As we celebrate lots of new things on the Live Arts Theatre horizon, we are highlighting various people who make up the village we like to call the Live Arts Theatre family. This series will focus on the many actors, directors, techies, stage hands, members, and even our regular theatre-goers who make Live Arts Theatre great.
Our next profile is Daniel Guyton.
Please introduce yourself:
My name is Daniel Guyton. I am a playwright, a screenwriter, a director, an actor, a college professor, and wear several other hats. I am Chair of the Professional Division of the Georgia Theatre Conference, and Vice Chair of the Fayette County Public Arts Committee. I teach at Georgia Military College and at Georgia State University.
How long have you been involved in theatre?
I have been doing theatre since college, way back in the late 90’s.
What brought you to Live Arts?
My first event at Live Arts I believe was a staged reading of an August Wilson play Gem of the Ocean. Since then, I have been to several shows, and even had one of my plays staged as a reading there this past year.
What is your favorite Live Arts show that you’ve worked on/seen? And Why?
My favorite Live Arts show was Pamela Parker’s Second Samuel. It was such a funny and powerful play, and the fact that they could cram such a complicated set into that tiny space was very impressive.
What do you love about Live Arts?
I love that Live Arts really respects and appreciates artists. I love that they pay playwrights even for a staged reading. I love that they take on challenging work, even though it’s a small space, and in a fairly conservative part of Atlanta. I also love how welcoming they are to people from all over the community.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to this virus being over, and for us to get back to making great theatre – especially in small, intimate spaces like Live Arts where social distancing just isn’t practical.