The SCAD Atlanta Acting Department Presents Fairview!
The SCAD Atlanta Acting Department will stage a production of Jackie Sibblies Drury’s award-winning play “Fairview” from Thursday, March 5, to Sunday, March 8, 2026 at SCAD Film Studios. It is an engaging satirical drama that encourages viewers to reevaluate the assumptions and stereotypes society holds about families in multiracial communities. The play features many hilarious, unexpected turns that are sure to entertain. “The beautiful thing about the writing in this play is that the second you start laughing and you’re like, oh my gosh, this is so funny,” said Lina Apicella, who plays the character Bets, “you get hit with the realism and [feel] like, oh, maybe I shouldn’t have laughed about that … It [makes] you think constantly … and it definitely takes you through this roller coaster.”
“Fairview” follows the Frasiers as they prepare for a birthday celebration full of decorations, food, and funky family dynamics. As the group gathers, matriarch Beverly, played by Madison Nicole Butler-Williams, does everything in her power to organize the perfect evening. The night begins to unfold and what seems like a common Black family dinner unravels in a manner that challenges how the audience perceives both the characters and themselves.
The production pushes the audience to look beyond the stage and examine who controls the narrative, who is being watched, and how external impressions impact the relationships between the Frasier family and a group of white commentators. Rather than providing digestible solutions, the show challenges viewers by inviting them to reflect on their own role as observers in society. Tiffany Denise Hobbs, professor of acting and the show’s director, describes how the play “puts a mirror up to [the audience],” transforming the theater into a space where watching becomes an act of self-examination.
In an era where representation repeatedly sits at the forefront of social controversy, the SCAD Atlanta performance of “Fairview” is particularly relevant. There are many ways to use different forms of art to spark conversation about uncomfortable or complex topics. Theater does this by allowing the cast and production team to invite viewers into their space to see stories unfold in real time. “It’s really important just to see everyone as an individual … Yes, we’re all a part of where we come from. And, you know, our experiences, we all can have common things. But I think that one of the main problems is grouping everyone together,” said Toriana Douglas, who plays Keisha.
Image courtesy of Jordan Yates.
As a satirical drama, “Fairview” gives the audience a unique opportunity to understand these issues while still getting a good laugh without fear of judgment. Assistant Director Camryn Johnson explains how in a time where “cancel culture is so big, and it’s like you say one wrong thing, and that’s it,” the theater can become a space where people can experience the full range of emotion that comes with processing difficult subjects.
Make sure to check out “Fairview” this weekend. You will have a good laugh while it opens your eyes to how we perceive the diverse people around us. Reserve your tickets through this link or by using the window below:
