Thursday, September 29, 2016

Pioneer Valley Theatre News September 29, 2016

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

 September 29 - October 19, 2016


It's the final weekend to catch Beauty and the Beast at Arena Civic Theatre. Don't miss it! Check out the poster & link below to purchase tickets.

A pair of free tickets for each performance of Trump Card (performed by Seth Lepore in the Eastworks building) will be raffled in the New England New Play Alliance Newsletter. A raffle will be held a few days before each show. To enter, subscribe to the free weekly New Play Alliance Newsletter and watch the Ticket Giveaway section for the raffles. And see the listing below for more information about the show!


The next issue will include events through October 26. Submit upcoming events via the link below or by emailing me before Tuesday at midnight. Any questions, comments or feedback? Email me at pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com

Submit Your Theatre Event
Purchase your tickets here!
THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS:
from Howlround
The Creative Commons, or "Commonly Creative"

by Cheryl Davis
From the article: 

Any playwright or other theatre artist ought to have some familiarity with the copyright law, not only to protect their own rights to their creative work, but also to understand what kind of work they can use created by somebody else—no one works in a vacuum. Artists are constantly riffing and expanding upon the images and ideas that they see and hear around them. But as a general matter of copyright law, only the person who creates the work has the right to copy and/or use it. Does that mean that when you quote something written by another writer, or sample music for your score, or incorporate someone else’s artwork into your design, you’re infringing their copyright? Does it mean that no one can ever use your work without your permission? What if you find it on the Internet—isn’t that free for public use? The lawyerly answer is: “It depends.”

Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com
PERFORMANCES

Eggtooth Productions, The Arts Block & 
Franklin Community Co-op offer

A new immersive adaptation of Shakespeare’s
The Winter’s Tale 

Directed & Designed by John Bechtold with Music by John Sheldon

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2016 at 7:30 pm with a 2 pm matinee on Oct. 2.
 
Explore the rich stories of The Winter’s Talethrough intuitive, instinctual, & imaginative ways, as we break the boundaries between the real & the imaginary across 5 floors of Arts Block in Greenfield, MA where the physical space is metamorphosed to transfix, transform, & transport audience members through their senses as they experience the action & environment.

The Winter’s Tale is one of jealousy, redemption, reunification, and the healing power of Time. Audience members enjoy a uniquely personal experience, with a cast of fine local actors including dancers, singers and guitar music by John Sheldon.

Costumes & Production co-design by Julia V. Whalen; Stage manager, Deb Banks McIntosh, Lights by Downright Productions with Troy David Mercier, Linda Tardif, Reynolds Whalen, Stephen Eldredge, Jack Golden, Atticus, Monte, & Enzo Belmonte, Marina Goldman, Richard Skoler, Andrew Plimpton, Ian Emerson, Fiona Herter, Lindel Hart, Katie Spurgin, Katherine Adler, Michayla Robertson-Pine, Emma Ayres, and John Sheldon. 


Tickets online.

The Majestic Theater presents MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott
September 29-October 23

West Springfield, MA

Million Dollar Quartet” tells about the real-life events of Tuesday afternoon, December 4, 1956 at Sun Records' Memphis studio. Rockabilly star Carl Perkins was there working on a revamped version of the blues song “Matchbox,” when fellow Sun recording artists Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley drifted into the studio, and the quartet took part in a loose jam session that producer Sam Phillips had the foresight to record. A local reporter who was called and sat in headlined his newspaper article which ran the next day, “Million Dollar Quartet.”

Cast members include Jay Sefton (Sam Phillips), Colin Patrick Ryan (Elvis Presley), Corbin Mayer (Johnny Cash), Brian Michael Henry (Jerry Lee Lewis), Dan Whelton (Carl Perkins) and Kaytlyn Vandeloecht (Dyanne).

The play will be directed by the Majestic’s Producing Director Danny Eaton. Mitch Chakour is the music director, and set design is by Greg Trochlil. Stephen Petit is production stage manager, and associate stage manager is Aurora Ferraro.

For additional information, visit the website
Arena Civic Theatre Presents
Disney’s Beauty & the Beast


Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice
Book by Linda Woolverton
Directed by Dawn Mayo
Musical Direction by Ted Trobaugh
Choreography by Sue Dresser

Presented 9/30 & 10/1 at 7:30 PM and 10/2 at 2:00 PM

The Ruth B. Smith Auditorium at the Orange Town Hall
6 Prospect Street
Orange, MA 01364

Tickets $16 General Admission, $13 Seniors/Students, $10 Children and are available at the door or by calling to reserve at (413) 233-4368 or online

Step into the enchanted world of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, an international sensation that has played to over 35 million people worldwide in 13 countries. Based on the Academy-Award winning animated feature, this spectacular musical tells the story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. Be Arena Civic Theatre’s guest for this beloved musical!

