Aris Theatre

03/18/2026

We end this year's Seachtain na Gaeilge with Lá Fhéile Pádraig or the Feast of Saint Patrick or as the world knows it - Saint Patrick's Day!

Patrick was a 5th century British Catholic who was kidnapped as a teenager and enslaved by Irish pirates for 6 years. After escaping, he returned to Britain, became a priest and later a cleric, and then returned to Ireland to spread Christianity. He became widely regarded as the "Apostle of Ireland" and later after his death, veneration, and sainthood, March 17th (the recorded date of his death) became established as Lá Fhéile Pádraig. The shamrock ☘️ became the symbol of Saint Patrick as it represented the Holy Trinity of Christianity.

Today is a religious and festive day. Since March 17th falls during Lent, the fasting and dietary restrictions of Lent are lifted just for today -- hence the Fhéile or "Feast."

Saint Patrick's Day is recognized as the most globally celebrated holiday that's exclusive to one culture. From parades to pubs and from green to Guinness, we hope you got to celebrate Lá Fhéile Pádraig in your own way.

Comment below with how you spent your Saint Patrick's Day today!

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Today's phrase: "Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit" [Law FAY-luh PAW-rig SO-nah dWIT]

Translation: "Happy Saint Patrick's Day to you!"

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Thank you so much for joining Arís Theatre in celebrating Seachtain na Gaeilge and learning more about Ireland and the Irish culture and history.

Slán and Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit!

03/16/2026

We are 2 days shy of Lá Fhéile Pádraig (St Patrick's Day) and the conclusion of this year's Seachtain na Gaeilge!

Today we discuss Brian Friel -- considered the most famous playwright in Irish history. Many of his works continue to be produced around the world to sold out audiences and mass appeal ... Arís alone has produced a few of his plays - our earliest Friel play was PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME!

Friel is widely regarded as the "Irish Chekhov" given their plays are similar in style, language, and story. Friel agreed and repurposed some Chekhov stories into one acts.

In 2019, Arís produced two of those one acts: the Vaudevillian farce THE BEAR and the emotionally draining YALTA GAME. Playing at the 7 Stages backstage, the double header received high praise from audiences and reviews from the AJC and Creative Loafing, amongst others.

Would you like to see Arís produce more Friel? Comment below with what you'd love to see!

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Today's phrase: Dia dhuit, is mise Owen." [DEE-ya gWIT EEss ME-shuh OH-when]

Translation: "Hello my name is Owen." (from Friel's play "Translations")

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Slán for now!

03/14/2026

Arís Theatre wishes you all a Happy Irish Week or SEACHTAIN NA GAEILGE SONA DUIT.

We continue our series with the discussion of the Críochdheighilt na hÉireann or the Partition of Ireland. Enacted in 1921 by the British in the aftermath of the Irish War of Independence, the Críochdheighilt divided Ireland into 2 sectarian nations: the Republic of Ireland (Catholic) and Northern Ireland (Protestant) ... There's no way a single Instagram post could remotely cover this topic in full so we encourage you to research this incredibly important issue in Irish history that's still topical to this day.

In 2024, Arís produced a staged reading of the powerful and emotional play THE GREEN AND THE BLUE by Laurence McKeown. Starring Atlanta legendary actors Charles Green and James Carey as soldiers stationed at the border on opposite sides, their characters start as sworn rivals but slowly become friends amidst the height of Críochdheighilt tensions.

Highly praised and extremely well received, Arís hopes to bring this story back to our stage soon. Leave a comment below if you were able to catch either this reading or the 2023 touring performance by Belfast's Kabosh Theatre at Emory University.

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Today's phrase: "Críochdheighilt na hÉireann" [KREE-ukh-yee-hilt nah hAIR-in]

Translation: The Partition of Ireland

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Slán for now!
 

02/26/2026

ARIS is holding auditions for "The Birthday Party" by Harold Pinter.

https://sites.google.com/view/birthdaypartyauditions/home

Arís Theatre will be holding non-union auditions for our upcoming production of Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party, directed by Rob Shaw-Smith.

Aris is committed to diversity and inclusion, and we welcome all ethnicities, backgrounds, and body types.

About the Play

In the setting of a rundown seaside boarding house, a little birthday party turns into a nightmare when two sinister strangers arrive unexpectedly.

Petey | 60s, Male-presenting. Dialect: English regional. Married to Meg. A quiet man, who wants no trouble.

Meg | 60s, Female-presenting. Dialect: English regional. Married to Petey, she runs the boarding house. Chatty and a fusspot, but not so smart.

Stanley | 30s, Male-presenting. Dialect: English regional. An erstwhile piano player, guest in the boarding house. Wants to keep to himself.

Lulu| 20s, Female-presenting. Dialect: English regional. Party girl, gregarious, attractive.

Goldberg | 50s, Male-presenting. Dialect: London, Cockney. A man on a job.

McCann | 30s, Male- or Female-presenting. Dialect: Irish. A man or woman on a job, Goldberg's associate.

About the Production

The Birthday Party will open on Friday, October 2, 2026 and close Sunday, October 11, 2026.

All performances will be at the 7 Stages BackStage located in Little 5 Points.

Rehearsals will start in late August. Exact location and schedule will be determined when the cast has been assembled. Most likely rehearsals will be Mondays-Thursdays 6-10pm and Sat-Sun 11-4pm.

Performances will be Thursday-Saturday 8pm and Sunday 2pm.

About the Audition

When: SATURDAY, March 21st, 2026 from 10am to 4pm
Where: TBA upon submission of headshot and resume

For more information, please visit our Audition site: https://sites.google.com/view/birthdaypartyauditions/home

We look forward to seeing you!

01/26/2026

Found!

The rediscovered portrait by Sir Henry Raeburn was found in an auction house following a house clearance last March.

01/24/2026

CANCELED: Arís Burns Night 2026 - https://mailchi.mp/90c02023cf8c/canceled-ars-burns-night-2026

01/23/2026

Dear Friends and Patrons: Due to inclement weather, our Burns Night 2026 has been cancelled.

Y'all stay safe and warm!

01/20/2026

Our Burns Night Tradition Continues! - https://mailchi.mp/5c039f1424fb/aris-september-18238874

12/31/2025

Happy New Year from Aris!