WARD / COUNCILMEMBER: Ward 3 / Councilmember Lindley
$ IMPACT: to be determined
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Approval of Secrets of Smyrna taking place on Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23, 2022 from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm with three 45-minute performances per night with street closings to include Memorial Place between Church Street and Atlanta Road with request to utilize the paver/steps area of the front of City Hall for check-in for each tour, making use of the outdoor power outlets at the City Hall location.
Ward 3 / Councilmember Lindley
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ISSUE AND BACKGROUND: After a successful premiere in October 2021, The Secrets of Smyrna returns to celebrate Smyrna’s 150th Birthday with an entertaining, historical street theatre tour of Smyrna’s most interesting places and the stories of some of Smyrna’s citizens of yesteryear. Atlanta Theatre-To-Go, a professional theatre company and non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, wrote the script for the 2021 performances and will make minor adjustments/updates for the 2022 performances. The Smyrna Arts Council will produce the project/event.
Smyrna Arts Council is dedicated to contributing to the quality of life in our community by promoting, nurturing, and supporting the arts in Smyrna. The Council offers a strong, independent voice for our vibrant cultural community by empowering, facilitating, and advocating for the arts - whether in our public schools, through local galleries and performance venues, or on our streets. For more information on the Smyrna Arts Council, visit https://smyrnaartscouncil.com/. For more information on Atlanta Theatre-To-Go, visit their website at www.atlantatheatretogo.com. They are the creators of Alpharetta’s historic street theatre tour “Restless in Resthaven” and “Secrets of Smyrna” that premiered in October 2021.
Contacts: Secrets of Smyrna Co-chairs: Joan M. Stuart (jmstuartgroup@gmail.com, 404-310-3832) and Becca Mccoy (actorbeccamccoy@gmail.com, 347-418-1732 - both board members of Smyrna Arts Council. Vanya Foote, President of Smyrna Arts Council (footev@gmail.com, 850-320-1023).
Event Dates and Times: Saturday and Sunday, October 22 & 23, 2022 at 3pm (see below for requested street closing of Memorial Place between Church Street and Atlanta Road). Also requesting reservation/use of the front of City Hall (and use of the electrical outlets) for check-in at the start of each tour. A final dress rehearsal for the actors (no audience) would occur on Thursday, October 20th, 2022.
Street Closures: Includes setup time and street open time(s) as well as your planned staffing to manage street closure(s) as well along with pedestrian/attendee safety plan. Requesting closure of Memorial Place between Church Street and Atlanta Road on Saturday and Sunday, October 22 & 23, 2022 beginning at 3:00 pm each day and ending at 10:30 pm each night. Smyrna Arts Council Board members will remove/set-up barriers. (See Walking Tour Map - included in attached pdf file).
Street Sales - No identified street sales at time of application
Alcohol/Sales - Controls: No alcohol sales for this event
Signage: Anticipating signage at the check-in area for the walking tour, which will be located at the Market Village Pavilion/City Hall area (no street closing in this area). We will have signs directing patrons to the parking lot behind City Hall. Will post “No Parking for Special Event” signs along Memorial Place and other directional signage as needed. Requesting permission to hang battery-operated lanterns along the cemetery fence for ambiance and safety.
Entertainment: Will have a sound system on a golf cart that will play background level period music while patrons are checking in and then travel along the tour to serve as a speaker to amplify the voices of the actors who will be wearing cordless microphones (radio frequency). The sound level will be just enough so that everyone on the tour can hear what the actors are saying. Professional lighting will be used in the cemetery for safety purposes and to ensure the sanctity of the gravesites. A generator will be placed on Memorial Place outside the cemetery and extension cords will be run to the lights positioned in the cemetery.
Cleanup & Recycling: Will cleanup, take out trash and recycling where light refreshments will be served at the end of each tour.
Police: Request permission to use golf cart on event tour path. Will encourage patrons to park in the lot behind City Hall and/or the parking lot owned by Smyrna First Baptist Church, adjacent to the cemetery. Some will likely park in the Market Village, especially if they are dining at the restaurants before or after the tours. Note: Each tour will have a maximum of 45 people (30 people preferred). Tickets can be purchased in advance or on-site. We will specify “Sold Out” when the max is reached.
Health Permits: No food vending requested.
Temporary Structures: Will have a folding table and 2-4 chairs at the check-in location (in front of City Hall). Will be using a professional lighting company to illuminate the cemetery, respecting the sanctity of the cemetery and ensuring the safety of patrons on the tour.
Advertising and Promotions: Smyrna Arts Council website and social media sites, Cobb Arts VIBE website and FB page, Atlanta Theatre-To-Go website and social media sites as well as email to their former patrons, press releases, local papers (Brightside), and postcards to be displayed by Market Village merchants.
RECOMMENDATION/REQUESTED ACTION: Approve the request by Smyrna Arts Council to hold the Secrets of Smyrna historical street theater event on October 22 and 23, 2022 as described.