Instagram story viewer> @susanswavely> Posts

Susan Swavely

@susanswavely

2.1K

followers

2237

following

Atlanta-based actor & writer
Repped by @evolutiontalentnc
senior staff writer for @secret_atlanta 🍑

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

Words will never, ever, ever be enough to express how profoundly grateful I am to have been given the honor of the 2026 @essentialtheatrega Playwriting Award, and to work with such a stunning group of artists to bring ‘Helen of the West’ to life. This summer meant everything to me.

From the very bottom of my heart, thank you so much to everyone who made ‘Helen of the West’ possible! 💙🏜️🥂

Helen: @kughreen  Aphrodite: @wadsworth1453  Matthew Laus: @fredgalyean  Alexander Paris: @brumblebean  Claudia: @hannahrainebrumley  Effy Gene: @katstoneback  Musician/Mr. Anderson: @georgekotlerwallace

Playwright: Susan Swavely Director: Peter Hardy
Essential Managing Director: Jen Kimball Stage Manager: Lindsey McCall Assistant Stage Manager: Vasia London Production Manager: Cade Nabors Technical Directors: Lindsay Trammel, Eamon Glennon Set Designer: Adam Pagdon Lighting Designer: Harley Gould Sound Designer: Josh Campbell Costume Designer: KK Hawkins Assistant Costume Designer: Lauren Gabriel Props Designer: Victoria Nation Choreographer: Elaine Wadsworth Intimacy Coordinator: Rachel Frawley
Box Office Manager: Carter Bevis

2026 Award Sponsors: Joseph and Alisa Alonso

📸: Brody Young for @breathe__images taken in Atlanta, Georgia by @susanswavely

133

10

a month ago

You weren’t doomed to be queer; you get to be.

What a lovely, lovely, lovely play by @el.writes.things! I could not be more grateful to have been a part of telling this hilarious and heartbreaking story with such a talented team of artists!!

It was such a genuine joy to play Onyx in this incredible production🥹❤️ I miss it already!!

📸: @sheatlarts taken in Atlanta, Georgia by @susanswavely

134

7

a month ago

A special Essential Theatre moment 🥹✨ Susan Swavely, @susanswavely the newest 2026 winner of the Essential Theatre Playwriting Award, and Lauren Gunderson, @lalatellsastory the very first winner 🏆 in 2001 after a performance of Susan’s play HELEN OF THE WEST!

Only three more chances to see HELEN OF THE WEST before it closes this weekend at @7stagesatl . Winner of the 2026 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award, the play is a rich re-imagining of the fabled story of Helen of Troy, now seen as a mail-order bride in the American West.

🎟️ Get your tickets: https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/essentialtheatre/709 taken in 7 Stages by @susanswavely

90

4

2 months ago

178

9

2 months ago

Susan has had a busy year between SIRENS @atlfringefest plus HELEN OF THE WEST @essentialtheatrega and now as everyone’s favorite tarot reading sapphic Onyx in QUEERLY DEPARTED for @sheatlarts . Get your tix at bit.ly/qdtix taken in Atlanta, Georgia by @susanswavely

10

2

2 months ago

HEY! Wanna watch our film that just premiered at the @cobbinternationalfilmfestival ?? Now ya can! It’s on YouTube, linked in my bio!

‘Through Georgia’ will always have the most special place in my heart—the first short film I ever wrote!! And directed!! Along with some of my wonderfully amazing and talented friends.

Written & Directed by Susanswavely
Produced by @myles_jaye @cchrishaun @r_arrhythmic
Edited by @roblaltrello
Cinematography by @cinephotoatl
1st AD @cargaillegal
Sound Design by @reema.wav
Sound Mixer @laurenmarksbowman @daniel.kumi
Gaffer @damonselfs
Script Supervisor @lill.hei @lilagracelara
Media Manager, DIT, & Special Effects @owen_dillingham
Production Designer @intercreated
1st AC Paul Adebajo
Boom Op Nick Mitchell, Daniel Kumi
Grip Tejan Jalloh, Daniel Kumi
PA team @j.ed.lee, LilaGrace Lara, @jenajibreen
BTS @jordanpostalphotography @amishavnair
BTS Video Rob Laltrello
Music by @sunvalleygunclub @ep_music_

Poster Design by Jordan Postal and Rob Laltrello

And a special, special thank you to everyone who donated to make this film possible!!

