Thursday, June 23, 2016

Pioneer Valley Theatre News June 23, 2016

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter
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  June 23-July 13, 2016


It's another newsletter full of great plays, workshops, and auditions! Scroll all the way to the bottom and click view in browser to make sure you don't miss anything. And you can always check out the web version of this newsletter!

The next issue will include events through July 20. 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
THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS:
from Howlround
How to Survive Predominately White Academic Theatre: Cause a Disruptive Innovation

by Clinnesha Sibley
From the article: 

Maya Angelou once wrote, “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” It is that unfeigned self-reduction that has led me to this turning point in my life. After seven years of being on tenure-track in the field of theatre and playwriting, a personal metamorphosis is leading me away from academia and back to my true passion.

Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com
PERFORMANCES
New Century Theatre presents YANKEE TAVERN
by Steven Dietz
Directed by Gina Kaufmann
June 23-25
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. 
Silverthorne Theater Company presents THE MISER

6/23 (7:30 pm) 6/24 (7:30 pm) 6/25 (2 & 7:30 pm); 6/30 (7:30 pm) 7/1 (7/30 pm); 7/2 (2 & 7:30 pm)
Sloan Theater, Greenfield Community College, One College Dr., Greenfield

This contemporary adaptation of the classic French farce will have you aching with laughter at the absurdity of the lust for lucre! “In an era of opulence and concern for wealth, a revival of Molière's high comedy ''The Miser'' could hardly be more appropriate. Molière's Harpagon, a skinflint so mean-spirited that he makes his own children beggars, is more than a personality type. He is a malefic social force whose insane acquisitiveness creates outwardly radiating ripples of corruption, turning family, servants and acquaintances into flatterers, flunkies and extortionists.” (NY Times) “There is nothing like spending the evening with a good dose of Molière.”  (Talkin’ Broadway)

Seating is unassigned; house opens 30 minutes before curtain. Cash or checks only; ATM on site. Handicapped accessible; air conditioned. More information online.
New Century Theatre presents BAKERSFIELD MIST
by Stephen Sachs
Directed by Sam Rush
June 30-July 9
Theatre 14,
Mendenhall Center for the
Performing Arts, Smith College, Northampton

Unemployed Maude Gutman, living in a trailer and knocked about by life, buys a $3 painting at a tag sale as a joke and discovers it just might be a Jackson Pollock original, worth millions. She invites cultured art expert, Lionel Percy, to her California home to authenticate the work. When he hesitates to acknowledge the painting as authentic, the sparks fly between the pair as the debate rages through the night. A funny, moving play that explores questions of art, self-worth, class and the nature of criticism, BAKERSFIELD MIST is a play that will have you laughing while you cry.


Tickets available online or by calling 413-383-3220. Facebook event here
The Majestic Theater presents Improvisational Comedy with The Majesters

Featuring a troupe of the best improv comics from across the Pioneer Valley and beyond for an evening of unscripted comic mayhem.  The program begins with improv scenes similar to "Whose Line is it Anyway," and is followed by a storyline that's developed with help from the audience.  Improvisational Comedy with The Majesters takes place Wednesday nights at 7pm July 6-August 24.  Tickets are $7.

IMPROVISATIONAL COMEDY WITH THE MAJESTERS SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, July 6 - 7pm - $7
Wednesday, July 13 - 7pm - $7
Wednesday, July 20 - 7pm - $7
Wednesday, July 27 - 7pm - $7
Wednesday, August 3 - 7pm - $7
Wednesday, August 10 - 7pm - $7
Wednesday, August 17 - 7pm - $7
Wednesday, August 24 - 7pm - $7
PaintBox Theatre presents RAGGEDY ANN

July 8 at 7:00 PM, July 9 and 10 at 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM
Williston Theatre, 18 Payson Avenue, Easthampton
Tickets here.

July 15 at 7:00 PM, July 16 at 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM
The Shea Theater, 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls
Tickets here.

