Wildlife and nature

Animal shelters and rescues

Theater and dance

Rivers, parks and trails

Hunger and food

Schools and learning

Housing and homelessness

Community health

Mental health

Mentoring and foster care

Legal help and rights

Jobs and money help

Atlanta

The Triangle

Everywhere

The Collective Workshop

Royal Animal Refuge

Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta

Georgia Advancing Communities Together

Atlanta Writers Club

Cobb Collaborative

Bosleys Place

Jewish Fertility Foundation

Out of Hand works at the intersection of art, social impact, and civic engagement. We help create a more just world through programs that combine theater and film with information and conversation.
Since 2001, Out of Hand has collaborated with dozens of local and national community partners to produce programs that combine art to open hearts, information to open minds, and conversation to inspire action. Our programs are based on addressing Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s triple evils of war, poverty, and racism.
Out of Hand Theater creates and produces original plays, performed in private homes, places of worship, community centers, and welcoming shared spaces. Our original works illuminate today’s most pressing social issues through powerful acting and storytelling.
At Out of Hand Dinners, a theatrical monologue or play sets the stage for a facilitated dialogue rooted in the values of equity and shared over a meal. Each year a new thematic Dinners series is produced using our award-winning Equitable Dinners model.
Out of Hand Impact partners with organizations, institutions, and communities to design and implement initiatives that address complex social challenges. These efforts draw on storytelling, engagement, and collaboration to produce lasting community impact.

Ancestral Reckoning

Give

ARIEL FRISTOE

ADRIA KITCHENS, ACTIVISM DIRECTOR

Merian Callaway

Ashley Freeman

Shaina Kahn

Melissa Simmons

Nikki Young

Naya West

Niya Randall

Daniel Sanchez Munoz

Zaria Flanigan

At Out of Hand, our plays come alive in all kinds of spaces, well beyond the traditional stage. During the 2nd Annual WellBeing by Design event, we proudly shared original play, "Black Mother Joy," by Nikki Young, to a room full of Atlanta health, philanthropic, community, and government leaders. Through powerful speeches and honest conversations, guests opened their hearts, sharing what they felt and how they can show up for new mothers in their community. Moments like these show the true power of civic theater: to bring communities together and turn empathy into action. Thank you to @archiatlanta and @atlantaoca for the partnership and believing in theater as a tool for change! 💚

We're so excited for PART TWO of our Out of Hand Dinners series with Fulton County Arts and Culture. On November 9, you have another opportunity to take part in a "We Hold These Truths" experience. This night features "Faded Dream" written by Melissa Simmons and performed by Reed Willard. 🇺🇸 📍Join us at the East Point Library at 6:00pm for a meal, a play and a conversation! Thank you so much for Fulton County Arts and Culture for providing safe spaces for neighbors to share their hopes and dreams for a more just future.

🎭 A heartfelt thank you to the incredible artists bringing this year's Out of Hand Dinners series to life. In each of the four "We Hold These Truths" plays, we are lucky enough to have local Atlanta talent bring these unique and personal stories to life! Each of their emotional performances and conviction are at the heart of our events. A one-person play is a unique model, and still our audiences feel more connected and understand the message on a much deeper and empathetic level. We are so grateful that you all choose to share your artistry with Out of Hand and the Atlanta community. ✨ There's still time to see a We Hold These Truths play...head to our calendar link in bio for details! #AtlantaNonprofit #atlantaarts #CivicTheater #atlantatheater #ArtsMatter

We’re so back! 🎭 The Out of Hand Impact Lab returns this December, and it’s entirely online, so you can join from anywhere! Learn how civic theater turns audiences into active participants, build real community partnerships, understand equity in the arts, and plan events side-by-side with local organizations and hosts. Out of Hand has been doing this for 25 years, and now its your turn! Ready to lock in? 🔒 Spots are limited, and early rates end November 10. Final registration closes November 24. Bringing your crew? Teams of three or more are eligible for special group rates. Tag the theater leader or community advocate you’d want in your cohort. ✨ Tap the link in our bio to register! 🔗 #AtlantaTheatre #artsnonprofit #AtlantaArts #artsandactivism #civictheater

‼️THIS MONDAY is one of your final chances to watch "Ancestral Reckoning" starring CT Mayo! As a part of our “We Hold These Truths” series, @ctmayo performs an original one-person play that addresses themes of American identity. After the performance, we'll gather around a shared meal (yes food is provided!) and facilitators will guide a candid conversation about the themes of the play. 💚 This is a true opportunity to support local art and find connection with neighbors. Tickets are FREE with an RSVP! Don’t wait to save your spot - register using the calendar link in bio! 📅 Date: Monday November 2, 2026 ⏰ Time: 6:00-8:00 PM 📍 Location: Turner Lynch Campus Center - 4484 Peachtree Road Northeast This Out of Hand Dinners event was created in partnership with @oglethorpeuniv #artsandactivism #AtlantaTheatre #FreeEvents #ArtInAtlanta

