Thursday, December 2, 2021

Pioneer Valley Theatre News December 2, 2021

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter
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December 2 - 22, 2021


Opening this week at Silverthorne: Bright Half Life. Read Chris Rohmann's review in the Valley Advocate here.

Lots of great opportunities coming up - check the full listings below for work at the Academy of Music, auditions with LAVA and Silverthorne, or a call for playwrights from Play Incubation Collective - and more!


The next issue will include events from  December 9 - 29. 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
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

The Shakespeare in Paradise Festival
by Robert Hubbard

From the article: 

Robert Hubbard: Could you share the story of how the Shakespeare in Paradise Festival came about? I understand that you both left the Bahamas for a time to teach at a college in western Canada, where you had an opportunity to visit the Oregon Shakespeare Festival?

Nicolette Bethel: We were so skeptical of a Shakespeare festival in Oregon. We were like, “Never heard of it. Don't know what it’ll be.”

Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com
LIVE PERFORMANCES
DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER AT THE MAJESTIC THEATER
DECEMBER 2 - 5
 
The second show of the Majestic’s 24th Season opens this Thursday.  Don’t Dress for Dinner, a madcap French farce written by Marc Camoletti (who wrote Boeing Boeing, a recent Majestic production) runs through December 5.
 
The comedy is set in renovated French farmhouse two hours from Paris.  Bernard is hoping to send his wife Jacqueline off to her mother’s place for the weekend so that he can romance his mistress Suzanne, a Parisian model. He’s also hired a Cordon Bleu cook, Suzette, as an alibi, and he’s invited his friend Robert to dinner. Jacqueline, though, is becoming suspicious, and in a phone conversation with Robert it’s revealed that they, too, are also having an affair. Suzette, the caterer, arrives, and Robert introduces her as his mistress. Bernard is furious because of the mix-up, and Jacqueline feels betrayed because she thought she was Robert’s only mistress. Suzette is convinced, for a little extra money, to go along with the deception — but then Suzanne arrives and she now has to pretend she’s the cook!
 
The cast includes Jack Grigoli (Bernard), Scott Renzoni (Robert), Bethany Fitzgerald (Jaqueline), Elizabeth Pietrangelo (Suzette), Alexandra O’Halloran (Suzanne) and Shaun O’Keefe (George).  Danny Eaton is producing director, Stephen Petit is the director/production manager and Greg Trochlil is set designer.  Costume designer is Dawn McKay, stage manager/associate producing director is Sue Dziura, and Dan Rist is lighting designer.
 
In accordance with regulations from the Actors' Equity Association, an American labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance, the Majestic Theater requires all attendees to wear masks at all times (except when eating and drinking), to be fully vaccinated against COVID, and to present their vaccination card (or a photo of it on their cell phone) upon arrival.  At this time, no food or drink may be brought into the theater, and needs to be consumed in the Majestic CafĂ©.

Tickets range in price from $31 - $37 per show, and are available for sale at the box office in person Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday 10am – 1pm; or on the phone at (413) 747-7797. 

Bright Half Life
By Tanya Barfield
Directed by Gina Kaufmann
December 3-11, 2021
Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center
289 Main Street
Greenfield, MA 01301

This intimate and celebratory production is under the direction of Gina Kaufmann, who directed Silverthorne’s  The Revolutionists in 2019.  She is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and a Professor of Theater (Acting and Directing) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  She is also a feminist who prioritizes social justice in her directing work and in her season planning. Throughout her thirty-year career as a director, almost every project Gina chose to work on was selected at least in part by her desire to wrestle with gender, gender hierarchies and revising form and expectations to open up our minds to new models of relating to one another.

Featured in this production are Kyle Boatwright in the role of Vicky, and Katie Mack, a member of the Actors Equity Association, as Erica. Boatwright is a Pioneer Valley-based musician, actor, coach, and creative collaborator. She was last seen on the Silverthorne stage in The Revolutionists (2019) and recently directed Smith College’s production of Stoop Pigeons. This will be Katie Mack’s first time working with Silverthorne, but Valley theater-goers will remember her performances at The Majestic in West Springfield. Ezekiel Baskin is stage manager and John Iverson will provide technical direction.

Moving seamlessly from head-over-heels romance to marriage to children to skydiving and so many little intimacies in between, the two characters, Vicky and Erica, span decades in an instant and slowly, delightfully, allow us to know and love them. Bright Half Life is a joyful and complicated chronicle of a deeply committed lesbian relationship.

