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The sounds of electric saws cutting through wood, hammers pounding nails, and drills driving in screws can be heard from inside the scene shop on the University of North Georgia's (Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û) Gainesville Campus.

This noisy work is music to the ears of members of the Gainesville Theatre Alliance (GTA). It means theatrical performances will appear on the stage this academic year after nearly 18 months. Shows were canceled in spring 2020 and moved to a virtual venue for 2020-21 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our students and our faculty and staff are thrilled to be back in person," Jayme McGhan, artistic director of GTA and head of theater at Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û, said. "And I'm elated."

GTA is a one-of-a-kind, nationally recognized collaboration between Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û and Brenau University. Utilizing hands-on, individualized training while emphasizing ensemble and collaboration between programs, GTA boasts a production program rivaling the largest theater schools in the country.

McGhan said it was a "no-brainer" to resume in-person, on-stage performances this year. He said while the technical and design students built a set for film and digital media students at Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û, the acting students could not perform in front of an audience in 2020-21.

"You don't know if or where parts of a performance are funny, because no one is there to laugh," McGhan said. "An audience helps actors tighten a performance and gives them the thrill of theater."

Keri McClain, marketing manager for GTA, believes audiences are ready to return and watch live shows despite the transition to virtual last fall and spring.

"Online theater is not what we love about theater," she said. "We love being in the room because it feels different."

Theater enthusiasts and GTA patrons may purchase tickets to each of the eight shows three weeks before the opening date.

"We are not selling season tickets, because we still don't know what might happen this year," McClain said. GTA refunded season tickets to hundreds of patrons last year. "We are being cautious about this season but very optimistic."

That optimism is apparent in the .

"We decided not to do anything too heavy," McClain said. "We wanted to do productions that affirm humanity and overcome struggles."

This year's performances are:

• "Living Out" from Sept. 17-25 in Ed Cabell Theatre.
• "Murder on the Orient Express" from Oct. 15-23 in Ed Cabell Theatre.
• "9 to 5" from Nov. 12-19 in Ed Cabell Theatre.
• WonderQuest's "The Pirate Queen" from Feb. 3-12 in Pearce Auditorium.
• New Works Festival, including two staged readings and one night of student shorts, from Feb. 24-27 in the Ed Cabell Theatre.
• The Secret Garden from April 8-15 in Ed Cabell Theatre.

GTA will conduct extra cleaning for the performances and offer hand sanitizer in the lobby. Masks are not required for audience members but encouraged for all patrons, per CDC guidelines.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the .