Get vote-ready with three simple steps: ✅ COLLECT information on the issues that matter most to you. ✅ SELECT candidates who support your vision for an America for ALL ✅ ELECT at your local precinct, using your notes so you don't forget how you want to vote! Don't forget to check your voting location, check your registration, and bring your ID! Georgia registration status can be checked at: vote.gov/register/georgia

🍂 Fall’s in the air, democracy’s on the table, and Out of Hand Dinners is wrapping up for the year! These are your final chances to watch an original "We Hold These Truths" one-person play, share a meal with neighbors, and get into real conversations about what it means to be an American in 2026. Events are free, open to the public, and every voice gets heard. 💬 ⚡ Space is limited, so register ASAP! Tap the link in bio, choose the event calendar to find your date, and lock in your spot! Bring a friend. Bring your questions. Bring your appetite. #CivicEngagement #FreeEvents #artsnonprofit #AtlantaArts #AtlantaTheatre

Some may say we're in our encore era....💥 Thanks to the City of Forest Park, we're bringing you a one-night only, encore performance of our spring Shows in Homes play, "Prisontown" by Lee Osorio. The story is about a man who goes back to his home in Georgia and witnesses the barbarity of our nation's immigration crisis and a small town torn by poverty and the prison industry. Experience this unique, one-person play that ATL Arts calls, "rich, engaging and necessary theater delivered in a profound way." Tickets are FREE!!! Just be sure to register using the link in bio! ➡PERFORMANCE DETAILS: 🗓️ Friday, Nov. 6 ⏰ Refreshments at 6:00 pm | PLAY STARTS AT 7:00PM 📍Leonard Hartsfield Community Center | 696 Main Street, Forest Park, GA Hosted by: @cityofforestparkga #atlantaarts #CivicTheater #AtlantaNonprofit #atlantatheater

Fall mood on #NationalPumpkinDay 🎃 🧡 Join us at an Out of Hand Dinners event to feel inspired and get connected with your Atlanta community. Our November calendar is live on our website! 🍂 Head to the upcoming events link in our bio to find Dinners events!

Ever wondered what's on the menu at an Out of Hand Dinners event? It's always the same three ingredients: 🍽️ A meal 🎭 A short play 💬 A conversation & connection This recipe has given us the opportunity to bring hundreds of Atlanta community members together to realize that we have more in common than we think. Interested in hosting one of these events yourself? Out of Hand provides the play and conversation starters, hosts provide the venue and meal. 🔗 Use the link in our bio submit your interest in hosting a Dinners! #CivicTheater #atlantaarts #AtlantaNonprofit #artsandactivism

📸 A little photo dump, a lot of meaningful moments, and 300 community members who showed up to be part of Out of Hand Dinners. 🇺🇸 This September, our We Hold These Truths series brought Atlanta neighbors together to experience art, engage in dialogue, and reflect on what’s possible for our city, state, and nation. We’re looking back at these gatherings with full hearts and so much gratitude for everyone who came out! A huge thank-you to the hosts who made these gatherings possible by sharing their spaces, resources, and meals! 🔹 The King Center 🔹 Fayette County Community Remembrance Coalition 🔹 Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church and the City of Brookhaven 🔹 Drew Charter School 🔹 Fulton County Arts and Culture & Northwest Library at Scotts Crossing 🔹 1906 Remembrance Exposition Week 🔹 The Carter Center 🔹 City of Decatur #atlantaarts #artsandactivism #artsnonprofit #AtlantaNonprofit #CivicTheater

Today is #WorldFoodDay and if you’ve ever attended an Out of Hand Dinners event, you know the format: 🎭A play 🍽️ A meal 💬A conversation Our performances are the catalyst to conversation, but it’s during the meal, light bites or cocktail hour that the story continues. Guests digest not only the food, but the ideas, questions and perspectives introduced in the play. There’s something powerful about sharing food with your neighbors. Around a table, strangers find connection and conversations that might feel difficult start to soften. Dialogue over a shared meal is a cornerstone to the Out of Hand model. For 25 years, we’ve been grateful to break bread with Atlanta. We hope you join us! 💚

