Two symposiums and many talented guest artists will join the main stage productions in bringing Milledgeville a socially conscious season.

The season opens September 30 with the world premiere of “The Smiles” written by Karla Jennings, 2009 Pillars Playwriting Prize Contest winner. “The Smiles” is a courtroom drama about a woman who is abused by her husband and reveals her evolution in this true-to-life thriller. The piece will run in Russell Auditorium through October 4 and will be directed by Iona Pendergast.

Danielle Pratt, capstone student, will direct Neil LaBute’s “Fat Pig” on October 8 and 9 in Max Noah Recital Hall. The piece tells the story of an overweight woman who starts dating a guy who makes fun of her.

“I chose this piece because it’s real and it’s raw and it shows the control your friends can have over you,” said Pratt.

Dottie Pratt, theatre major, will reprise her role as director of Richard O’Brien’s “Rocky Horror Picture Show” on October 30 in a midnight showing at Russell Auditorium. The bawdy show has become a yearly event and proceeds are donated to a designated charity. Last year’s production raised $1000 for Project Katrina.

The theatre department received a grant from the Spanish Embassy to produce Calderon de la Barca’s “Life is a Dream.” The production will feature the multimedia presentation of guest artist Natsu Onoda Power.

Karen Berman, theatre department chair, describes the show as a “fabled love story about redemption and a self-fulfilling prophecy of a mistreated prisoner.” The department of modern foreign language is providing the Spanish translation for the production. The piece will run November 18-22 in Russell Auditorium and will be directed by Berman.

Jonathan Larson’s “Rent” continues the theme of Dreaming Global Justice as it presents the challenges of six individuals living with AIDS. A large chorus will be participating, in addition to the traditionally small cast. The performance will be a collaboration with the music department. The piece will run February 24-28 in Russell Auditorium and will be directed by Amy Pinney (theatre) and Wendy Mullen (music).

Elisha Hodgins will direct Martin McDonagh’s “The Beauty Queen of Leenane,” an Irish play that details the difficult relationship between mother and daughter. Susan Lynskey, equity actress, will come in as a guest artist for accent coaching in order to maintain the authentic Irish heritage of the show.

“We are very excited by the challenges this season will present,” said Berman. “We are fortunate to have the partnership of many of the other departments on campus, including the art department and department of modern foreign languages.”

Tickets can be purchased online at gcsutickets.com and are available for most shows. For more information contact Berman at (478) 445-1980.