a few people. It's heartening to see that optimism in, what most consider a dreary time for the arts Fly-By offers something new to the Atlanta theater landscape. It's a different type of experience - for both the audience and the actors."

   Fly-By Theatre will hold a silent auction and fund-raiser called "A Gala in First Class" on Saturday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m. Also coming up are summer theater classes from June 2 to June 27; On The Fly, in partnership with Duende Dance Theater, June 30 - July 28; The Maids by Jean Genet, October 2 - 12 at 7 Stages in Little Five Points. Visit www.flybytheatre.org or call (404) 499-8354 for more information.