Facebook Event.
The Academy of Music Theatre presents
Best of Valley Voices Story Slam

Saturday, October 1 at 7:30 PM
Academy of Music Theatre
 
he Academy of Music Theatre and New England Public Radio are teaming up to present their second Best of Valley Voices. Four Valley Voices Story Slams were held at the Northampton Brewery during the winter and spring of 2016, where the audience selected the top three stories. These top stories by twelve local storytellers will be shared on the Academy stage to compete for the top prize – Best of Valley Voices.

A story slam is a competition based on the art of first person narrative storytelling. It puts emphasis on content and performance, encouraging storytellers to focus on what they’re saying and how they’re saying it. It’s an exercise in crafting stories within a set time limit, without notes or props, and it’s great entertainment. Best of Valley Voices will feature the top winners of each story slam, a seasoned raconteur, and two local emerging musicians.

Wishbone Zoe will appear as featured musician, the avant-indie project of artist Saera K, who specializes in areas of junkyard rock, crashitybishbash, and the distracted storytelling of important things. She has played regionally and nationally at rooms such as Club Passim, Signature Sounds’ Parlor Room and Melodica Fest and has shared the bill with such artists as The Suitcase Junket, And The Kids, Bella’s Bartok, and Heather Maloney.

The 2015 Best of Valley Voices Story Slam winner, Susanne Schmidt, will return to share a new story on stage during the tabulation of ballots.

Tickets and more information online
The Seth Show presents 
TRUMP CARD

Adapted from the monologue by Mike Daisey, Performed by Seth Lepore
Directed by Linda McInerney of Eggtooth Productions

Tuesday October 4th
and November 1st
THE WEST END (across from Riff's)
EASTWORKS
116 Pleasant St Suite 160

When Seth Lepore found out that Mike Daisey made the script for his new standing room only show, TRUMP CARD, open-source and adaptable, he knew he had to jump at the chance. The Guardian hails the show as “...how an artful lie illuminates what we believe to be the truth more than any actual accounting of objective reality.”

Using the bones of Daisey’s script as a solid foundation, Lepore chops up and remixes his own personal story into the fold, threading in the political quagmires of his home state of Rhode Island. From the love/hate relationship the people of Providence had with Mayor Buddy Cianci, to Lepore’s second cousin switching from Catholic priest to Mayor of his home town, Lepore conveys how the cult of personality is nothing new. How, in fact, Trump’s timing couldn’t be better... for the worse. If anything, we created all this monster together. 

Linda McInerney of Eggtooth Productions directs this adapted version. 

Advanced tickets are in limited batches and start at $8 and go up in two dollar increments until they reach $14 online. Get tickets now to save money. $15 at the door. Buy Tickets

Contra-Tiempo: Urban Latin Dance Theater’s Auga Furiosa!
Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 7:30PM
Fine Arts Center Concert Hall

The newest work from this bold, multilingual Los Angeles based dance company challenges audiences to confront the harsh realities of race in our country. Inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Oya, the Afro-Cuban deity of wind and storms, Agua Furiosa highlights Contra-Tiempo’s unique urban-Latin movement vocabularies to create a visually stunning and thought-provoking performance.
Please Note: There will be a Strobe Light in use during this performance. 
Dessert: Stay for a post-concert talk with the company. 

Tickets available online.
$35, $30, $20; Five College and 17 & Under: $10; Five College Faculty & Staff: Please call the Box Office
Silverthorne  Theater Company presents The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) 
Arts Block 4th Floor in Downtown Greenfield
October 7, 8, 14, and 15 at 7:30 pm, with a 2:00 pm matinee performance on Saturday, October 15.
 
AKA The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr(Abridged), by Adam Long,  Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield (The Reduced Shakespeare Company), this comedy is a rollicking irreverent attempt to represent all 37 of Shakespeare’s works (poems included) in one evening’s entertainment. Three actors fly about the stage, now re-enacting the history plays as football with the crown tossed downfield to whichever contender can catch it. Othello is rendered in rap, and all the comedies are condensed into one quick take on happily-ever-after. During the second act of the play, Hamlet is attacked from all sides, finally winding up being performed (in a very shortened version) backwards.
 