PaintBox Theatre's season opens with Linda Tardif as a living doll. Eight stories folded into one big production? Why not? But if Linda is Raggedy Ann, who will play the dozens of additional characters? No problem: Myka Plunkett and Connor Paradis can do it all! With costume changes galore, we are certainly in for a wild time. They may even draft members of the audience to help.
Ko Festival of Performance presents KO KABARET.
Fri., July 8 and Sat., July 9 at 8:00 pm; Sun., July 10 at 4:00 pm.  
Holden Theater, Amherst College, Amherst, MA

Different lineup each night. Celebrating 25 years, KoFest brings favorite artists back from as far away as New Orleans and as close as Amherst for a 3-day VARIETY SHOW / GALA.  

Tickets $25 for 25 years. $21 Student & SR. $5 off you see more than one.  To order before July 4, call 413-427-6147  or online anytime.  After July 4, Box Office line: 413-542-3750.  

Part of Ko Festival of Performance, celebrating its 25th season, a perennially popular summer theater experience in Western Massachusetts.  July 4-August 7, 2016 on the beautiful campus of Amherst College.  KoFest presents five weekend-long theatrical performances, two special single events, and three 6-day intensive theater workshops.  
Happier Valley Comedy presents SCRIPTED/UNSCRIPTED
Saturday, July 9 at 8:00 PM
Arts Block, Greenfield

July 9 brings us our most popular show SCRIPTED/UNSCRIPTED!

SCRIPTED/UNSCRIPTED features a cavalcade of talented improvisers and stage actors from the Pioneer Valley in a half-scripted, half-improvised, totally unique and fun show! SCRIPTED/UNSCRIPTED combines one actor performing from a script with one improviser making it all up on the spot to mix up a wild and wooly show unlike anything thing you've seen before. This show usually plays to a sold-out crowd, so you'll definitely want to get your tickets in advance to guarantee your seat.

**This show often fills up fast, so we suggest arriving by 7:30 to stake out the best seat! **

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

All-new shows every month!
The Happier Valley Comedy Show are
on the SECOND SATURDAY of every month 8:00 - 10:00pm
at the beautiful, first floor Arts Block

To reserve a ticket click here.
Facebook event here.
Happier Valley Comedy presents
MORE IMPROV,
MORE BETTER
THE AFTER-SHOW
SHOW & JAM

Saturday, July 9th directly after the Happier Valley Comedy Show
The Arts Block, 289 Main Street, Greenfield MA 01301
Admission is free. One drink minimum required.

The "More Improv, More Better" After-Show is an open improv jam and showcase that runs from 10-11pm on the second Saturday of each month, directly following the Happier Valley Comedy Show. Play improv games lead by a Happier Valley Comedy School Jam Leader and watch a short improvised set featuring select Advanced Improv student teams. 

Open to one and all! (Yes, even you!) Come watch. Come play. Come laugh. Come drink. Come waplaughink*!

The showcase performance will feature an enthusiastic group of Advanced Zen of Improv students, banded together out of mutual curiosity, love and interest in The Harold and other long forms of improv. 

For more info, see www.happiervalley.com or email info@happiervalley.com.

*"waplaughink" is a combination of watch, play, laugh, and drink...a rare and wonderful simultaneous event of joy and mirth.
Facebook event here.

 
Ko Festival of Performance presents THE LITTLE FARM SHOW | NACLTheatre
Sunday, July 10 at 4:00 pm
On the Amherst College Observatory Lawn off Snell St. in Amherst, MA

An all-ages musical extravaganza about farming, food and taking care of the earth.   “The greatest show on dirt” (NY Times).   Tickets $9 Adults / $7 Children under 12. 

To order before July 4, call 413-427-6147  or online anytime.  After July 4, Box Office line: 413-542-3750.  

Part of Ko Festival of Performance, celebrating its 25th season, a perennially popular summer theater experience in Western Massachusetts.  July 4-August 7, 2016 on the beautiful campus of Amherst College.  KoFest presents five weekend-long theatrical performances, two special single events, and three 6-day intensive theater workshops.  
MAJESTIC THEATER SUMMER CHILDREN’S THEATER presents THE FROG PRINCE: A Musical
 
Monday, July 11 - 10am, 1pm & 6:30pm
Tuesday, July 12 - 10am, 1pm
Wednesday, July 13 - 10am, 1pm
 
Sunday July 31 - 2pm & 6:30pm
Monday, August 1 - 10am, 1pm & 6:30pm 
Tuesday, August 2 - 10am, 1pm
Wednesday, August 3 - 10am, 1pm

The Majestic will also present children’s theater this summer.  “The Frog Prince: A Musical," "A Little Princess" and "Treasure Island" will be presented in July and August.  Admission is $9 per person.  Those who purchase tickets to all three plays at the same time join "The Snack Club," which entitles them to get free snack at each play.
AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
GCCtheater - Greenfield Community College
Calling All Local Playwrights!