Here are 5 ways we’re using art and activism to honor Indigenous People’s Day this year. 🧡 📚 Read books by Native authors and discover stories that deserve to be heard. 🎭 Experience live performances written by or starring Native artists. If you’re in Atlanta, the 5th Annual First Voices Festival is coming back to the city this November! Check out @firstvoicesfestival_atl for more info. 🏛️ Visit cultural centers to really take a step back into history and get a new perspective on Indigenous history and traditions. 🛍️ Shop Native-owned to support Indigenous artists and businesses. Right here in Little 5 Points is @turtleislandtradingatl – you may have known it as Coyote Trading in the past! 💬 It all starts with education. Gather your friends and peers to have honest conversations about how you can show up for Indigenous communities and put allyship into action. Together, let’s continue uplifting Indigenous stories, recognizing their resilience and advocating for a future rooted in respect, equity and understanding. Have a book, store, movie or museum recommendation? Drop it in the comments below! ⬇️ #indigenouspeoplesday #artsandactivism #artsnonprofit #atlantaarts

Behind every young artist taking a leap onstage is a teacher being their biggest cheerleader. 🎭 This World Teachers’ Day, we’re celebrating our amazing Creative Kids teaching artists. Each one brings something different to the classroom, but they share one mission: helping young people build confidence, spark creativity and encourage the belief that art can make the world a better place. Thank you, to all of our teachers, for your dedication to our youth. If you want to help us continue sharing high-quality arts to students who may not otherwise have access to theater programming, consider a donation to Creative Kids. A link is in our bio to donate directly. 💛 #WorldTeachersDay #AtlantaArts #AtlantaNonprofit #atlantateachers

It's October and we're still talking to community members about what it means to be American. 🇺🇸 Check out our FREE, PUBLIC Out of Hand Dinners events happening around Metro Atlanta. This is your opportunity to meet a stranger, share a meal, and experience theater that can change your perspective on life in the USA. Use the "Upcoming Events" link in our bio to find a date and reserve your spot. Already seen a "We Hold These Truths" play this year? ⬇️ Tag a friend in the comments who needs to experience it for themself!

Wait for it…👀 #atlantaarts #atlantatheater #atlantanonprofit

🎭💛🏠 Thank you so much to Black Leadership Aids Crisis Coalition (BLACC) for hosting the final performance of "Status" this season. Our Shows in Homes program creates intimate settings for theater to spark dialogue about issues that are often left unspoken. This season's topic: HIV/AIDs and how it disproportionately affects Black and LGBTQ+ communities. Following the performance, Program Manager Naya West led a Q&A with BLACC on how the epidemic affects Atlanta, where infection rates are twice the national average. To directly support the cause right here in our community, take part in the @ahf_aidswalkatlanta5k happening THIS SATURDAY Sept. 26. Thank you so much to our partners at BLACC, Aids Healthcare Foundation and HIV Trials Network! @ahfcares @helpendhiv #CivicTheater #atlantatheater #NonprofitTheater #AtlantaArts

🪇 This month, we are proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and partner with the Latin American Association to have important conversations about the American experience across cultures. Neighbors in the Brookhaven community came together for open, honest dialogue that was launched by a special performance of Jeiliannne Vazquez's "American Dream." Let us know in the comments below what your dream is for the future of Latin Americans in the USA. 💛 @thelaa #AtlantaArts #CivicTheater #NonprofitTheater #atlantatheater #civictheatre

We're delighted to announce that Karen Paty will be our new treasurer of the Out of Hand board! Karen spent ten years as the Executive Director of Georgia Council for the Arts, following a two decade career in arts and community development. Her starpower shines bright. Did you know that Georgia Trend named her one of the "100 Most Influential Georgians" six times? She's a NYU graduate, former Associate Director for Civic Engagement at Hands on Atlanta, and has served on the boards of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and the Decatur Education Foundation. We're grateful for the expertise and guidance that Karen will continue to bring to the Out of Hand team! 🌟

🤭 We're guilty of too much good. At Out of Hand, we're in the business of creating a more just world through programs that combine theater, information and conversation. Visit our website to learn how to partner with and raise awareness for social causes. #CivicTheater #AtlantaArts #NonprofitTheater #AtlantaNonprofit

Out of Hand Dinners events would not be possible without the dedication and generosity of hosts like All Souls Fellowship Church (@asfdecatur) and our Advisory Board member, Ellen Narain. Thanks to their commitment to using arts to promote social change, nearly four dozen community members gathered for a play, meal, and candid conversation about what the American dream truly looks like in 2026. "We Hold These Truths" is still available for individuals and organizations to host! Head over to the link in our bio to learn more about our programs and how to get involved. #AtlantaNonprofit #AtlantaArts #CivicTheater #AtlantaTheater

✨A New Season at Out of Hand ✨⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #AtlantaArts #ArtsNonProfit

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