The Silverthorne production features the talents of veteran Valley comedian Steve Henderson* (member, Actors Equity Association) with rising stars Julian Findlay and Schuyler Evans. David Rowland directs. 

Tickets are available at the door or online. General admission is $19; students/seniors 65+ $17.  Pre-sale discount tickets will be available at the World Eye Bookstore, 156 Main Street, Greenvield, beginning September 15. Reserve over the phone at 413-768-7514.

Audience involvement is a given with special attention paid to the squeamish. As often said, “If you like Shakespeare, you’ll like this show. If you hate Shakespeare, you’ll love this show!” The Today Show. “Pithier than Python. Irresistible.” New York Times.
Happier Valley Comedy presents SCRIPTED/UNSCRIPTED 
Saturday, October 8 at 8:00 PM
Arts Block, Greenfield

Happier Valley Comedy Show Monthly comedy show presents SCRIPTED/UNSCRIPTED Saturday October 8th. Arts Block (289 Main St., Greenfield) at 8:00pm. (Doors open at 7pm.) Tickets $13 at the door and in advance online at www.theartsblock.com. For ticket information, call 413-774-0150, for show info emailinfo@happiervalley.com. Facebook event.
Happier Valley Comedy presents More Improv, More Better 
Saturday, October 8 at 10:00 PM
Arts Block, Greenfield

More Improv, More Better Jam & Showcase: Open improv jam for everyone and anyone to play and watch improv games lead by Happier Valley Comedy friends. Plus a showcase set featuring an up-and-coming improv team. Saturday, October 8th. Arts Block (289 Main St., Greenfield) at 10-11pm. (Directly following the Happier Valley Comedy Show.) Free show (one drink minimum.) For moreinfowww.happiervalley.com or info@happiervalley.com.

Facebook event.
Smith College Department of Theatre presents
New Playreading Series
FRUIT IN WINTER

written and directed by
Emily H. Atkinson
Thursday, October 13 at 7:30 PM in Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre

24 years ago, Audrey Fisher sold her soul to the devil. Then, she did something even worse, and the reckoning has finally come due. A lesbian love story, a demonic rivalry, and a tale of ambition, magic, and self-loathing, Fruit in Winter is a Faustus for the modern age, and a story for anyone who has felt that she would have to sell her soul to have it all.

Free and open to the public.

Happier Valley Comedy presents the Happier Family Comedy Show
Saturday, October 15 at 4:00 PM
Eastworks Community Room

Happier FAMILY Comedy Show: Monthly improv comedy show for the whole family. Best for 5-12 year olds and their adults. Saturday, October 15th at 4pm.  Located at Eastworks' Community Room (Suite 160) 116 Pleasant Street, Easthampton. Tickets at the door: $10/Adults, $5/Kids (3 yrs and under free), $30/Family Max. Purchase tickets online or at the door (*cash or check only at the door please*) For more info visit www.happiervalley.com. on facebook.

Dean Parker Productions presents Mr. Mambo
Saturday, October 15 at 8:00 PM
Academy of Music Theatre

Two-act musical comedy featuring the 80’s pop music of the recording artist Tiffany. Three high school seniors spend spring break in New York City competing on a dance competition reality show. Impressionable Kristen Aimes is convinced that the dynamic host for “Dance America,” Eric Archer – also known as “Mr. Mambo” – is infatuated with her. She is unaware that Eric’s interest in her is actually a publicity stunt, and that her secret admirer is really her best male friend, Johnny. Kristen and her friends each have a shot at the $1 million prize – until Eric’s vengeful ex-girlfriend, Amber, schemes to get them thrown off the show.

More info online.

Serious Play Theatre Ensemble presents
White Rabbit Red Rabbit
by Nassim Soleimanpour
A.P.E. Gallery, 126 Main Street, Northampton MA
October 15, 16, 17, 2016, 8:00 pm

No set, no rehearsal and the script is unsealed by the one actor in the show who reads it for the first and only time.   White Rabbit Red Rabbit has been called a play. But it's a lively, global sensation that no-one is allowed to talk about. Its award-winning playwright, Nassim Soleimanpour, is Iranian. His words have escaped censorship and are awaiting your audience. Slyly humorous and audaciously pointed, this 'theater entertainment meets social experiment' is unlike anything, and will make you question everything.
 
