INTERVIEW: Matt Torney, Theatrical Outfit

Theatrical Outfit, Atlanta's second-oldest professional theatre, announced at the end of August 2019 that the board of trustees had voted unanimously to name Matt Torney as its new Artistic Director. Torney assumed the role in July 2020 when Tom Key completed his 25th year at the helm of this downtown theatre.

Torney has led Theatrical Outfit over the last few months in returning audiences to the theatre, at first virtually, and when it's safe again, in-person! There's a LOT of programing coming up and Torney graciously granted me an interview to introduce him to wanderlust ATLANTA fans and followers and to share a bit about the upcoming programming.

Matt Torney, Artistic Director, Theatrical Outfit | Photo: Teddy Wolff

(NOTE: This post is a combination of my conversation with Matt Torney, personal comments, and press releases. Torney's responses are not verbatim, but are edited from a conversation I had with him. I have endeavored to be as accurate as possible. I can honestly say that I am incredibly excited about what he is and will bring to Theatrical Outfit, a personal favorite.)

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wanderlust ATLANTA: Share with us a little about where you're from and how you came to Atlanta.

Matt: I'm originally from Belfast, Ireland. I was there in the 1980s and '90s during the second half of troubles there...it was hard to make sense of it all and it sucked up all of your energy. As a young person with no interest in politics, art and theatre became my escape. My friends and I would go to plays—there was extraordinary theatre and writing—and do workshops. 

I moved to Dublin, Ireland, to study theatre and English literature. In 2006, I moved to New York City and studied at Columbia University for three years then returned home and was freelancing across the Atlantic. 

I found myself curious about theatre communities outside of New York City. I'd seen the they each have their own flavor, their own feeling, and I was struck by the D.C. audience. In search of a deep immersion in regional theatre, in 2015 I moved to Takoma Park, Maryland, on the northeast border of D.C. and became the Assistant Associate Director at Studio Theatre in northwest DC near Logan Circle. 

A few years later, wanting to lead a theatre led me to Atlanta. I'm excited about the new programming and upcoming season!

DOWNTOWN DIALOGUES – a four-part series (the first is Thursday, September 24, 2020) of digital readings each followed by a live video podcast hosted by arts journalist Gail O’Neill, writer for ArtsATL.org. Gail will talk to experts and special guests about the play and its themes, incorporating responses to questions from the audience. The four titles in the series take a deep dive into important topics of today from equality to education to the environment, and all will be brought to life by Atlanta’s finest actors and directors for you to engage with from the comfort of your own home.  

Tonight's Downtown Dialogues, titled "The Children" is by Lucy Kirkwood, directed by Susan V. Booth, and stars Ora Jones, Chris Kayser, and Tess Malis Kincaid. 

Click here to learn more about the Downtown Dialogues series and for tickets to the pre-show conversations with Torney!

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wanderlust ATLANTA: While Downtown Dialogues are free to theatre lovers, the pre-purchased VIP Pre-Show Package includes conversations with you. What will those entail.

Matt: We didn't want Theatrical Outfit patrons and other theatre lovers to have to pay for this initial unique content. We want to make it as accessible as possible. Viewers can for free watch Downtown Dialogue readings and enjoy the post-show live video podcast in which a panel of experts and special guests dive deep into the play and its themes hosted by Gail O’Neill. 

But we did opt to generate an additional experience. With a paid "ticket", or package(s), patrons are guaranteed a "seat" at the reading and post-discussion, plus they have access to a VIP pre-show discussion with me, half an hour before the reading begins. It'll be more of a conversation, less of a presentation, a way to open the door a little bit and have real conversations with patrons, supporters, and subscribers. I'm excited to meet the larger Atlanta theatre-going community.

In a press release Torney said, "We believe that theatre offers an essential place for dialogue in times of extreme disruption, and a space in which our community can celebrate, console, and most importantly, connect with one another. TO is committed to building programs that not only respond actively to the present crisis, but also serve as a long-term investment in our community,Atlanta artists, and our future as a Downtown theatre."

