Pioneer Valley Theatre News July 21, 2021

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser July 22 - August 11, 2021 One of the drawbacks of all this outdoor theatre: the weather. A few of the Berkshires performances were cancelled due to thunderstorms. Fingers crossed for the show I'm going to outside this week - and the show I'm working next month. Check out Chris Rohmann's review of some of these shows that have been changed by weather - or Actor's Equity - here. The next issue will include events from July 29 through August 18. 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 Ko Festival of Performance & Serious Play Theatre Ensemble present MOVING WATER LIVE July 22-25, VIRTUAL July 30-August 1 Tickets Available YOUR EVENT HERE $5 per week for your poster and ticket link in top billing! Email me to reserve your dates. Click to Access: Pioneer Valley Theatre Google Calendar Click to Access: Pioneer Valley Theatre Personnel Spreadsheet THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS: from Howlround Creating a Platform for BIPOC, Deaf, and Hard-of-Hearing Artists by Yura Sapi From the article:  Yura Sapi: Imanalla mashikuna. Imanallatak kanki. Hello, friends. How are you? Welcome back to season two of the Building Our Own Tables podcast. I’m your host, Yura Sapi, recording from Embera native lands on the Afro-Indigenous Pacific coast of Columbia in Nuquí, Chocó in the Gulf of Tribugá. The Building Our Own Tables podcast is produced for HowlRound Theatre Commons, a free and open platform for theatremakers worldwide, and by Advancing Arts Forward, a movement to advance equity, inclusion and justice through the arts by creating liberated spaces that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com LIVE PERFORMANCES LIVE SHOW SOLD OUT - but you can join the waitlist - or get your tickets now for the virtual performances during the second weekend!    Serious Play Theatre Ensemble and Ko Festival of Performance present MOVING WATER   In the face of rising sea levels, a new devised theatre piece about climate change, & how water fragility shapes our human interactions… LIVE: July 22-25, Thurs.– Sat. at 8pm, Sun. at 4pm with a talkback   Workroom Theatre | APE@Hawley | Arts Trust | 33 Hawley St., Northampton   WEB: July 30–Aug 1, Fri. & Sat. at 8pm, Sun. at 4pm with talkbacks via online through Ko Festival of Performance Multi-camera recording by Northampton Open Media  ALL TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT https://kofest.com a 2-year collaboration by Serious Play Theatre Ensemble  written by Eric Henry Sanders  direction: Sheryl Stoodley  original music: Jonny Rodgers  set & video design: Robin Doty  lighting design Sabrina Hamilton  with actors: Kermit Dunkelberg, Ximena Salmerón, Will Swyers Questions: seriousplaytheatre@gmail.com or 413-588-7439 And check out the new Serious Play website: seriousplay.org Chester Theatre Company THE NICETIES Wednesdays at 3, Thursdays at 3 & 7:30, Friday at 7:30, Saturday at 7:30, Sunday at 3. Thru July 25. Hancock Shaker Village, 1843 W Housatonic St, Pittsfield, MA A barnburner of a play written by Eleanor Burgess, THE NICETIES explores issues of race, power, and history on an elite college campus. http://chestertheatre.org/ Due to COVID, Chester Theatre Company is presenting its 2021 season in a large marquee tent on the grounds of Hancock Shaker Village. Silverthorne Theater Company presents A Broadway Cabaret August 6 & 7 at 7:30 p.m. August 8 at 3:00 p.m.   What better way to celebrate the return of live theater than with music? In our first major post-pandemic production, Silverthorne Theater Company presents A Broadway Cabaret, onstage August 6-8 in The Perch at Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in downtown Greenfield. Nine singer/actors will perform tunes from Broadway’s Golden Age shows - solos and ensemble numbers presented for audiences seated at cabaret tables arranged for maximum comfort and following whatever state guidelines for indoor performance are in place at that time. A Broadway Cabaret is a fundraiser for Silverthorne which, like all other live theaters, saw drastically reduced revenues during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020.  In recognition of their extraordinary service provided to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, a portion of tickets for each performance have been donated to local health care workers. Join us as we celebrate how far we have come as a community and the return of live theater! Tickets available via Eventbrite. https://silverthornetheater.org/special-events/ VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES SILVERTHORNE THEATER ANNOUNCES RADIO PRODUCTION FUNDRAISER -  FOXFINDER Silverthorne Theater brings back the days of radio drama with its production of Dawn King’s haunting play, Foxfinder. A fundraiser for the theater, the show will be broadcast one time only at 7:30 pm on Saturday, July 24, on the Company’s YouTube channel. Listeners will be sent the link to the special broadcast with their donation of any size. Details can be found on the Silverthorne website at https://silverthornetheater.org/special-events   Veteran director Ellen Kaplan directs an all-star cast of actors, including Frank Aronson, Jarice Hanson, Stephanie Carlson and Kevin Tracy as they bring the futurist tale to life. Cate Boram is sound designer, and Sophia Pichanick stage manages the production. All are donating their services in the interest of assisting Silverthorne as the theater recovers from the past year of shuttered venues.   Foxfinder is a play of suspense, a thriller, a story of power, zealotry and self-denial, that puts a sinister shadow on our very near future.  It is a study in power, in suppressed sexuality, in a fascist mindset manifested in a young boy sent on a mission to force compliance, deny feelings, and – to eradicate foxes, which we cannot see but which are everywhere.  Originally set in rural England, Kaplan has moved the action to the equally appropriate American farm country where at some future time, climate change has severely impacted the profitability of the farmers. Government regulations and a carefully orchestrated fear-mongering campaign stretch their already taut emotions to the breaking point. Though Silverthorne Theater managed to continue working during the COVID-19 shutdown with several well-received virtual productions, the normal sources of revenue to cover the expense of maintaining personnel and office space was drastically reduced. The proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly to ensuring the start-up of our 2021-22 season can proceed as planned. From the New England New Play Alliance: Virtual Theatre and Audio Plays Cape Cod Theatre Project presents God’s Spies by Bill Cain July 22 and 24 directed by Hal Brooks It is the pandemic of 1603 and theaters are closed for a year. Shakespeare is quarantined with a young Puritan lawyer and a mature streetwise prostitute, and the plague opens his eyes to the mysteries of life and death. Will he thrive creatively, or will his new play be as disappointing as his last? Tickets: $25. Serious Play Theatre Ensemble and Ko Festival of Performance present MOVING WATER   In the face of rising sea levels, a new devised theatre piece about climate change, & how water fragility shapes our human interactions… WEB: July 30–Aug 1, Fri. & Sat. at 8pm, Sun. at 4pm with talkbacks via online through Ko Festival of Performance Multi-camera recording by Northampton Open Media  ALL TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT https://kofest.com a 2-year collaboration by Serious Play Theatre Ensemble  written by Eric Henry Sanders  direction: Sheryl Stoodley  original music: Jonny Rodgers  set & video design: Robin Doty  lighting design Sabrina Hamilton  with actors: Kermit Dunkelberg, Ximena Salmerón, Will Swyers Questions: seriousplaytheatre@gmail.com or 413-588-7439 And check out the new Serious Play website: seriousplay.org Ko Festival of Performance presents HAWAII FIVE-G: Canary in the Gold Mine PITI THEATRE COMPANY Written and performed by Jonathan Mirin Directed by Deanna Fleysher Sound Design & Stream Engineering by M Florian Staab Videography by Hannah Brookman ONLINE: AUGUST 6- 8 | Fri. & Sat at 8pm, EST | Sun. at 4pm, EST Live, online post-show discussions with collaborators & guest experts, hosted by Trenda Loftin, follow each online performance. Hawaii Five-G was sparked by the appearance of mysterious symptoms, as performer Jonathan Mirin’s partner became increasingly sickened by electro-hypersensitivity (EHS), a.k.a. “microwave sickness.” As her condition worsened, Mirin found himself compelled to become a public health advocate, activist & petitioner in a landmark legal case against the FCC. The production is highly theatrical and employs many of the tricks and techniques theatre makers have been devising in this COVID-driven age of “Zoom Theatre.” Desperate to make theatre during the pandemic, Mirin raids his son’s Lego stash and creates a series of appropriately tiny Hawaii Five-O sets. His parody of the hit 70’s crime series is an eco-justice drama called Hawaii Five-G. The pandemic Lego movie goes viral, bringing nations together to re-imagine a future where even Monsanto re-structures as a non-profit. When faced with impossible odds, can humor, love and pieces of interlocking plastic prevent catastrophe? Tickets and more information. AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES MAJESTIC THEATER ANNOUNCES JULY AUDITION SCHEDULE FOR 2021-2022 SEASON Auditions for both Equity and non-Equity performers for roles in the upcoming 2021-2022 Season will be held in July according to Producing Director Danny Eaton.  This will be the 24th Season of performances since the Majestic was re-opened for live theater in March 1997.   