Local playwrights' one-act play submissions for GCCtheater's Fall Production. Submissions due by July 1. 
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Phantom Sheep and Agawam Public Library present a Comedy Improv Teen Workshop
"Laugh Out Loud at the Library"

June 30 at 6:00 PM
Agawam Public Library

Phantom Sheep is proud to return to the Agawam Library presenting their hands on workshop for teens teaching techniques and skills used by improvisers to think quickly, boost confidence, and create hilarious scenes on the spot!

Free for ages 12-18
For more information and to sign up, please call the Youth Services Librarians at 413-789-1550 ext. 3
Facebook event here
Ko Festival of Performance presents KoFest Workshop: "Dynamic Space / Poetic Object" with Nick Ularu

July 4-8, 2016; 10am-4pm daily
Webster Hall, Amherst College

KoFest Workshop Week 1: DYNAMIC SPACE / POETIC OBJECT: The Intersection of Theater Design & Installation with Nic Ularu, Romanian designer & theater artist

Working in both traditional and non-traditional spaces, and with traditional and non-traditional materials, we will shape visual inspiration into rendered ideas, visual metaphors, and theatrical objects. Participants will embrace the dynamic energy of these forms, as they collaborate to expressively transform the spaces that will be used by the Ko Festival for the opening weekend of eclectic performances, celebrating 25 years of innovative work. 

Workshops are geared for participants of all levels of experience, whose ages have run from 18-85.

FMI about all three KoFest 2016 Workshops: www.kofest.com /413.427.6147
Register here.
Happier Valley Comedy presents "What's Your Status" Beginner/Intermediate Improv Workshop with Claire Zick

Saturday, July 9 11:15-1:15 PM
Hadley, MA

PREREQUISITE: Completion of Zen of Improv 1 or beyond or the equivalent from another comedy school.

Status plays a key role in scene interactions. Keith Johnstone thought playing with status transformed scene work, made scenes more authentic and actors more observant. In this class, we will explore the concept of status, play with status shifting, and identify our own tendencies towards low and high status characters.


REGISTER NOW.
More information here.


About Claire Zick: CLAIRE ZICK moved to West Hartford, CT from Seattle where she was an ensemble member at Unexpected Productions, Seattle's first and most reputable improv theater company. She performed weekly in Seattle Theatresports™ and long-form shows such as HAROLD, SPOKEN, BLANK SLATE, FAKESPEARE, THE MELANIE GAME, CAMPFIRE, A(N) IMPROVISED CHRISTMAS CAROL, BLACK-EYED BLONDE, IMPRESSIONISTIC HORROR, and improvised versions of movie genres. She was also the Assistant Artistic Director and only female member of Sisters of Sal, a long-form improvisational comedy troupe that won Seattle Cage Match and performed with Ryan Stiles. Claire runs the improv program at Playhouse on Park and has taught hundreds of improvisers the art of "Yes, and". She produces, directs and performs in shows throughout Connecticut including the CT Cage Match series, Improvaganza, and Franklin's Peaches and Friends. She has studied improv at Unexpected Productions, Magnet Theater, and UCB Theatre. Her instructors have included Randy Dixon, Matt Smith, Jill Farris, Armando Diaz, Christian Capozzoli, Rachel Hamilton, Ed Herbstman, James Eason, Keith Johnstone and Mick Napier. Locally, she has been seen in VANITIES, ISN'T IT ROMANTIC, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE and LEND ME A TENOR as well as other scripted and improvised productions in theaters around the state. 

if you are unable to register online, please emailinfo@happiervalley.com
Happier Valley Comedy presents Transformation: Advanced Improv workshop with Claire Zick

Saturday, July 9 2:00-5:00 PM
Hadley, MA

PREREQUISITE: Completion of at least one Advanced Improv class or equivalent at another comedy school.

