Tinderbox of Talent

Aug 26

Ava Davis at screening premiere at Plaza Theater in Atlanta Georgia — Photographer : Mark Morin

I was in a pretty big meeting about a month ago (possibly life-changing but this is entertainment so take everything with a grain of salt) but she asked me what shows I watched and I blanked. But eventually, I remembered enough things. And then I got to HACKS and The Bear, and I told her watching the final episode of season 2 of HACKS, and episode 7 of The Bear, I admired as a writer. I say as a writer because the actors did their jobs so wonderfully I could see what was written on page. The subtext. And part of what I’m admiring as well is good editing, and good directing, and great lighting, but the writing. My first mistress. Mister? We just don’t know anymore.

Wednesday night I was treated to a delightful table read of a screenplay by Madison Hatfield at RoleCall theater. In case you don’t know, Madison is brilliant. I mean, we did get to hear the stage directions, but still, I saw the words. And I felt the words. And I had a moment of writer’s joy/envy. It’s very similar to when I get the lighting for a picture just right and it’s capturign the moment like I want it to. One cinematographer I know says woof. I just have orgasms. But writing. Madison. Harriet the First : A Fat Period Piece.

Y’all. This script. This script had me both crying and cringing and wishing Eddie were there to hit pause or I could run out of the room (that’s just me and not being able to handle conflict.) But this script. The threads were woven perfectly. The dialogue. The personal flavor in the action and descriptions. The acting, my god, these performers. And Madison. As if I didn’t already have a huge talent crush on her, she goes and releases this.

When I tell you Atlanta is a tinderbox of talent waiting for ignition. When I tell you Atlanta talent deserves more than Bert Osborne or the lack of coverage on this town.

Madison, your script was sheer perfection. Every note. Every beat. Every descriptor. Every performance. The pacing, the way you created symmetry and symbolism and … I can’t think of another S word. But the message at the end. My god. The message.

When one writes a story about something, about something specific and from the kernel of a personal experience, but creates something universal that speaks to a wider audience - that’s magic. The change that the mother goes through. The transformation. The message of being unapologetically oneself. Of busting down doors and tearing them off their hinges and doing the impossible (sometimes six impossible things before breakfast). If you weren’t there these words mean little, but if you were my god you felt it.

Anyways, apparently, I have a reading on Sept. 14th, and I look at my own scripts in shame and wish they were as well constructed. That’s the perfectionist writer in me, though. But when i tell you this script was polished and ready to be made like tomorrow? Someone give her all the money right now.

But, I have a reading on Sept. 14th at RoleCall theater, and a post about my undying admiration and tears of joy at what Jono Mitchell is doing for the Atlanta film/performing community is coming, fret not. As is a post about a casting decision that’s been made for the stage. My script was the first script I ever wrote. It’s incredibly personal, and I’m not going to say why. But I do deal/struggle with the idea of parenthood and if it’s in the cards for me. And this was me finding a bit of resolution. Sept. 14th, at Rolecall Theater. 8 PM. And I’ve gotten some incredibly talented voices to read these parts: Jason Gonsalves, Lee Osorio, Jessica Craig, Brian Ashton Smith, Kate Guyton, and Vanessa Aranegui. With Fabrae Nicole as director and probably stage directions! And which I am not reading in but simply watching (I transitioned out of the role I originally wrote for myself.).

Tix are $5 ahead of time or $10 at the door (get them here- https://rolecall.tix.page/e/rolecall-indie-film-showcase)

And, “RoleCall Theater is an independent theater housed right off the Atlanta Belt Line at Ponce City Market. The theater exhibits short format plays, films, and live acts from premier stand up, improv, and sketch comedy performers in both our indoor & outdoor theater spaces.”

The Decision

LOGLINE: After an attempt at adoption, a Gay, HIV-positive couple decides to take an alternate route in an effort to start a family.

And remember, if you’ve got a film you’d like to showcase, go ahead and send it here: - https://filmfreeway.com/RoleCallIndieShowcase

avadavis

Ava Davis, , also known as the Duchess of Grant Park, is a trans actress, producer and writer living in Atlanta, Georgia. She is also an advocate for increasing trans and queer representation, especially that of black and other minorities. She founded her production company, Studio Vosges, in 2019 with the expressed purpose of telling the stories of queer and trans (GSM) black, brown, and beige people.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature, with a focus in art history, film, and creative writing, from the University of Georgia, and has made Atlanta her home, along with her partner, two standard poodles and one bengal cat.

She has acted in, written and produced several short films, including Feast, The Decision and the upcoming short film, Duchess of Grant Park, about a woman who claims the Grant Park neighborhood of Atlanta as her duchy. The short film had a budget of approximately $20,000; $5,800 of which was successfully crowdfunded.

Ava Davis’ stage credits include The Laramie Project, It’s A Generational Thing, and Locked. In addition, she has performed with the One Minute Play Fest, including a special performance in collaboration with the Queens Theater in New York City to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pride. She also performs sketch comedy and collaborates with Critical Crop Top.

http://www.theavadavis.com

Tinderbox of Talent

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