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wanderlust ATLANTA: Some arts venues in Atlanta, in recent years, have experienced a change in leadership that resulted in significant changes in the patron experience. What, if anything, are you planning to change?

Matt: During the search it was noted that Theatrical Outfit was looking for someone who was in alignment with the theatre's Vision, Mission, and Core Values. If writing my own, it would have been a very close match. 

My wife, who is a filmmaker and director, had her first feature shown at Plaza Theatre. Serendipitously, Tom Key was there, too! We discussed the civic responsibility of theatre, building community in real-time, the daily operations of the theatre, and how Theatrical Outfit can enhance Atlanta as a city. 

It's like we were already heading in the same direction, just getting there in different ways. Tom wanted someone to come in and continue, but things are rapidly changing, but we're adapting. Now we're focused on how we can be a home for Atlanta, how we can be a home for artists.

MADE IN ATLANTA - This is a new play program. Theatrical Outfit is taking advantage of the disruption to their mainstage season to devote more time and resources to developing new work. 

In a press release Torney said, “What better way to spend this time than focusing on the future, investing in great plays about Atlanta and helping to develop ideas and writers. Our hope is that we will find amazing plays to premiere in future seasons that will make a big impact both here in Atlanta and around the country.”

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wanderlust ATLANTA: Do you feel it is important to keep a theatre downtown?

Matt: Yes, absolutely. It's the beating heart of the city. We want to offer Atlanta a place that is open to everybody, particularly to be a theatre that creates conversations so that those conversations and ripple outward and create change. As downtown adapts and grows, it's important for theatre to be here. This theatre is going to show up and engage with Atlanta and the South as a whole. We aim to show that the South is a living, growing place, not a place stuck in time. We're looking at ways to invest in the community and to create conversations about who we are and who we can be.

THE WELCOME TABLE - Theatrical Outfit is honored to host a special one-night event to benefit organizations that serve the downtown homeless community. The Welcome Table will raise awareness of the most vulnerable among us, shining a light on how the homeless community has been impacted by COVID-19 while raising funds to support the wonderful organizations working to mitigate that impact. Watch for future announcement about this event.

UNEXPECTED PLAY FESTIVAL - In January, Theatrical Outfit is excited to once again partner with Working Title Playwrights (WTP) for the Unexpected Play Festival. This month-long festival celebrates brand new work by local playwrights, all being heard for the first time. Each digital reading will be immediately followed by a discussion led by WTP Artistic Director Amber Bradshaw in which the audience will offer essential feedback that will help the playwright take the work to the next level.

MAIN STAGE – Then in Spring 2021, Theatrical Outfit plans to return to the mainstage with three smart, authentic, and vital live productions. As previously announced, Tiny Beautiful Things, based on the book by Cheryl Strayed and adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, will take to the stage rearranging TO in a bold new way. The season will also see a powerful partnership with Theatre J in Washington DC on a co-production of Fires In The Mirror: Crown Heights, Brooklyn and Other Identities by Anna Deavere Smith. A third title will be announced shortly.

In a press release Torney said, “We had two requirements for our return to live performances - the plays had to be excellent, and the productions had to be safe for both the artists and the audiences. We are reworking every aspect of how we produce to factor in the latest safety guidelines and will be re-evaluating constantly as we get new information. With flexible ticketing, filmed performances, and a highly trained front of house staff, we are confident that we can offer excellent theatre that embraces the challenges of COVID-19 and offers both flexibility and security to our patrons.”

Matt: We're confident that we can find a way to return to the theatre safely, while incorporating some digital alternatives. We're listening to medical experts, listening to the City, and we're taking our time to do it right. We're doing this in alignment with our Core Values and we're excited to start some new amazing conversations!