Auditions will be held on the following dates:   Wednesday, July 21 – 6:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Thursday, July 22 – 6:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Friday, July 23 – 6:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 24 – 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.   Non-Equity performers will need to schedule their in-person auditions at the Majestic during those times.  To book an audition time, performers must call the theater at (413) 747-7797.   Equity performers are required to audition via video submission to be sent to dannye@majestictheater.com by July 15.  For more information about the video submission, please visit www.actorsequity.org  Callbacks will be conducted in-person at the theater.   Actors will be auditioned for parts in the following productions: “Don’t Dress for Dinner” (comedy) which runs October 28 – December 5, 2021, “Betty & The Patch” (contemporary comedy/drama) which runs January 6 – February 13, 2022, and “Blithe Spirit” (comedy) which runs February 24 – April 3, 2022.   Non-Equity performers new to the Majestic should prepare a brief monologue of their choice, and bring a picture and resume.  They will also be asked to read from prepared script selections.    People auditioning and performing at the Majestic must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.     The Majestic endured a temporary closing beginning in March 2020 in response to the pandemic.  The theater will re-open on August 7 and present the remaining dates of “The Pitch,” the drama that was mid-run when the theater closed.  Silverthorne Theater Company, Greenfield, MA, is seeking a stage manager for their fall 2021 production, Charles Ludlam's The Mystery of Irma Vep - the classic quick-change parody of Gothic horror and monster movies, directed by Chris Rohmann. Rehearsals begin the last week of August - mostly three rehearsals per week until late September - opening on October 1st for three weekends at the Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield.  Responsibilities include facilitating rehearsals and production meetings; keeping book; maintaining schedules, contact lists & other materials; maintaining communications among cast and crew; and overseeing tech rehearsals and performances. There is a stipend of $750 for the position. Contact Chris with interest and/or questions: Skyscraper@crocker.com or 413-532-5321. Model Needed for Children's Book Two Views Kids is a new book publishing venture concentrating on philosophy for children. The book we’re currently working on is called Mattie and Rabbit and we’re looking for a Mattie character to use as a model. Here is the website, it’s not yet live: http://twoviewskids.joannepinatel.com/   Mattie is a gardener and needs to be about 7 and willing to pose in the garden, digging, pruning, etc. We need an image of her happy and jumping, funny pictures of her bored and waiting for spring, hanging upside-down on the couch, maybe drooping over the arm in a funny way, maybe cross-legged reading a book. We will need her shoe size so we can provide pink boots. She will need a winter/spring coat for some shots and a wide brimmed hat for others. If she doesn’t have a hat we can supply it. Some pictures will be in front of a green screen some outside or with props like a wheelbarrow, rake, etc.   We are looking for a budding young actress that would be interested in this project. She can be of any ethnicity but not much older than 7 or a petite 8 or 9 that could pass for 7. The photographs will be processed in photoshop to look like illustrations.   Philip Doyle is the photographer. Mattie’s parent(s) will be required on site to sign a release and the shoot shouldn’t take longer than 2 hours.   Among other things, Phil takes pictures for Mass Audubon, Arcadia Day Camp at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary and Jericho in Holyoke. They will be happy to supply a reference. If you’d like to see some of his work go here: https://www.thelazyexplorer.com/   The model and parents can keep any pictures from the shoot and we can also provide family or individual portraits at a time/place that is convenient for them if interested. We’re all fully vaccinated but will wear masks. We are based out of Easthampton and have lived here for 20 years. If you are interested, email a picture of ‘Mattie’ to joanne@joannepinatel.com and she will get back to you. Thank you. Academy of Music Theatre is hiring a Technical Director Description: The Technical Director (TD) has the daily responsibility for the theatrical technical operations of the Academy, including lighting, sound, set design and construction, and coordinating necessary theatrical maintenance. The Technical Director will act as crew chief, determining number of stagehands and scheduling staff for all productions. The TD will act as liaison with the steward of I.A.T.S.E. Local 232, communicating the number of stagehands required and will oversee union crew during production. The TD is responsible for all technical operations during all shows. Duties and responsibilities