Harvest

Weekend of One-Acts

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Profile

Atlanta Stage Write Productions 9 x 9 '07 & '08
(ASWP was a playwright-produced effort that produced shows in 2007 and 2008. The shows were entitled
9 x 9: Nine Plays by Nine Playwrights.  In both years, nine playwrights worked as a team to finance and
produce the shows.  James Beck led both of the playwright-produced efforts. Onion Man Productions did
not produce these shows. However, OMP did provide promotional support for the 2008 shows.)

Chicago Arts and Entertainment Article
James
Beck
ASWP 07 First Draft reading with
Working Title Playwrights
New Growth (edited by Sarah Bowen)

In 2005 in Chicago, playwright, James Beck participated in a unique experience helping
create two playwright-produced evenings of ten short plays staged at Chicago Dramatists in
a show called, Back Porch Secrets.  The group of writers that produced the shows worked
under the name B.U.M.S. (Blatnoi Underground Music Society).  For James, as well as the
other playwrights involved, the evening opened their eyes to the real impact of a terrific
night of theater. The shows proved to be such a positive experience that it stayed with Beck
as he moved back to his hometown of Atlanta; so much so, that he led two similar
playwright-produced shows in Atlanta in 2007 and 2008. .

As well as a group of playwrights did in producing successful shows; it became clear that
sustainability depends on a stated sense of purpose, a vision and an organization.  Thus,
Onion Man Productions (OMP) began life in Georgia.  The purpose of the organization is
producing work that is grounded in good storytelling and construction, but also, writing
that explores the larger questions of life. The company strives to produce writers who are
passionate about their work, but also understand that meaningful work always reaches
beyond the artist’s singular perspective. The company also seeks ways to be a benefit to
the community and other art and charitable organizations.

To kick off the production efforts of the company, A Weekend of One-Act Plays, a
collection of five one-act plays from Atlanta and Chicago playwrights, will be staged.  The
plays include:  Bluethroat by David Fisher; Bobbie’s Book Club by Nick Boretz; Duck: Two
Breasts, Sauteed by David Kravitz; The Attendant by James Beck and Therapy by Raymond
Fast and Jackie Verdi.  These five short one-act plays range in story from an aging recluse,
alone in the desert, and his chance meeting with an ornithologist, to a highly charged
women’s book club meeting.  Also featured are plays that include stories about a very
special meal with a tasty bit of news, two people at a lonely information desk at a hospital,
and a painful physical therapy session involving the “ex.”

In keeping with its mission, OMP will donate $1 per ticket to the Community Involvement
Committee through Georgia’s Own Credit Union.  The program adopts families during the
holidays, supports an annual “Special Citizen’s Holiday Party” for mentally challenged kids
and adults and supports Children’s Health Care of Atlanta.  The committee does a great job
of serving and supporting our community.

A Weekend of One-Act Plays will be performed at the Norcross Cultural Arts and
Community Center located at 10 Britt Ave. NW Norcross, GA 30071.  The dates and show
times are as follows: January 15th and 16th at 8:00, January 17th at 7:30, January 18th at
3:00. Tickets are $15 (cash only).  Reservations are available by either emailing
jpbeck99@yahoo.com or calling 404-519-7591.

Onion Man Productions is a member of the Atlanta Coalition of Performing Arts (ACPA).
OMP is registered with the state of Georgia as a non-profit organization and is in the
process of filing for tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Service code. Donations to the organization are tax-deductible.