Next year, Essential Theatre celebrates its 25th year in existence by devoting its 2012 festival of new plays entirely to Georgia writers. As artistic director Peter Hardy explains, “The very first Essential production was in 1987 — two one acts performed at the Performance Gallery over a Halloween Weekend, starring Scott Higgs and Bill Murphey. We did maybe nine productions over the years, before starting the Festival (and incorporated) in 1999.” (FULL ARTICLE: Curt Holman, Creative Loafing Atlanta)