Since its premiere in 2011 at the Edinburgh Fringe, "White Rabbit Red Rabbit" has been translated into more than 20 different languages and been performed over 1000 times by some of the biggest names in theatre and film including actors John Hurt, Stephen Rea, Sinead Cusack, Marcus Brigstocke, film director Ken Loach, and in the states by Nathan Lane, Alan Cumming and Whoopie Goldberg, to name but a few.

Readers in Northampton: Jessica Litwak (10/15),  Kermit Dunkleberg (10/16),  and Patrick Gaughan (10/17)
Springfield Armory presents WOW for Women
October 16 at 12:00 and 2:00 PM
Springfield Armory, Campus of STCC College, Springfield, MA

WOW - Women Ordnance Workers were employed at the Armory during WWII, making guns and rifles for the Allies. Women did the work of what, then, "man's work". In 2 one-woman theatre performances, nationally award winning actress/writer Judith Black will take the stage, starring in both plays, one a comedy and the other a drama about WOW. 
Between these performances, Albany Berkshire Ballet will stage its own version of "Rosie the Riveter" in a short program. FREE
UMass Amherst Department of Theatre presents The Misanthrope

Written by Molière, adapted by Constance Congdon ‘82G
Directed by Mary Corinne Miller

Rand Theater
Wednesday, October 19, 2016, Half-Price Preview at 7:30 pm
Friday, October 21, 2016, Opening Night at 7:30 pm
Saturday, October 22, 2016, Performance at 7:30 pm
Wednesday, October 26, 2016, Student Matinee at 10:00 am
Thursday, October 27, 2016, Performance at 7:30 pm
Friday, October 28, 2016, Performance at 7:30 pm
Saturday, October 29, 2016, Performance at 2 pm
Saturday, October 29, 2016, Performance at 7:30 pm

Buy tickets

Why put on a comedy written 350 years ago? Because these characters are still funny today — we see them on our TV screens in many contemporary comedies. Alceste is the neurotic introvert who simultaneously craves isolation and connection. His object of desire is Célimène, a social butterfly who carefully curates her image in a way any Instagram star would envy. She’s got Alceste and the painfully hip Oronte on the hook, along with countless others, while her best frenemy, Arsinoé, attempts to manipulate the situation so she can win Alceste for herself. Come enjoy a backstage pass to a live studio taping of the comedy “The Misanthrope” and see how pointedly Molière’s snarky observations about love and friendship translate to relationships played out in the context of our screen-obsessed modern-day world.

AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
Perform with South Hadley's Black Cat Theater!

Black Cat Theater is looking for a male actor (50+) to play Mr. Brownlow in their production of Oliver! Performances are November 17-20, rehearsal schedule flexible. If interested and available please contact blackcattheater@gmail.com or call 413-563-6023.
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.
CALL FOR DIRECTORS: “SPELLING BEE” AND “NOISES OFF”

Black Cat Theater, a community theater group based in South Hadley, MA, is seeking letters of interest and resumes for the positions of Artistic Director and Music Director for their Spring 2017 production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” AND for the position of Director for their June 2017 production of “Noises Off”.

Email a letter of interest and resume to blackcattheater@gmail.com by Saturday, October 1.  Please be sure to state which show you are applying for.
UMass Theater's production of Hedda Gabler will hold auditions earlier than originally scheduled and invites community members to participate. Auditions will now be held on Oct. 2 and 3 from 6-10:30 p.m., with callbacks scheduled for Oct. 4 & 5, all in Fine Arts Center room 204 on the UMass campus.

Groundbreaking at the time of its premiere, yet condemned for its portrayal of a “vicious, heartless, cowardly, unmoral, mischief-making vixen,” Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler has since come to be regarded as one of the most dimensional character portraits in theatrical history. Set within the 24 hours after Hedda and her husband return from their honeymoon, the play’s desperate, thrilling momentum puts us face-to-face with Hedda the woman: in all her biting wit, ironic humor, violent desperation and simmering rage.

Auditions for Hedda are open to theater majors & community members of all ages, race, ethnic origin, ability, sexual orientation or gender identification.

Actors who would like to audition should prepare a short (approximately a minute-long) monologue from any play written between the 1860s-1950s. Those auditioning are also highly encouraged to read the full play (any adaptation or translation).