include: · Determines the necessary technical supports, such as lighting, sound, staging, and special needs, necessary for events and performances presented at the facility in advance of production dates. · Engineers and provides for set ups, maintains and operates all house systems including but not limited to rigging, lighting, projections and sound systems for theater, dance, music, and other productions and projects; assists guest designers and artists with technical matters. · Engineers, supervises and assists with set and stage construction, installation and management. · Oversees stage crews and back stage staff; responsible for hiring and firing non-I.A.T.S.E stagehands and for maintaining records of job performance for all stage hands. Makes recommendations for training. · Orients Academy renters and visiting productions to safety, technical characteristics and other areas of facility operations; facilitates the use of the technical facilities by the resident company and others engaged by or renting the Academy. · Monitors the condition of and maintains all Academy theatrical equipment including lighting, sound, projection and rigging equipment; arranges for the repair and replacement within budget; performs preventive maintenance on equipment; prepares annual budget for equipment purchases and maintenance. · Assists with the preparation and control of Academy production budgets; maintains inventory and orders specialized supplies. · Provides estimate for production costs prior to rental contract execution and for Academy productions; provides invoice for work performed to Executive Director. · Assists Front of House Manager with facility maintenance. · Any other tasks assigned by Executive Director Qualifications: Qualifications: At least 3 years of relevant experience with a performing arts venue Working knowledge of current techniques, methods and procedures of theater, dance, and music productions and presentations including stage, set, sound and lighting design and implementation; stage management; computerized lighting systems; stage carpentry; appropriate safety precautions and procedures. Ability to lift and carry 50lbs Excellent communication and interpersonal skill Master Electrician BFA in Technical Theater or commensurate experience Experience working in a union house preferred How To Apply: Please send résumé, letter of interest and 3 letters of recommendation to Executive Director Debra J'Anthony at djanthony@aomtheatre.com. Apply by: August 20, 2021 Salary: $54,000 WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Hampshire Shakespeare Company presents Summer Theater Workshop August 2-6 starting at 9am Online & Williston In this half day program students will learn age-appropriate storytelling and performance skills from home for the first few days, and work together to present on Friday. Come practice acting, public speaking, empathy, creative writing, prop making, costume designing, resiliency, and play (just to name a few!) with us. More information Hampshire Shakespeare Company presents Young Company Two Day Workshop August 12 and 13, 10 am - 4pm Williston Northampton School Two day theater lab exploring Shakespeare's Macbeth led by Hannah Simms and Adam Lee Secor. Ages 13-18, no experience needed. Performance for invited audience at end. This is an outdoor event. https://forms.gle/SQNKR4qLrikgTwXeA Submit your workshop, class, audition, performance, or any other theatre opportunity here! Pioneer Valley Theatre Companies Academy of Music Theatre Arena Civic Theatre A.C.T. Youth Theatre Black Cat Theater Chester Theatre Company CitySpace Cold Spring Community Theatre Completely Ridiculous Productions Drama Studio Double Edge Theatre Eggtooth Productions Exit 7 Players Ghost Light Theater Greenfield Community College's Theater Department Hampshire Shakespeare Company Happier Valley Comedy Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center Ja'Duke Center for the Performing Arts K and E Theater Group Ko Theater Works/Ko Festival of Performance Majestic Theater No Theater Northampton Community Arts Trust Northampton Playwrights Lab PaintBox Theatre Panopera Pauline Productions Performance Project Phantom Sheep Players Play Incubation Collective Real Live Theatre Red Thread Theater Royal Frog Ballet Serious Play Theatre Ensemble Shakespeare Stage Shea Theater Arts Center Silverthorne Theater Smith College Department of Theatre St. Michael's Players Starlight's Youth Theatre, Inc. Strident Theatre TheatreTruck Turbulent Times Theater UMass Department of Theater UMass Theatre Guild Unity House Players Valley Light Opera Ware Community Theatre Westfield Theatre Group Wilbraham United Players Want to know even more about events in the Pioneer Valley and beyond, including reviews, interviews, and previews? Pioneer Valley Theatre Google Calendar In the Spotlight, Inc. Berkshire on Stage Stagestruck ArtsBeat TV/Radio and News Column 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|*