Travis: You may recall that I've lived in Atlanta twice. The first time for 15 years, then 9 in D.C., and I've been back for 10 years. While in D.C., I attended shows at Studio Theatre many, many times, AND my former boss when I was at Intelsat is on the Board of Trustees at Studio Theatre. Don't you love small world stories?!

"Nunsense" is Habit Forming

Marietta Theatre Company has opened their second season with the heavenly hilarious musical "Nunsense", on stage through Saturday, September 1. There are only a few performances with tickets still available. Get yours now!

Okay, okay...my title, "Nunsense is Habit Forming" is hardly original, but clever is clever. And that's not sinful. What is sinful is not laughing your ass off while watching this brilliantly delightful musical.

"Nunsense" | Marietta Theatre Company

Here's the premise of the second longest running Off-Broadway musical comedy...

"Five of the 19 surviving Little Sisters of Hoboken, a one-time missionary order that ran a leper colony on an island south of France, discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, accidentally killed the other fifty-two residents of the convent with her tainted vichyssoise while they were off playing bingo with a group of Maryknolls. However they forgot about four of the nuns and need additional funds for a proper burial! With the deceased nuns on ice in the deep freeze, they decide to stage a variety show in the Mount Saint Helen’s School auditorium to raise the necessary amount." 

- Marietta Theatre Company

The five actresses in Marietta Theatre Company's production are indeed a sisterhood. They're wonderfully synchronous and harmonize brilliantly. 

My personal favorite is Sister Mary Amnesia (Sophia Decker), a Georgia native (which I didn't know before deciding she's my favorite). Sophia is a huge fan of tap dancing, which the show has! She's also a puppeteer! 

The show also has ballet, danced by Sister Mary Leo (Megan Wartell), who wants to be the worlds first nun ballerina. Told you it's funny! I asked Megan if she was classically trained in ballet. She didn't break character. She totally answered as Sister Mary Leo, reiterating that she wants to be the world's first nun ballerina.

“What better way to open our second season than with a production that will have audiences laughing hysterically?” said Blaine Clotfelter, president and co-founder of Marietta Theatre Company. “As an emerging theater company in Atlanta’s bustling arts scene, we are honored and humbled to have received nearly 20 Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre Award nominations for our inaugural season – more than any other theater in the region - and hope this show will set the tone for continued momentum in the year ahead.”

"Nunsense" | Marietta Theatre Company

Thank you to BRAVE PR for the tickets and for marketing such a fun show! I've worked with BRAVE PR for a number of years and they've consistently been wonderful and consistently represent their clients in the brightest limelight. 

See "Nunsense" at Marietta Theatre Company now through Saturday, September 1. A lot of shows are sold out, so DO NOT WAIT!

With such an awesome season as this, consider purchasing a season subscription and save 20 percent, equivalent to the price of a single show, to enjoy all five shows in Marietta Theatre Company's 2018-2019 season, including "Nunsense", "The Toxic Avenger", "I Love You Because", "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" and "Altar Boyz".

I saw The Toxic Avenger five times at another theatre...LOVE this show! And I saw Altar Boyz at a theatre in Bethesda, MD...another fantastic show! Can hardly wait to see what Marietta Theatre Company does with them!!!

See you at the theatre!

INTERVIEW: Actor Jonathan Horne

The first time I met Jonathan Horne we played horseshoes. But that was another time and another place.

When I learned that there might be a possibility of interviewing one of the actors in Freed Spirits, the now-showing world-premiere at Horizon Theatre, I immediately thought of Jonathan. I'd seen him act before and and was genuinely impressed. And he's also brilliant in Freed Spirits. 

Jonathan graciously agreed to an interview and I found myself blown away by his insightful answers to my questions. He's humble, articulate, and totally loves his craft. There's a considerably interesting and complex human being underneath his meek demeanor...

Jonathan Horne (Photo courtesy Jonathan Horne)

wanderlust ATLANTA: Where are you from? Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?