Additional information will be posted on the UMass Theater audition page, including perusal materials expected to be added shortly. 
Actors can sign up on the Call Board in the UMass Department of Theater, and actors who will not be able to visit UMass prior to auditions can call the main office at 413-545-3490.
ECA+ ANNOUNCES ONLINE GRANT APPLICATIONS, GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP

Easthampton City Arts+ (ECA+) announces new online applications for the upcoming 2017 grant cycle. Applications are being accepted for programming in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences for projects benefitting the residents of Easthampton. The deadline for applications is October 17, 2016. ECA+ has also scheduled a free Grant Writing Workshop on Sept. 14, 2016 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 43 Main St., Easthampton 01027. Attendees will learn about guidelines, priorities, and the new online application process.

“Moving to online applications will make the process much easier for everyone, especially applicants,” said Christy Crutchfield, ECA+ Grants Committee Chair. “We can’t wait to fund innovative and engaging projects in 2017.” Online applications will be available on September 1, 2016, and ECA+ will also announce their funding allocation at that time.

Each year the ECA+ Grants Committee, a Local Cultural Council, selects projects that strengthen and diversify arts and culture in the community. Projects must occur during 2017 and priority will be given to proposals that utilize Easthampton spaces and resources. Applications, however, will not be denied solely on this funding priority and will be evaluated based on local guidelines and those outlined by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Funding for the ECA+ Grants Committee is provided by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). Previously funded projects Bear Fest (2009), Art in the Orchard (2012), REACH (2013) and Unbuttoned (2015) have received recognition as Gold Star recipients, exemplary projects reflecting the mission of MCC. For more information please see easthamptoncityarts.com/grants.

Easthampton City Arts+, formed in 2005, enriches lives through the integration of arts, culture and community and promotes revitalization and protection of Easthampton’s cultural assets. ECA merged with the Easthampton Cultural Council & Art Walk Easthampton to form ECA+ in 2011. Easthampton City Arts+ is funded in-part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Hampshire Shakespeare Company is looking for an experienced season producer to oversee the renowned Shakespeare Under the Stars 2017 summer season. Join us for the chance to bring the Bard’s work to the great outdoors and facilitate the creation of theatrical experiences from the most profound to the most playful.

The producer will assist in hiring, creating a budget, and planning and overseeing the two Mainstage shows and Young Company show. Contract begins immediately and completes at the end of the season in late August. Please send resume and cover letter to hampshire.shakespeare.company@gmail.com. Accepting applications through October 22.

Producer duties:

  • takes overall responsibility for functioning of the season including fundraising and presence in community
  • manages overall budget with an eye toward end-of-season net
  • directly responsible for overall personnel management, including the hiring and supervision of TD, PM, administrative staff, and publicity
  • oversees mentorship of production assistant program
  • creates and ensures distribution of contracts in conjunction with board of directors
  • provides updates to the board on process of all shows, attends production meetings as needed

Qualifications:

  • strong communication skills
  • experience in budget management
  • non-profit arts administration experience
  • conflict resolution
  • experience working with young people
  • willingness to take initiative
  • flexibility
  • team player
  • good sense of humor

Compensation: $3,000-$3,500 (commensurate with experience)

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Happier Valley Comedy present Workshop: Authentic Presentations Through Laughter: The "S.T.A.G.E." System to Public Speaking in Your Personal Voice

Saturday, Oct. 8th, 2-5pm (3 hours)
Hadley, MA
$40

(This ALL LEVEL workshop is open to one and all! No experience necessary.)

Great presenters possess a mix of humor, truth, and like-ability that come from self-awareness, practice, and knowledge of their audience. So how do you arrive at the pinnacle of presentations? Creating a performance that will keep eyes fixed on you, minds eager to hear more, and thoughts of new possibilities upon your final words are possible if you have the tools to build it. In this interactive workshop, you will learn Angela Lussier's signature STAGE System* for engaging your audience in a way that gets them to know YOU and your unique style while also leaving them with a compelling message crafted for them. You'll learn Pam Victor's "Through Laughter" approach to explore how easy-to-learn, non-performance improvisation training exercises can strengthen the vital muscles necessary for getting you relaxed and ready to present with confidence. And then you'll find out how the two approaches work together to create a memorable and meaningful performance. Over the course of this three-hour workshop, you will build a five-minute presentation and five people will get the chance to practice in front of the group while getting feedback from workshop leaders Pam and Angela.

