The Gainesville Theatre Alliance (GTA) has two plays set for the fall, one of which will take place at the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Gainesville Campus. GTA is a one-of-a-kind, nationally recognized collaboration between UNG and Brenau University. 

The two GTA shows are sure to be an exciting and beneficial opportunity for the students involved as GTA is bringing in professionals. 

"In our production season, we are constantly bringing in guest professionals to work alongside our students," Zechariah Pierce, associate director of the School of Communication, Film & Theatre, said. "Not only does this start giving our students connections to industry professionals who will help bridge their college years into their professional ones, but it also raises the bar of professionalism within our own productions." 

"The True Story of the Three Little Pigs" is a musical featuring puppetry, a variety of music genres and comedic elements, and it runs Oct. 5-6 and 11-12 at Brenau’s Pearce Auditorium at 202 Boulevard NE in Gainesville, Georgia.

The book-adapted show "A Monster Calls" will run from Nov. 8-16 in the Ed Cabell Theatre located in the Gainesville Campus Performing Arts building. 

Tickets for the two productions are available on the GTA website.

Senior Benjamin Perrin is pursuing a degree in theatre arts and is directing "The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals," a musical comedy created by StarKid Productions. The show runs Dec. 7. Perrin said the opportunity helped shape his post-graduation goals. 

"I plan to pursue directing and producing post-graduation. I love acting with my whole heart, but through my time in college I have found a connection with the creative big picture aspect of theatre," Perrin said. 

Eva St. Clair, a senior pursuing a degree in theatre arts, will be a swing for the showings of "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs".

This will be St. Clair’s fifth show at UNG. She shared that experiences like these plays have helped prepare her for her future aspirations of directing, teaching and arts administration.

"These shows have prepared me for graduation in many different ways, primarily by helping me find myself as a theatre artist," St. Clair said. "I've had the freedom to explore many interests and find what I am most passionate about. Additionally, I've been exposed to the sort of professionalism I'll need after graduation, and the tools I'll need to maintain a successful career."             

Tickets are now available for both mainstage plays.

GTA is hosting the Georgia Theatre Conference on Oct.16-19 at Brenau University, when roughly 2,000 high school and college students will come to take workshops, participate in play festivals, and audition for professional jobs, Pierce said.