Come learn how to add more physicality in your improv and explore the magic of transformation. Learn how to transform scenes seamlessly without editing, build group mind, and deepen your awareness and connections with your scene partners. Come prepared to move!

REGISTER NOW.
More information here.

About Claire Zick: CLAIRE ZICK moved to West Hartford, CT from Seattle where she was an ensemble member at Unexpected Productions, Seattle's first and most reputable improv theater company. She performed weekly in Seattle Theatresports™ and long-form shows such as HAROLD, SPOKEN, BLANK SLATE, FAKESPEARE, THE MELANIE GAME, CAMPFIRE, A(N) IMPROVISED CHRISTMAS CAROL, BLACK-EYED BLONDE, IMPRESSIONISTIC HORROR, and improvised versions of movie genres. She was also the Assistant Artistic Director and only female member of Sisters of Sal, a long-form improvisational comedy troupe that won Seattle Cage Match and performed with Ryan Stiles. Claire runs the improv program at Playhouse on Park and has taught hundreds of improvisers the art of "Yes, and". She produces, directs and performs in shows throughout Connecticut including the CT Cage Match series, Improvaganza, and Franklin's Peaches and Friends. She has studied improv at Unexpected Productions, Magnet Theater, and UCB Theatre. Her instructors have included Randy Dixon, Matt Smith, Jill Farris, Armando Diaz, Christian Capozzoli, Rachel Hamilton, Ed Herbstman, James Eason, Keith Johnstone and Mick Napier. Locally, she has been seen in VANITIES, ISN'T IT ROMANTIC, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE and LEND ME A TENOR as well as other scripted and improvised productions in theaters around the state. 

If you cannot register online, please email info@happiervalley.com
KoFest Workshop Week 2: FIRST PERSON: Crafting Your Story for Performance with GERARD STROPNICKY

July 11-16, 2016; 10am-4pm daily
Webster Hall, Amherst College

Come with a story. (Or two. Or three.) Leave with a performance. (Or two. Or three.)

Come without a story, and by the end of Day One, you’ll discover more compelling material than you’d ever think possible. “After all,” says theatre artist Gerard Stropnicky, “people are simply wonderful walking story anthologies.”

Gerard Stropnicky has been working in story for twenty years. This award-winning director has helped create compelling work from interview, gathered story, letters to the editor, even advertisements, recipes and children’s games. He’s written, directed and acted in countless styles; he’s coached diverse thousands of performers, professional and not, young and old, from every walk of life, to bring their stories to vivid life.

We’ll play with monologue, and help each other create scenes. We’ll experiment with styles, colors and tones. We’ll make ourselves vulnerable to our stories, and to one another. The workshop will draw on the work of the late playwright and poet Jo Carson, Stropnicky’s long-time creative partner, as well as other practitioners of Story Work, and will culminate with a showing. This on-your-feet writers and performers story intensive is designed to release the enormous potential energy already alive in you and your story.

Workshops are geared for participants of all levels of experience, whose ages have run from 18-85.

FMI about all three KoFest 2016 Workshops: 
www.kofest.com /413.427.6147
Register here.
KoFest Workshop Week 3: CREATING SOLO PERFORMANCE: Amusing the Muse (or – The Art of Juggling the Truth) with Sara Felder

July 18-23, 2016; 10am-4pm 
Webster Hall, Amherst College

In this workshop – a Ko favorite – we will develop performance material using objects, character work, monologues, humor and material from our own lives. In the safe space of our hands-on laboratory, we will search our memories, lies and truths in the joyful and rigorous work of creating fun and meaningful solo theater. We will write, try on different performance styles, create images, play with objects, investigate characters, consider different narrative voices, find the humor in the pain (and vice versa,) experiment, fail, laugh, support each other and surprise ourselves.
This workshop happily greets all explorers — from first-timers to seasoned professionals. Theater folk, dancers, musicians, storytellers or those who are simply curious are welcome to join us as we amuse (or schmooze, or cruise) the Muse.

This workshop sold out the previous times we’ve offered it. Early registration recommended.

Workshops are geared for participants of all levels of experience, whose ages have run from 18-85.

FMI about all three KoFest 2016 Workshops: 
www.kofest.com /413.427.6147
Register here.
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