Meet Catherine Mew | Producer, Writer, and Script Development

We had the good fortune of connecting with Catherine Mew and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Catherine, how does your business help the community?
Atlanta Reclamation Studios works in a feminist production mode, without typical theatrical and cinematic hierarchal structures. Our calling is finding lost Georgia stories that remain relevant to the complex cultural struggles the state and its citizens face today. Our recent show, Mavens of St Catherines Island — which in November received a series of NYC industry readings sponsored by Bechdel Project in connection with Broadway World — focuses on matriarchal structures and survival on the Georgia Golden Isles during the hurricanes of 1893, 1898, and 1901. The plight of the women in the show directly reflects the issues facing the Geechee people on Sapelo Island today, as well as issues of female autonomy, repressive Comstock laws, direct democracy, colonialism, ecological survival, and religious freedom.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At Atlanta Reclamation Studios we like to say that “the stories we tell are empathy machines” —like in Pilates— for the human soul.  It is our direct goal to emphasize how pluralism makes communities stronger and inclusion makes all our lives richer. We are so excited about how our pieces have been received so far and the buy in/fan base they are creating. We are proud that so many of our audiences leave our pieces with a deeper understanding of history and the tools for direct advocacy over issues still plaguing our state and world today.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First of all, everyone should come visit Atlanta! We are really proud of Rachel Maddow calling us the artistic center of the nation and we agree! We recommend a tour of the city based in performance and food. Wednesday, catch an industry night performance at Actor’s Express and eat at Neuvo Laredo. Thursday, experience whatever immersive and innovative show that is playing at Horizon Theatre and get the best rated burger in the country (which is made out of brisket, not ground beef) at Fox Brothers or the best shrimp and grits at Two Urban Licks.  We don’t want to be too partial but we recommend finishing off the night with a cone or two at Jenni’s ice cream. Friday night, head out early to Lawrenceville and see a show at Aurora Theatre. Finally spend Saturday checking out The High Museum, eating at South City Kitchen Midtown or Nan and seeing a show at Synchronicity Theatre or The Alliance.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We want to shout out all our partners in development for Mavens of St Catherines Island: Bechdel Project, NYC, The Warhol Foundation, The Nexus Fund, Atlanta Contemporary, Art Station, Horizon Theatre Company, and Aurora Theatre.  In particular we want to send all our love to the interstate series at Bechdel Project which seeks to elevate innovative story tellers and feminist voices from red states. Bechdel Project’s impressive reach in the field has made feminist theatre possible in states where women’s rights are under attack. We very much appreciate them.

Website: AtlantaReclamationStudios@atlantareclamationstudios.com

Image Credits
Catherine Mew and Nancy Tatnall