Thursday, June 2, 2016

Pioneer Valley Theatre News June 2, 2016

*|MC:SUBJECT|*
Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter
View this email in your browser

  June 2-22, 2016


It feels like summer to me! I hope everyone is enjoying the post graduation traffic and warmer weather. 

New Century Theatre kicks off the 26th season with the fourth annual Life in the 413 - an evening of radio plays celebrating and poking fun at life in the Pioneer Valley. Come check it out!

The next issue will include events through June 29. Submit upcoming events via the link below or by emailing me before next Tuesday at midnight. Any questions, comments or feedback? Email me at pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com

Submit Your Theatre Event
Get your tickets today!
THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS:
from Howlround
The Battle Series: Diana Oh

by Corey Ruzicano
From the article: 

I graduated from college 288 days ago. Since then I’ve been to seven countries, worked nine jobs, and cried on the subway four times.

This article began as coverage on an international arts festival. Bags packed, high hopes in hand, I’m a world away but I am confronted with all the same injustices of home—inequity of race and class and gender. Only now I’m looking at these big issues as a stranger, away from the business as usual patterns of my home and my life, with a head cleared by crossing 3,257 miles to a stranger’s shore. Over and over I am pricked by reminders of my gender and its imposed meaning; of what it is to be a girl by another country’s standard.

Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com
PERFORMANCES
Ashfield Community Theater presents
THE QUICK-CHANGE ROOM

by Nagle Jackson
directed by Chris Rohmann
June 3-4 at 7 pm
Town Hall, 412 Main St., Ashfield

In Nagle Jackson’s backstage comedy The Quick-Change Room, art collides, and then colludes, with commerce. It takes place in Russia just as the Soviet Union is collapsing and the old order is being replaced by a free-market free-for-all. 

Still clinging to tradition, the venerable Kuzlov Theater is rehearsing Anton Chekhov’s classic drama The Three Sisters. But something’s got to give. The conflict plays out in the rehearsal studio and in the quick-change costume room, where two hard-working “babushkas” cope with temperamental actors and constant crises, along with a black-market wheeler-dealer and an ambitious young ingĂ©nue. 

Though it’s set within a real historical event, The Quick-Change Room is really a clever commentary on the state of the arts in our own country, where commercial imperatives often trump artistic ideals. It’s a smart, witty roller-coaster of backstage backbiting and artistic angst, where the ruble rules and Chekhov spins in his grave.

Buy tickets
online or at the door – $12.
Talking Hands Theatre presents Fairies of the Seasons
Saturday, June 4 at 9:30 AM
Wendell Library, 7 Wendell Depot Road, Wendell, MA

In this magical show, all set on a dress, handmade fairy puppets and felted animals invite the audience to sing, move, and help the fairies find their way back to the seasons where they belong.  Recommended for ages 2-7.

More information online.
New Century Theatre presents LIFE IN THE 413
An Evening of Radio Plays
Saturday, June 4 at 7:00 PM
Theatre 14, Smith College

Don't miss this evening of old-timey radio fun complete with foley artists and six new plays about life in the Pioneer Valley. Hosted by Monte Belmonte and Bill Dwight. Featuring Philip Price and Flora Reed of The Winterpills, The Expandable Brass Band, and Josh Sitron on piano. Plays by Ellen Wittlinger, Jack Neary, Eric Henry Sanders, Phil O'Donoghue, Harley Erdman, and Kelsey Flynn and Hilary Price!

Tickets $25 General, $15 Students and can be purchased online or over the phone after May 31 (413-585-3220).

 
Pauline Productions presents 10th Year Celebration Fundraiser

June 5 at 2:00 PM
Gateway City Arts 92 Race St., Holyoke, MA
To celebrate Pauline Productions' 10th year, Lisha Brooks and Dan Robert (Mayflower Plantation) will return to the Valley to screen episodes of their award-winning web series. Proceeds will benefit Pauline Productions, Brooks & Robert productions and the LGBT Asylum Support Task Force.

June 5 at 7:00 PM
Gloriosa & Co.'s Curtis House, 14 South Street, Ashfield, MA
To celebrate Pauline Productions' 10th year of professional theater, Dan Robert and Lisha Brooks return from LA to present episodes from their award-winning web series, BEARDS. Performers from past Pauline Productions will be there.

Website.
The Majestic Theater presents The Majesters Improv Comedy
June 7 at 7:00 PM
The Majestic Theatre, 131 Elm St. West Springfield, MA

An evening of musical improv comedy featuring the valley's best spontaneous comics.