“If these women, these maybe soul mates, could somehow suddenly see what the years will bring, would they still go out on that first date?” The New York Times


Tickets are available at the door and via Eventbrite.

Friday, December 3, 10, 2021 @ 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 4, 11, 2021 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 5, 2021 @ 3:00 PM

Masks and Proof of Vaccination required for admittance. Click here for more details.

https://silverthornetheater.org/event/bright-half-life/

Buy Tickets for Bright Half Life

Virtual Theater

 

Portland Stage Company presents
Searching for Mr. Moon
by Willy Holtzman and Rich Topol
now-December 5

Featuring Broadway star Richard Topol. At the moment of his daughter’s birth, Rich Topol searches for a father to replace the one he lost and finds two: his famous father-in-law Lukas Foss and himself. Foss’ eclectic music underscores Rich’s funny and poignant journey to fatherhood. Searching for Mr. Moon is a play for anyone who has contemplated the mysteries of parenthood and mortality or is curious about the lives of contemporary classical music icons and Broadway stars. Tickets: $20-$68.

Welcome to the Completely Ridiculous Open House

You are cordially invited to the Completely Ridiculous Open House!

On Monday December 6th, from 6-8pm EST we are opening up our doors to any and everyone who might be interested in getting to know who we are and what this whole Completely Ridiculous Conservatory is all about.

Meet some faculty, chat with some alumni, learn about all we have to offer, and more!

To join us on Monday December 6th, please click here and register for free on Eventbrite. The Zoom link will be sent out to registrants the day of. You can also visit our Facebook Event Page. And, if you’re interested in learning about the conservatory ahead of time, just head on over here!

Hope to see you soon!!

Click here to Register!
AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES

The Academy of Music Theatre seeks applications for the position of Box Office Attendant, a part-time position. This is a full-year, hourly position with a regular weekly schedule and variable event schedule that averages 20-30 hours/week across the year. $18-$20/hr.

The Box Office Attendant is responsible for controlling all aspects of ticket sales for the Academy of Music Theatre.  The Box Office Attendant works closely with the Box Office Manager, Theater Manager, and renters of the Academy to make sure tickets are accurately sold and customer and renter concerns are addressed in a courteous and professional manner.

The Box Office Attendant is responsible for daily operation of computer software and online ticketing systems, answering phone calls and emails, observing proper box office policies and procedures, and following customer service best practices.  

The Box Office Attendant must be able to respond to customer complaints and deal with any issues that arise at the ticket counter or via patron feedback.

Work activities include:

  • Undertaking the daily sales of tickets, managing held seats, arranging pre-sales, etc. and entering data as required

  • Working directly with the ticketing agency to create new seating charts and fulfill other special requests as needed

  • Providing periodic reports and customer lists to Academy renters

  • Maintaining the box office cash drawer; reconciling end-of-shift revenue, preparing deposits, and maintaining records; and maintaining proper change for the cash drawer

  • Managing and responding to patron complaints regarding any box office-related issues

  • Undertaking any other responsibilities relating to ticketing services, as self-identified or requested

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • 1 year of relevant experience working in a box office (or similar customer service) environment 

  • Basic knowledge of box office protocols and procedures

  • Excellent customer and client service skills

  • Working knowledge of online ticket sales platforms and credit card procedures

  • Strong math and data skills

 

Education:

  • High School diploma or work experience in related field


Other Skills:

  • Cash handling experience

  • Strong computer and Internet literacy

  • Proofreading and editing

  • Attention to detail

  • Time management

 

The successful applicant must be available to work during the Academy’s standard box office hours, Tuesdays through Fridays from 2:30-6:00pm, as well as taking on the majority of event shifts (generally nights and weekends) in the box office. 

This is a full-year, hourly position with a regular weekly schedule and variable event schedule that averages 20-30 hours/week across the year.

Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining relevant experience to Box Office and Marketing Manager, nclark@aomtheatre.com 247 Main St., Northampton, MA 01060. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through December 10th.

LAVA Arts Center
The Bridge of Her Nose
December 12 at 1:00 PM,
December 19, 5-7 PM
Greenfield, MA

Mature teens and adults are warmly invited to audition for a play about Israel/Palestine to be staged as three dramatic readings the evening of February 26 and the afternoon and evening of February 27 at the LAVA Art Center in Greenfield. Please contact christinebenvenuto@hotmail.com and andreack2013@gmail.com.