Jonathan: I'm originally from Asheville, North Carolina, but my family moved to Atlanta when I was eight; I'm a transplant, but consider myself a "naturalized" Atlantaen. I live in Smyrna with my wife, Laura!

wanderlust ATLANTA: When did you first begin acting? Was it purposefully or accidentally?

Jonathan: I was forced into it, actually. I had to participate in a school system-wide "oratorical recital" in sixth grade. My fear of being in front of people was bested by my fear of getting a bad grade. 

My dad suggested doing the "St. Crispin's Day" speech from Shakespeare's Henry V—the argument that students can't understand Shakespeare is bunk, by the way—and my mom directed me. 

I had a real "Aha!" moment while doing the speech. Henry's bravery became mine and I felt the awkward sixth grader with a wooden sword and homemade tunic fade away. I went to a small Christian high school, so I always kept getting thrown into productions when kids dropped out due to grades or sports, and it wasn't until I played Hamlet my senior year that I knew this was what I had to do with my life. 

wanderlust ATLANTA: What was the catalyst that led you to a career on stage?

Jonathan: I had been teaching English and theatre for three years after college in the hopes that I could still be tangentially connected to acting while making "real people money". I was completely miserable. I finally just reached a point where my desire to act trumped any desire to "stick it out." I saved up money for a year to help subsidize my year long apprenticeship with the Shakespeare Tavern and have been incredibly fortunate to be working fairly steadily ever since!

wanderlust ATLANTA: What's been the biggest "Wow!" moment of your acting career?

Jonathan: By far it has to be playing Joseph (John) Merrick in 'The Elephant Man' at Georgia Ensemble Theatre. It was the most physically, spiritually, and emotionally demanding, as well as transformative, experience of my career and will be incredibly difficult to top—though I can assure you it won't stop me from trying! 

There are so many things that can go wrong with a show, so when everything just gels in a transcendent way, you can't help but go "Wow!" The show really helped me break into the larger Atlanta theatre community, for which I will always be thankful! 

wanderlust ATLANTA: What have you enjoyed most about working on your current project, "Freed Spirits" at Horizon Theatre?

Jonathan: The ensemble! This cast became close knit stupidly fast. They are such an amazingly giving group of actors and we all mesh with each other so organically! Sometimes the fun you see on stage is pure acting, this show is mostly real fun crafted into a story!

wanderlust ATLANTA: "Freed Spirits" is your Horizon Theatre debut. What have you enjoyed most about the experience so far?

Jonathan: I was brought on to read my character—Byron—for a twenty-minute presentation at the Decatur Book Festival three years ago. Lisa Adler kept bringing me back for more workshops and readings, so I was fortunate enough to see and be a part of the show and character's evolution over the past three years! 

Lisa has also been incredibly gracious and kind to me, especially bringing me on when she had never worked with me before! I also have tried to make it a point this year to branch out and work at new—for me—theatres; so I'm thrilled to get to work with new people, directors, designers, etc.! 

wanderlust ATLANTA: Are there any similarities between you and Byron White, your "Freed Spirits" character?

Jonathan: As Daryl kept tweaking the script, Byron and I became closer to the same person. I had the opportunity to keep jumping into this world over the period of three years as the play was developing, and each new draft felt eerily closer to reality—early in the process, I was dating my future wife who I had mercilessly pestered to go out with me ala Byron.

I have two amazing parents and an amazing wife, but that's about where the differences end. I may or may not have just pulled clothes out of my car for the promotional photoshoot...

wanderlust ATLANTA: Horizon Theatre has a long tradition of inviting theatre-goers to meet and speak with actors after the show. What's your personal philosophy for the most rewarding actor/theatre enthusiast interaction?

Jonathan: Oh man, as an introvert this is always difficult. Honestly, I think the adage "they're more scared of you than you are of them" applies to a lot of us! Whenever I see a show, I always try to say something specific I enjoyed—a particular scene that was emotionally impactful, the way the actor dealt with a difficult scene, etc.—something that shows I was engaged and appreciative of the work that went into that evening. 

wanderlust ATLANTA: What's a show or project that you're working on that we'll see in the near future?