Stay tuned for some upcoming film projects ;) taken in The Strand Theater - Marietta Square by @susanswavely

260

13

2 months ago

Watch this year’s Essential Theatre award-winning playwright Susan Swavely’s interview on ATL Live as she shares the story behind her new play, Helen of the West. 🎭✨ >>>

https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/video/2026/07/24/pen-playhouse-susan-swavely-talks-about-her-new-play-helen-west/?

Then come and experience this powerful new work on stage. Performance Dates & Times:

* Thursday, August 6 - 8:00 PM (Preview)
* Friday, August 7 - 8:00 PM (Opening Night)
* Saturday, August 8 - 8:00 PM
* Sunday, August 9 - 2:00 PM
* Monday, August 10 - 8:00 PM (Industry Night)
* Friday, August 14 - 8:00 PM
* Saturday, August 15 - 8:00 PM
* Sunday, August 16 - 2:00 PM
* Friday, August 21 - 8:00 PM
* Saturday, August 22 - 8:00 PM
* Sunday, August 23 - 2:00 PM

Get your tickets now at essentialtheatre.com

#Theatre #Playwriting #AtlantaArts #EssentialTheatre #HelenOfTheWest taken in 7 Stages by @susanswavely

297

26

2 months ago

My @artsatlanta interview with @essentialtheatrega playwright @susanswavely regarding #HelenoftheWest https://www.artsatl.org/essential-theatres-helen-of-the-west-reimagines-helen-of-troy-more-human-than-myth/ taken in 7 Stages by @susanswavely

112

2

2 months ago

This summer has been a theatre dream-come-true, and I am so incredibly thankful to @essentialtheatrega for taking a chance on my show, Helen of the West, and turning it into a magical, fully produced production.

I could not be more thrilled for people to see it in A WEEK AND A HALF (oh my god!!???) Come see it! The show runs August 7th-23rd at @7stagesatl in Little 5 Points! Ticket link is in my bio!

Helen of the West🏜️
written by me!
directed by Peter Hardy
and with a crazy talented cast and crew🤩

📸: @essentialtheatrega taken in Atlanta, Georgia by @susanswavely

94

7

2 months ago

HEY!! Two years ago (oh… my god.) my incredibly talented friends and I made Through Georgia, a short film about a girl on the cusp of the beginning of her life who gets unexpectedly pregnant. And the only person she has who can drive her to the abortion clinic? The guy she’s been hooking up with. In their 8 hour, cross-state roadtrip to the only available abortion clinic in the southeast, Amelia and Luke get to be human together, in all of the messy and sad and lovely and hopeful and happy realities of life.

AND NOW!! You can watch it!! Through Georgia will premiere at the @cobbinternationalfilmfestival in Marietta!

I came up with this story years ago, and I wrote it to be made by this lovely group of people, who I am endlessly thankful for. Come see it, along with TONS of other amazing films!! The ticket link is in my bio!

Written & Directed by @susanswavely
Produced by @myles_jaye @cchrishaun @r_arrhythmic
Edited by @roblaltrello
Cinematography by @cinephotoatl
1st AD @cargaillegal
Sound Design by @reema.wav
Sound Mixer @laurenmarksbowman @daniel.kumi
Gaffer @damonselfs
Script Supervisor @lill.hei @lilagracelara
Media Manager, DIT, & Special Effects @owen_dillingham
Production Designer @intercreated
1st AC Paul Adebajo
Boom Op Nick Mitchell, Daniel Kumi
Grip Tejan Jalloh, Daniel Kumi
PA team @j.ed.lee, LilaGrace Lara, @jenajibreen
BTS @jordanpostalphotography @amishavnair
BTS Video Rob Laltrello
Music by @sunvalleygunclub @ep_music_

Poster Design by Jordan Postal and Rob Laltrello

And a special thanks to EVERYONE who donated to the project, listened to me talk about it, helped edit the film, and supported our lovely cast and crew! SO excited for CIFF! taken in Atlanta, Georgia by @susanswavely

142

12

2 months ago

Announcing the cast of the world premiere of “Queerly Departed,” part of @sheatlarts summer festival at 7 Stages this August! taken in Atlanta, Georgia by @susanswavely

231

7

3 months ago

This Sunday, join us 🎭✨🥂

Meet our 2026 award winning Playwright: Susan Swavely
@susanswavely 🖊️

From 4–6pm at Manuel’s Tavern @manuels_tavern for an exciting afternoon of drinks, conversation, and community as we celebrate our 2026 award-winning playwright.

🎉 🎉 🎉 🍻 taken in Manuel's Tavern by @susanswavely

171

16

4 months ago