Collaborating with LAVA and area theater artists, Temple Israel Greenfield will present a play in two parts, one a work of fiction, the other drawn from the transcripts of Compassionate Listening sessions conducted in the West Bank and Israel. We aim to increase understanding and empathy, and promote positive dialogue about the Middle East while considering our own urgent need for effective communication here at home. Performances will be followed by facilitated conversation with the audience.

People of all backgrounds, communities and identities urged to audition as we strive to create a multicultural, multigenerational ensemble cast.
SILVERTHORNE THEATER ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR MARCH 2022 SHOW –
ADMISSIONS, by Josh Harmon

Silverthorne Theater seeks Equity and Non-Equity actors to audition for Admissions, by Josh Harmon, directed by Mark Dean, with performances three weekends, March 11 through 26, 2022, at Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield, MA. Auditions will be on Sunday, December 12 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm, and Monday evening Dec 13 from 6-9pm at The LAVA Center, 324 Main Street in Greenfield, MA.

Synopsis:
Sherri Rosen-Mason is head of the admissions department at a New England prep school, fighting to diversify the student body. Alongside her husband, the school’s headmaster, they’ve largely succeeded in bringing a stodgy institution into the twenty-first century. But when their only son sets his sights on an Ivy League university, personal ambition collides with progressive values, with convulsive results. A no-holds-barred look at privilege, power, and the perils of hypocrisy.
Casting Breakdown:
Sherri Rosen-Mason – early fifties, very liberal secular Jewish woman.  Head of Admissions for Hillcrest.
Bill Mason – Early fifties, very liberal WASP, Sherri’s husband.  Head of the School at Hillcrest.
Charlie Luther Mason – Seventeen, Bill and Sherri’s son, a senior at Hillcrest.
Ginnie Peters – Fifties, very liberal WASP, stay-at-home mom, her son is Charlie’s best friend.
Roberta – Early seventies, white, works in development at Hillcrest.

Actors should prepare a 60-90 second contemporary monologue, and will read from scenes from the play.
To sign up for an auditions time slot please use the following link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-hIovwotaPUTAKI7V4_BLQI7kcUNE8GgYsQsp7Wk5j8/edit?usp=sharing

Although advance sign up is preferred, walk-ins will be welcome. If unavailable to be seen in person at this audition, please email markdean6@gmail.com.
Audition sides will be provided. Rehearsals will begin in early February 2022.

Auditioners and performers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID19.

For any questions contact markdean6@gmail.com or call 413-923-4992.  Auditions are open to Equity and non-Equity performers; all roles are paid.
STAGE MANAGER WANTED:
Silverthorne Theater Company, Greenfield, MA, is seeking a stage manager for their Spring 2022 production, Josh Harmon’s Admissions, directed by Mark Dean – at a New England prep school, Sherri Rosen-Mason and her husband fight to diversify the student body - but when their only son sets his sights on an Ivy League university, personal ambition collides with progressive values, in a no-holds-barred look at privilege, power, and the perils of hypocrisy.
Rehearsals begin February 1st, performing from March 11 through 26 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 Mark with interest and/or questions: markdean6@gmail.com, or 413-923-4992.
CASTING UNTITLED ANNIE BAKER FILM
Written and directed by Annie Baker, originally from Amherst, Massachusetts, and Pulitzer-Prize-winning playwright of The Flick.
Produced by Dan Janvey - Academy-Award-winning producer of Nomadland and Beasts of the Southern Wild - and BBC Films.
The film follows 11 year old Lacy, her mother Janet, and the three people who come into their lives over one summer in 1991.
CASTING
LACY - 8-12 years old, any ethnicity. She is herself. Curious, observant, straightforward. Solid in her uniqueness, lives in her imagination. Odd birds welcome.
PIANO TEACHER - female piano teacher, 50-75 years old, any ethnicity. She teaches the Suzuki method to the main character, Lacy (8-12 years old).
ALSO SEEKING EXTRAS of all ages!
Acting experience is not necessary.
FILMING BEGINS SUMMER 2022 in Western Massachusetts.
Casting directors Eléonore Hendricks and Abby Harri are teaming up for their third film together in search of the young lead for Untitled Annie Baker Film. They specialize in street casting, finding non-professional actors, and discovering new talent.
TO APPLY / CONTACT
For more information and/or if you’re interested in you or your child being considered for the film, please apply at: untitledanniebakerfilm.com
password: Lacy
For any questions, contact Eléonore and Abby at: anniebakerfilmcasting@gmail.com

The Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), which specializes in the art of performing, teaching, and directing staged combat/theatrical violence has announced a new initiative, “Expand, Educate, Empower” (EEE), providing free stage combat training to underserved communities. It is an effort by the SAFD to make stage combat training accessible to underserved artists and theatre professionals. This program is a nationwide search for educational organizations and institutions, performing arts groups, and community or professional theatres that are interested in participating. 