Jonathan: I'm getting the chance to live out one of my longest running theatrical dreams by playing John Proctor in 'The Crucible' at Actor's Express. I also recently got to work with Dan Bush (of Atlanta classic 'The Signal' fame) as the lead in an upcoming episode of 'Your Worst Nightmare' which will air sometime in November! 

wanderlust ATLANTA: Where do you hope your acting career will eventually lead?

Jonathan: I really want to stay in Atlanta. I'd definitely love to work in Los Angeles or New York, but I really hope to be a part of helping make Atlanta a world-class artistic city. Honestly, If I can continue to make a living acting; I'll be content. 

wanderlust ATLANTA: What advice would you give to aspiring actors, young or well-seasoned, wanting to act for the first time? 

Jonathan: There's no reason not to go for it! As far as theatre is concerned, there are several really great community theatres in Atlanta, as well as a vibrant independent film market here with tons of opportunities for aspiring actors! 

You don't have to be a "professional" to be professional though. Whether your goal is to act for the fun of it, or as a career, take it seriously. Also, always challenge yourself; you won't grow if you're comfortable.

wanderlust ATLANTA: What do you see as the greatest challenge AND the greatest success for the Atlanta acting community?

Jonathan: I think Atlanta is still finding its voice. We have so much opportunity and talent as an artistic community as well as a lot of national attention on us because of all the film and television being produced here. I want to see Atlanta actors/writers/directors become as well-known as our city.

Our biggest obstacle to that is that we have to fight the perception, sometimes earned, that we're unprepared and untrained, and a lot of people are helping to combat that. Drama Inc. in particular is a real force for training and community building.

Theatrically speaking, it's fantastic seeing, and now being a part of, all these newly produced plays that really speak to our unique culture. Our local playwrights are killing it! 

wanderlust ATLANTA: If you could act with any three actors, local or international, living or not, who would they be and why? 

Jonathan: I'm going to choose young Orson Welles, Gary Oldman, and Liv Ullmann. I have absolutely no idea what the show would be about, but I don't think it would matter. 

Welles because he was a visionary of startling proportions and his acting always feels so thoroughly ahead of its time. Oldman because I think he is the greatest living actor. Ullmann because her face contains universes of experience in the simplest of expressions...plus she could probably get Ingmar Bergman to direct us.  

wanderlust ATLANTA: I see "Soli Deo Gloria!" on your website and in playbill bios. Why is this important to you?

Jonathan: It's a constant reminder of why I do this, and whom I'm doing it for. Not every acting opportunity is going to be "missional," but when you get those opportunities to be a vessel for a larger truth, you pray that your work transcends the theatre. 

Tom Waits (and Jimmy Stewart in Harvey) said, "no one ever brings anything small into a bar." I think it's also true for theatre...you never know what the pain, doubt, or fears of someone might be when they come to see a show. 

It's casting a wide net, but sometimes you can touch someone's life in a spiritual way and help them on "the search", as Walker Percy called it. Also, it keeps me from believing both extreme ditches of "you're the greatest" and "you're rubbish." 

wanderlust ATLANTA: Is there anything else you’d like to share with my readers/your fans?

Jonathan: Support Atlanta theatre! You can also visit my website for new and upcoming projects! 

Jonathan Horne Acting Reel from Jonathan Horne

Thank you, Jonathan, for the interview!

In case you were wondering about the horseshoes, Jonathan was in the Serenbe Playhouse production "Of Mice and Men". The contrast of Jonathan against the character he played was alone enough to convince me that he's a brilliant and wonderfully talented actor, and I look forward to following his career. I encourage you to, as well.

Readers, you can see Johnathan now in Freed Spirits at Horizon Theatre (on stage through Sunday, October 30, 2016) and follow his website and social media for other upcoming projects!