New Play Debuts at The Art Place

"Swimming with Jellyfish," a new play by Cobb teacher, playwright and actor Katie Grant-Shalin, will have its theatrical debut in August at in East Cobb.

The play explores the lives of the Hollowells, the picture of a perfect suburban family -- on the outside. Inside the house, they are forced to confront each other's dirty little secrets and grapple with the question: How far will you go to keep your family from falling apart?

The performances will take place Thursday, Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m., Friday Aug. 3 and Saturday Aug. 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Aug. 5 at 2 p.m.

Grant-Shalin is on the Acting Faculty of the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts (CCCEPA) at Pebblebrook High School. She draws her inspiration from her daily life.

“I have always wondered about the Southern suburban moms I encounter who seem to have the perfect children, the perfect Christmas card, the right dish at every pot-luck. They make it seem so easy. I always wished I could be a fly on the wall inside their homes to see what it takes to maintain that exterior perfection. This play does just that."

The production joins Grant-Shalin with her Pebblebrook colleague Robert Adams, head of the school’s theater department. Both Adams and Grant-Shalin are classically trained actors with extensive professional experience. Adams, an Ovation award winner and several- time Shuler Award nominee, is well known in the community as a teacher and a director.

Tickets for all performances are $11.00 general admission. Seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at stubmatic.