The name "swamp gravy" originally belonged to a traditional Georgia dish, a cobbled-together stew that stretches to feed however many people drop an ingredient in the pot. This collaborative community spirit is also found in Swamp Gravy, which bills itself as the official folk life play of Georgia. Covering universal themes with a Southern twist since 1994, the shows' cast and crew of more than 100 people bring Georgians' true stories to the stage through comedy, drama, music, and dance. Volunteer performers work with professional playwrights and directors to create numerous Swamp Gravy shows throughout the year, with each one tackling a different theme.