The program offers 30 hours of training in one weapon discipline by a teacher and assistant certified by the SAFD. There is also an opportunity to certify in the said weapon discipline at the end of the course, also free of charge. If you would like to request a specific individual that is a member of the SAFD that you already have a relationship with, you are welcome to do so on the application. 

I thought this may be a program fitting your organization/theatre, and would highly encourage you to apply. For more information and the application portal, please visit https://safd.org/train/development/eee/. You may also contact development@safd.org for any questions.

CALL FOR PLAYWRIGHTS 

WHAT: Play Incubation Collective (PIC) 2022 Developmental Residency WHEN: February-Oct 2022 (Applications due Dec 31 2021) 

WHERE: Rehearsals will take place in Hampshire County (playwrights should expect to regularly attend local in-person rehearsals) 

Play Incubation Collective (PIC) seeks submissions of scripts-in-progress by local BIPOC and/or queer playwrights. Play Incubation Collective is a hub for new play development based in Western Massachusetts. PIC’s mission is two-fold: 

1.To provide long-term, process-driven opportunities to develop new plays that challenge the status quo 

2. To build a collaborative network of local theater artists and supporters 

PIC’s process of play development is unique. We invite incoming playwrights to spearhead their vision with the support of our collective of theater makers. We bring a talented team of actors, dramaturgs, designers and more to collaborate with each writer on the development of their piece, and all of the participating artists help contribute to PIC’s monthly administrative duties.The specifics of what that development looks like are open to the writer. (more details here.) The 2022 PIC writer-in-residence will receive a stipend to go along with this 9-month residency, access to monthly rehearsal space, and a culminating public presentation of their play in the fall of 2022. 

Submission Form Due by DEC 31, 2021 

Submitted scripts do not need to be complete. Playwrights must submit a minimum of 20 pages, and the play’s cast should not exceed 10 characters. For this development opportunity, PIC is focusing on plays, not musicals. 

Finalists will be notified in mid-January and PIC will be in touch to schedule an interview. Estimated Time Commitment: 10 hrs/month rehearsal time, 2-4 hrs/month admin time More Info: www.playincubation.org 

sarah@playincubation.org, rachel@playincubation.org

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
the Drama Studio
January and December Workshops at Drama Studio!
12/4, 12/5, 01/15, 01/22
41 OAKLAND STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA, 01108
This winter, we are offering ON-SITE workshops for students of all ages!

Join one or more of the Drama Studio winter workshops and learn about our theater conservatory for ages 6-18. We will offer the following workshops:

Costume Character
Ages 9-14
December, 4th

Sketch Comedy
Ages 13-18
December, 4th, and 5th

Shadow Night at the Drama Studio
Ages 9-18
December, 5th

Stage Combat
Ages 13-18
January, 15th
Ages 9-12
January, 22nd

For more information, visit www.dramastudio.org/workshops
Apply Now to the Completely Ridiculous Conservatory!

Winter Session
January 10th - March 5th, 2022

Spring Session
April 4th - May 28th, 2022

Starting in January, and then again in April, a dynamic ensemble of Completely Ridiculous students will have the opportunity to engage in globally minded professional actor training, all from the comfort of home!

The CRC is a one of a kind program, in that it was built entirely for Zoom, AND each faculty member not only has extensive training in their individual discipline of actor training, but also a strong foundation in the world of clown, games, play, and physical acting - having all trained with Master Clown and Commedia Teacher Christopher Bayes at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, and/or The Pandemonium Studio.

At the end of the 8 weeks, Completely Ridiculous students will walk away with:

A greater sense of direction, as well as concrete and actionable next steps for each individuals career.

•A more enthusiastic and curious body.

•A larger capacity to dream and dream big.

•A greater comfort with spontaneity, freedom and play.

Students will also gain a deeper understanding of who they are as unique, individual artists and what they bring to an ensemble, as well as a whole new set of skills and professional contacts to apply to their career and/or ongoing education.

Don’t miss your chance to work with our ever expanding community of international artists and apply today!

Click the link below for all of the info and COME PLAY!

Apply Now!
Submit your workshop, class, audition, performance, or any other theatre opportunity here!
Pioneer Valley Theatre Companies
Academy of Music Theatre

Amherst Community Theater

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

Mount Holyoke College Rooke Theatre

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
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