Tickets for the Majesters shows will be $7 and sold at the door only the night of each show. The troupe takes suggestions and inspiration from audience members. Seating is general admission.

More info 
online
Black Cat Theatre presents MOON OVER BUFFALO
June 9 - 10 - 11 @ 7:00 pm 
June 12 @ 2:00pm
East Meadow School
393 East State Street, Granby, MA

Black Cat Theater presents their Spring adult comedy (for mature audiences) "Moon Over Buffalo", directed by Donald Beach. 

In the make-up comedy tradition of 'Lend Me A Tenor', the hilarious 'Moon Over Buffalo' centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading stars of the1950's. At the moment, they're playing 'Private Lives' and 'Cyrano De Bergerac' in rep in Buffalo, New York with five actors. On the brink of a disastrous split up caused by George's dalliance with a young ingenue, they receive word that they might have just one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee, and if he likes what he sees, he might cast them in his movie remake of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel'. Unfortunately for George and Charlotte, everything that coud go wrong does go wrong abetted by a visit from their daughter's clueless fiance and hilarious uncertainty about which play they're actually performing, caused by Charlotte's deaf old stage-manager mother who hates every bone in George's body.

$15 General Admission 
$12 Seniors/Students
Veterans/Military Free of Charge

RESERVATIONS: Call 
413-563-6023
or email blackcattheater@gmail.com
The Majestic Theater presents
MAGS (A CONVERSATION WITH AN AUDIENCE)

Thursday, June 9 at 7:30pm
Friday, June 10 at 8pm
Saturday, June 11 at 8pm
Sunday, June 12 at 2pm

An original work by Eaton, “MAGS” is adapted from the book “This is Paradise: An Irish Mother's Grief, an African Village's Plight, and the Medical Clinic that Brought Fresh Hope to Both” by Suzanne Strempek Shea. The true-life story details the mission of Mags Riordan, an Irish woman who traveled to a remote village in Africa following her son's death there in a tragic accident. Beckoned by his insistence that she see the abundant natural beauty of the region, Mags is then motivated to help the poverty-stricken residents there by creating a medical clinic to serve them. Actress Cate Damon will perform the one-woman show as Mags.

For additional information, visit the website.
Eggtooth Productions presents THE full disclosure festival.
HUMAN IMPACT UPON THE ENVIRONMENT, PAST PRESENT, AND FUTURE
June 10 and 11 
Downtown Greenfield

Theater, music, installations, visual art and more….throughout the streets, in movement, and all over town.  It’s the Full Disclosure Festival from Eggtooth Productions, June 10th and 11th in downtown Greenfield.

What happens when climatologists, anthropologists, and historians collaborate with artists to find new expression? How about a new musical about the Quabbin called the Water Project? Spoken word with dance? Conceptual art? Experiential art and immersive theater? Come have your mind blown at the 2016 Full Disclosure Festival.

A centerpiece of the Festival is Emma Ayres’ new production of The Water Project, a music theater piece about the expropriation of towns to create the Quabbin Reservoir. Her work blends the history of the disincorporation and destruction, in April 1938, of four towns in Franklin County with our present conflicts with power, politics, and natural resources.

We also offer Poetry Reading on the Main Stage of Artsblock, and  A SECRET HISTORY BOOTH with Lindel Hart at GCTV interviewing folks who are invited to tell a story of this place. 

Tickets are $20 and are good for the whole weekend and the whole festival and are available online. Full schedule and more details available here.

TheatreTruck at Easthampton's Cultural Chaos
Saturday, June 11
at 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 PM
Cottage and Pine Streets,
midway between The Circus Performers (trapeze) and the Center Stage.

TheatreTruck brings COMMEDIA GRAB BAG! to Cultural Chaos

TheatreTruck brings our spin to Commedia dell'Arte in this pop-up performance.

YOU decide the order in which scenes from classical playwrights will be performed in this choose-your-own-adventure performance. The actors add their own improvisation and physical comedy to the mix.  A perfect short-form performance for festival goers to enjoy. You won't want to miss it!


More information here
Happier Valley Comedy Show

Come see spontaneously-created theater with Valley favorites THE HA-HA'S who perform the fast and furious improvised show "The Buckingham." With special guest funny man Scott Braidman! These talented comedians will be making it all up on the spot in this one time only show.

