Updated on 8/16/24 at 4:16 p.m.
When actress and director Kelly Balzli returned to the Atlanta theater scene after over 20 years, she realized that barely anything had changed — with the exception of technology.
“Obviously the socials is a big component of it now,” she noted when discussing the importance of building a digital audience. “I ain’t no young chicken, so I haven’t really done a lot with the TikTok and all of that.”
Balzli was an active presence on various stages throughout the city until her 30s. After experiencing performance burnout, she decided to shift focus to a career that would later evolve into product management.
After two decades of focusing on career and family, she said that returning to her roots was a gradual process. The decision left her excited but also “scared to death.”
“But I decided if I’m going to come back, I’m going to do it my way.”
Nearly two years later, her dream has transformed into a reality in the form of Ovations Theater, which opens its doors for its first production, the stage comedy “Luv,” on Thursday.
Balzli hopes to grow Ovations — which is currently based at Seven Stages Theatre in Little Five Points — into a jack of all trades. Scripted plays, standup comedy and sketches have already been added to the house roster.
Still holding onto her day job, Balzli works eight hours during the day and holds rehearsals and crew meetings that go into the night.
“After work, I would just sit on the couch and watch some dumb TV show. ‘Dateline’ or whatever it is,” she said. “[I was nervous] if I would still have the energy, but … it has been such a labor of love that it has not been an issue.”
In addition to running day-to-day operations, Balzli made it her mission to seek out women like herself — talented, passionate and middle-aged — who could help shape the voice of Ovations.
Atlanta comedian Emily Holden will begin hosting the launch of a Wednesday stand-up comedy showcase beginning Aug. 21, with performances from comics Carlette Jennings and Lace Larrabee — the latter of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.”
“I absolutely love that Ovations Theater is spotlighting mature women in comedy,” said Jennings, who started her comedy career in her late 30s. “I hope the audiences see how much fun they can have hearing a different perspective, one that is uniquely grown-up and self-assured, and one that is unapologetically female.”
In addition to hosting the showcase, Holden will also be a regular performer in Ovation’s upcoming “Middle Aged Sketch Show” (MASS), which she says “puts a comical lens on the juxtaposition of what being in your 40s-50s evokes.”
“The beauty of performing at this point of life is that you know you are, what you like and what you don’t like,” said Holden, who is frequently seen on Atlanta comedy stages The Punchline and The Alley Stage. “This evokes truth and authenticity, and well, this is where the funny occurs.”
“We’ve been through it. We’ve experienced a lot,” added Balzli. “The family hardships, the money hardships, aging parents … people relate to that.”
While there is still much work to be done, including finding the theater a permanent home, Balzli is prepared to keep the spotlight on Ovations for as long as she can.
“I’m not dead yet!” she said. “And I still have a lot of things that I want to say.”
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that comedians Carlette Jennings and Lace Larrabee would be hosting the launch of Ovations’ upcoming Wednesday stand-up comedy showcase. The story has been updated to reflect that the comedians will be giving performances at the event.
This article has also been updated to include quote from Jennings.
