2 plays respond to bullying at 7 Stages; 2 awards shows at Aurora Theatre

7 Stages is staging Sarah Gubbins’ “Fml: how Carson McCullers saved my life.”

Credit: hpousner

Credit: hpousner

7 Stages is staging Sarah Gubbins’ “Fml: how Carson McCullers saved my life.”

THEATER

Plays respond to bullying at 7 Stages

Starting this week, 7 Stages and Théâtre du Rêve will be presenting plays in repertory on the topical topic of bullying at 7 Stages’ Back Stage black box theater.

Playwright Sarah Gubbins.

Credit: hpousner

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Credit: hpousner

On Feb. 5, 7 Stages opens Sarah Gubbins’ “Fml: how Carson McCullers saved my life,” about a lesbian teen’s struggle to survive bullying and to embrace a teacher’s efforts to bring hope to a seemingly hopeless situation.

Starting Feb. 7, Théâtre du Rêve stages “Jane, le renard et moi” (“Jane, the Fox and Me”), an adaption of the graphic novel by Fanny Britt about a bullied young girl who seeks comfort in the novel “Jane Eyre” and from a special visit from a fox. Some performances of the family-friendly show, featuring projections of Isabelle Arsenault’s illustrations from the novel, will be presented in English, others in French.

“Fear and judgment of others creates abusive action, and, by responding with collaboration, connection and creativity, we are able to write a better tomorrow,” 7 Stages artistic director Heidi S. Howard said of the shows.

Both continue through Feb. 22 and offer extensive related programming, including:

  • Gubbins gives a talk following the 8 p.m. Feb. 6 performance of "Fml."
  • On Feb. 15, between the 2 p.m. performance of "Jane, the Fox and Me" and the 5 p.m. "Fml" show, there will be a panel discussion on bullying behavior.

"Fml": $22.50 advance, $25 door. 404-523-7647, www.7stages.org. "Jane": $5-$15. 404-875-3829, www.theatredureve.com. 1105 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta.

ARTS

Aurora Theatre hosts two awards shows

ArtWorks Gwinnett, a nonprofit that promotes Gwinnett County’s arts scene, will present its fourth annual Fusion Awards at 7 p.m. Feb. 2 at Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville. The 15 awards recognize contributions of artists, arts organizations, educators and corporate supporters.

Anthony Rodriguez.

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Credit: hpousner

Nominated in the Vision Award category, for instance, are Sherry Ingbritsen, president-artistic director of Duluth’s New Dawn Theater Company; Teresa Osborn, executive director of Duluth’s Hudgens Center for the Arts; and Aurora producing artistic director Anthony Rodriguez and associate producer

.

Ann-Carol Pence.

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Credit: hpousner

The ceremony will feature performances from Gwinnett artists and will be followed by a champagne and dessert reception. Tickets, $20: artworksgwinnett.org.

Aurora itself will stage the fifth annual Barbara Awards Gala, recognizing the best shows and performances from its 2013-14 season, at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23. The evening also will feature performances, food and the announcement of Aurora’s 20th anniversary season.

Tickets, $40, $75 couples: www.auroratheatre.com. 128 E. Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222.