NEW LOCATION FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Saturday, June 11th at 8pm - doors open at 7 
121 Club Easthampton
116 Pleasant Street, Suite 121
Eastworks, Easthampton MA
Tickets available only at the door: $13
**ONLY CASH OR CHECK PAYMENT**

Audiences can look forward to a full evening of comic entertainment rated PG-13 in this wheelchair-accessible space. For more information about The Happier Valley Comedy Show, visit the show website at 
www.happiervalley.com.

PLUS! Stick around after the show for the Happier Valley Comedy School Showcase & Jam! Try some improv out - or just watch - in the student-led improv jam. Plus see an improvised set by the Advanced Improv student team called "HATS!" The Showcase & Jam is free with your ticket into the Happier Valley Comedy Show. There is a one drink minimum.

All-new shows every month!
The Happier Valley Comedy Show is
on the SECOND SATURDAY of every month
8:00 - 10:00pm (Plus Showcase & Jam at 10-11pm)

www.happiervalley.com


Facebook event here.
The Majestic Theater presents Tea for Three
June 16 at 7:30 PM
June 18 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM
June 19 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Majestic Theater, 131 Elm Street, West Springfield

What is it like for a woman when her husband becomes the President of the United States – and she is suddenly thrust into the spotlight?

The Off-Broadway hit "TEA FOR THREE: Lady Bird, Pat & Betty" explores the hopes, fears, quirks and loves of Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon and Betty Ford in what Mrs. Nixon called “the hardest unpaid job in the world.”


413.747.7797 • Box Office: 10am-5pm M-F, 10am-1pm Sat
Watch a clip from the performance 
here
New Century Theatre presents YANKEE TAVERN
by Steven Dietz
Directed by Gina Kaufmann
June 16-25
Theatre 14,
Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Smith College, Northampton

New Century Theatre opens its 2016 season with an edge-of-your-seat thriller. Set in the crumbling New York City bar that Adam has recently inherited from his father, he and his fiancé plan for their upcoming wedding while dealing with the bar’s curious clientele. These customers include an aging barfly who has a conspiracy theory for everything, especially 9/11, and a mysterious stranger of few words who blurs the line between conspiracy theory and reality. Saying too much more would spoil this captivating, puzzling play by one of America’s most prolific playwrights.


Tickets available online or by calling 413-585-3220. 
The Happier FAMILY Comedy Show!

Funny for the whole family (and perfect for kids 5-12 and their adults)! Get your family-friendly funnies in this totally interactive, high energy improv comedy show on the third Saturday of every month. 

Our next show is coming up!
Saturday, June 18th
4-5 pm (doors open at 3:45)
The Community Room of the Eastworks building (116 Pleasant Street, Easthampton)
Tickets at the door: $5 Kids, $10 Adults, $30 Immediate Family Max. **Payments by cash or check only**

For more info on the show click here: 

www.happiervalley.com

Answers to your FAQs:
IS THIS SHOW FAMILY FRIENDLY? Um, yeah! By its very definition and design. This show is rated G. We think it's most appropriate for kids 5-12, but everyone is welcome.

WHAT MAKES A FAMILY? Love makes a family. You don't need to be related to come to the family show. You don't even need to be a kid! 

WHAT IS THE FAMILY MAX TICKET THING? It's our immediate family discount. So you pay only $30 max for an immediate family circle. But our tickets are super reasonable anyway: Kids are only $5. Their adults are $10.

Any more questions? Email
 or post them on Facebook.
PhantomSheep presents LaughCrafters: Comedy Improv Summer Kick off Show!
June 22 at 7:00 PM
Springfield Jewish Community Center, Neal Webber Building

Celebrate the end of the school year and kick off the summer as Western MA's own comedy troupe Phantom Sheep returns to the JCC stage with their popular LaughCrafters: Comedy Improv show! 

Performing games and scenes all created on the spot based on suggestions from the audience in a fast paced hilarious show!

Admission is $8/ $5 students and available at the door. Facebook event here.
AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
Summer Apprenticeships with New Century Theatre
Season: May 31-August 6

The apprenticeship program at New Century Theatre is a part-time summer program for local high school students. Apprentices may work backstage, assist in the creation of props and costumes, and run the light board for our NCT Kids productions. Apprentices interested in lighting, costumes and set design may also have the opportunity to help with our mainstage New Century Theatre shows.