*S.T.A.G.E. stands for:
S=Style
T=Truth
A=Art
G=Group
E=Energy

About your teachers:
Angela Lussier: "Stop waiting and start creating." Thats Angela's philosophy. She doesn't just walk her talk; she runs full-sprint likely wearing some brightly colored outfit. Most recently, she created the Speaking School for Women to train creative, entrepreneurial women to become well-paid, in-demand speakers. Even though she was a shy girl, it didn't stop her from becoming an award-winning speaker with 500+ presentations under her belt including 2 TEDx talks. She is the host of the Claim the Stage podcast and her work has been featured on ABC, NBC, Forbes, and Entrepreneur. She lives in Holyoke, MA with her husband, Nick, and two cats, Gratitude and Billy Bob.

Pam Victor: "You are enough." That's Pam's philosophy. (Or at least one of them!) With the THROUGH LAUGHTER corporate development program and Zen of Improv classes, Pam happily spends her days (and most evenings) helping people believe they are enough...to trust in their "you-ness" (the beautiful thing that makes you you)...to pay attention to the moment and just take the next little step...to quiet their judgmental voices...to practice being of service to the moment and each other. This workshop is a product of the THROUGH LAUGHTER Program, which takes easy-to-learn, non-performance exercises that are use used to train improvisers, and applies them specifically to the professional setting in order to bring remarkably powerful growth to your business, school, or group and to the personal setting in order to show you that you're right and to make you righter.

Tickets here. If you would rather REGISTER BY PHONE, call Brown Paper Tickets directly at 1-800-838-3006. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO REGISTER ONLINE OR BY PHONE, PLEASE CONTACT SCOTT atschool@happiervalley.com to complete the process, old school-style. Facebook event here.
Happier Valley Comedy presents Communication Through Laughter
Greenfield Community College
October 13 at 9:00 AM

We hear a lot but how much do we really listen? More often than not, issues at work are born out of moments of missed communication. Let's strengthen your listening and speaking muscle. This workshop uses easy-to-learn improv exercises to hone the all-important skills of paying attention acutely, listening without judgment, and saying what you really mean in order to make you a more effective communicator in the workplace. And we're doing it all in a fun, laughter-filled workshop with surprisingly powerful results.

Register here. This class is part of the Workforce Development Program at GCC. The class is $105.
Happier Valley Comedy presents Improv Workshop: Spolin Improvisation with Hal Peller

Sunday, October 16th
12:30pm - 4:30pm (4 hours)
$45
Hadley, MA

"[Viola Spolin's approach] is not an acting technique; it is learning to respect the invisible." - Paul Sills, Founder of The Second City and Viola's Spolin's son

Hal Peller has been a facilitator of "Spolin Improvisation" since 1981, and we're lucky enough to have snagged him while he's here in the Happy Valley. Viola Spolin wrote the book on Improvisation for the Theater, first published in 1963, which consisted of over 220 games and exercises. This is considered to be the main origin of modern improvisation. The games have changed little over the years. Hal Peller been using this same book for over 35 years and has found it to be near foolproof for work with groups of all ages and experience levels. The games are designed to solve different problems that actors and improvisers face in every performance and to trip the player into their intuitive zone: where you know what to do without ever having the experience before. Also, you will learn the basics of space work which will help you in creating the stage picture for you and your fellow players. 

ALL LEVELS: This workshop is appropriate for all levels of players, from beginners to advanced students. 

ABOUT YOUR TEACHER: 
Hal Peller is currently facilitating Improvisation Workshops in New York City.  His improvisation workshops were nominated for an INNY Award, Best Improvisation Workshop. He has also coached the Harold Team Eskimo Dance for which he was also nominated for "Best Coach." Hal has directed the Little Britches (an all women comedy group) and Brooklyn Improv Group (BIG).  He directed The Fine Young Comedians, a teen sketch comedy group that performed at Stand-Up New York and featured on ABC FAMILY TV. Hal facilitated workshops at the Broadway Theater Institute including Improvisation for the Theater, Theater Games for Non-Actors, Theater Games for Teachers (Staff Development), and Corporate Management Training.  Hal coaches stand-up comedians and theater companies throughout the world. Hal studied with Paul Sills, David Shepherd, Del Close and Martin Harvey Friedberg of Chicago's Second City Theater.

Register here. If you would rather REGISTER BY PHONE, call Brown Paper Tickets directly at 1-800-838-3006. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO REGISTER ONLINE OR BY PHONE, PLEASE CONTACT SCOTT at school@happiervalley.com to complete the process, old school-style. Facebook event here
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|*