The NCT Kids! show begins rehearsing in July and performances are July 20-23 and August 3-6.
More information and applications available online.
Majestic Theater 2016-2017 Season Auditions

Non-Equity performers will be scheduled to audition June 1, 2, 3 and 5, and Equity performers will audition June 6-7. The specific hours are:

Non-Equity:
Thursday, June 2 – 6-10:30pm
Friday, June 3 – 6-10:30pm
Sunday, June 5 - 12-6pm

Equity:
Monday, June 6 – 10am-6pm
Tuesday, June 7 – 10am-6pm

Actors will be auditioned for parts in the following productions: “Million Dollar Quartet,” a classic rock and roll musical by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott(September 8 – October 23, 2016), “Love, Loss, and What I Wore,” a comedy by Nora and Delia Ephron (November 3 – December 11, 2016), “Amadeus,” a classical drama by Peter Shaffer (January 5 – February 12, 2017), “Painting Churches,” a contemporary drama by Tina Howe (February 23 – April 2, 2017) and “La Cage aux Folles” a musical by Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman (April 13 – May 21, 2017).

Non-Equity auditions are scheduled in 10 minute time slots. Non-Equity performers new to the Majestic should prepare a monologue of their choice and, if singing, bring an instrumental CD accompaniment as well as a picture and resume. They will also be asked to read from prepared script selections.

Equity auditions are scheduled in five minute time slots and participants must prepare a monologue. If auditioning for a musical, they must bring sheet music of their choice. An accompanist will be present. Equity performers may be asked to stay longer, if time permits, and read from prepared script selections.

To book an audition, call the Majestic Theater at 
413.747.7797.
CALL FOR THEATER DIRECTORS!

Black Cat Theater is seeking letters of interest and resumes for the positions of Artistic Director and Music Director (piano and vocals) for our Fall musical, Oliver!

Rehearsals begin in September and show dates will be in November. Email letter of interest and resume by
 Saturday June 4th.
MA Critics Circle Senior High Student Scholarship

$500 MA Critics Circle Scholarship available for any high school senior in WMa, NCt. Must be enrolled to attend college next fall w/ a major in any art genre. Need 1 page essay on why you deserve the award, a letter from only 1 person who can speak about your accomplishments, and a sample(s) of your work; i.e. slides, program book, composition, etc.

Deadline: June 6th postmark
In the Spotlight, 235 State St., #102, Springfield, MA 01103
Silverthorne Theater Company is sponsoring a competition to select a new play by a local playwright of color for possible production during the 2017 season.  The deadline for submissions is October 1, 2016.  Complete information about the contest may be found online.
 
A reading committee of five members, headed by veteran Montague actor Kent Alexander, will review all submissions. Three finalists will be selected for public staged readings in November and December, with the final competition winner announced on December 30, 2016.
 
Play submissions must be between 60 minutes to 2 hours running time; they must not have been previously fully produced. Playwrights of color (defined as non-white) who live or study in New England are eligible to submit plays, with special consideration given those from the Connecticut Valley/Western Massachusetts region.
 
Silverthorne Theater Company is a professional summer theater organization whose mission is to bring excellence of performance to adventurous drama, combining the best of the theatrical repertoire while also promoting unheard voices and underserved populations.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Happier Valley Comedy presents 
Strengthening Your Voice: 
A Fun Workshop for Introverted, Introvert-Friendly & Introvert-Curious People

Saturday, June 11
3-5pm (2 hours)
Hadley, MA
$30

Do you find it difficult to make your voice heard? Do you wish you could participate more in group discussions at work and at social events? Quiet is great, though would you also like to make your out loud voice heard when it’s time to talk? Here’s a chance to practice these skills in a super supportive, judgment-free, and fun environment through easy-to-learn improvisation exercises practiced in a group circle and in pairs with breaks for quiet reflection and discussion. 

Your question: Do I need to [fill in the blank: have experience/want to perform/know anything/get up in front of people/anything else]? 
Our answer: Nope! All you need is a willingness to strengthen your inner and outer voice. 

This fun and easy workshop will help you practice quieting your inner judgmental voice, communicate more effectively, reframe setbacks and overcome challenges. It’s also a great chance to connect with interesting folks like you. 

Taught by Smith College alumna Pam Victor, the founder of Happier Valley Comedy. As well as being a professional improviser, Pam is a business consultant who uses improvisation exercises to facilitate powerful growth in the workplace in the THROUGH LAUGHTER program. Pam is the author of “Baj and the Word Launcher: A Space-Aged Asperger Adventure in Communication” and, along with legendary improvisers TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi, co-author of “Improvisation at the Speed of Life: The TJ & Dave Book.” You can check her out at 
www.pamvictor.com.

Sign up
here. If you are unable to reserve your place online, please email.
Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*

Our mailing address is:
*|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|*

unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences 

*|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

No comments:

Post a Comment